The St.
Louis Public Library is keeping its word to get more minorities
workers on its construction sites.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In November, the library’s Board of Trustees met with community organizers and signed an agreement to hire five minority apprentices and increase the minority workforce by 50 percent on the Central Library’s $67 million renovation site.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Since then, the library has hired seven apprentices, and it has increased its minority workforce by 21 percent.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“To increase by 21 percent in the first 30 days, that’s a plus,” said Adolphus Pruitt II, president of the St. Louis NAACP. “It demonstrates that they are serious about keeping their end of the deal.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In mid-December, CLR Consultants, the project manager, provided the NAACP with a list of remaining work items from January to July 2012 on the Central Library project. The list contained 42 separate categories.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>As per the agreement, the library also advertised an RFP for a workforce monitor in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis American and the City Journal.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The workforce monitor will ensure that participation goals for minorities and women are being met.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The library has also approved a revised policy to increase ongoing minority vending opportunities and implement a minority workforce policy for future construction projects.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The agreement came after more than two months of protesting and negotiating from a coalition, which includes AABCA, NAACP, Universal African People’s Organization, the Missouri Black Labor Council/Justice inc., Black United Front, Muhammad Mosque 28 and Metropolitan Congregations United.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>According to the library, 20.5 percent of the $67.5 million renovation project’s contracts for construction costs are going to minority-owned business enterprises (MBE) and 5.12 percent to women-owned business enterprises (WBE). However, there have been no guidelines for minority workforce participation.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The coalition demanded that the construction site’s workforce reflect better the population of the city of St. Louis. African Americans make up 48 percent of the city’s residents, according to the Census 2010.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Potential remaining work items “font-family: Verdana;”>
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Acoustical ceilings
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Cork “font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>flooring
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Carpeting
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Vinyl flooring
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Wood flooring
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Historical custom millwork
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Doors & hardware
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Auditorium seating
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Miscellaneous carpentry
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Wheelchair lift installation
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Historic metal restoration
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Resinous flooring
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Plumbing trim out
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Architectural sheet metal
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Glass railings
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Drywall
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Drywall taping
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Decorative fountains
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Toilet partitions
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Patterned brick pavers
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Granite cladding
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Masonry veneer
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Ornamental plaster
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Glass curtainwalls
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Elevator installation
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Faux painting
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Traditional painting
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Food service equipment installation
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Electrical control wing
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Historic light fixture installation
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Traditional light fixture installation
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Audio visual work
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Electrical wiring
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Mobile shelving
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Fixed metal shelving
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Automatic door operators
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Library detection systems
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Metal lockers
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Mechanical system trim out
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>HVAC balancing
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>HVAC controls
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Ceramic tile
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Granite tile
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Granite tile restoration
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Sliding doors
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Graphic signage installation
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Laborer support
