New York – U.S. workers scored a major victory today. This victory was made possible by New York Metropolitan Authority’s (MTA’s) adoption of the U.S. Employment Plan (USEP), a nationwide initiative designed by Jobs to Move America (JMA) to drive up American manufacturing jobs. Today, Governor Cuomo and the New York Metropolitan Authority (MTA) approved a long-awaited award for the manufacturing of up to 1,000 new trains for New York City’s subway fleet. These trains will be built by U.S. workers and will support thousands of jobs for New Yorkers.
The USEP used by MTA in its competitive bid process was crafted by JMA to provide a broad range of incentives for rail car manufacturers willing to create jobs in the United States. Kawasaki’s comprehensive plans to create quality, career paths and American jobs will be made public.
The MTA approved a contract award to Kawasaki Heavy Industries valued at nearly $4 billion for the manufacture of subway cars. According to research from the University of Massachusetts–Amherst, the MTA’s inclusion of the U.S. Employment Plan for this purchase could help support up to 32,000 U.S. jobs across the economy. If done right, this could also mean opportunities for communities that have long missed out on the benefits of transit investments, such as women and people of color.
Jobs to Move America “JMA congratulates Governor Cuomo and MTA staff on leading the country with the most robust adoption of the U.S. Employment Plan program in the nation. We expect commitments to include a plan to create good manufacturing jobs and hiring U.S. workers including those who are often left on the margins such as communities of color, women and people formerly incarcerated” said Jobs to Move America Deputy Director Linda Nguyen.
Transport Workers Union “We’re thrilled.,” John Samuelsen, International President of the Transport Workers Union, said of the award. “The billions of dollars that transit agencies spend every year on new railcars and equipment should to every extent possible be used to create jobs for American families, not jobs overseas”.
Community Voices Heard “We are very excited for a partnership where taxpayer investments bring family sustaining jobs to Yonkers. Our members look forward to partnering with Kawasaki to recruit and train a diverse workforce throughout Westchester, particularly in Black and Latinx communities. This is a great example of how labor, community and government can work together to provide vital opportunities for New Yorkers” said Afua Atta-Mensah, Esq., Executive Director of Community Voices Heard.
ALIGN: The Alliance for a Greater New York “This is a historic moment for our City and State. This public contract for over 1,500 new subway cars is a really important investment in our crumbling infrastructure — one that provides crucial improvements to our subway system and creates good jobs for New York communities.” Maritza Silva-Farrell, Executive Director of ALIGN.