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Organizing Riders, Saving America’s Economy & Democracy

Join Greg LeRoy, Executive Director of Good Jobs First, in this webinar as he discusses the importance of organizing riders for the growth of the economy and democracy in America. Learn about the impact of corporate tax breaks, case studies of subsidized business relocations, and the success of rider organizing. Find out how you can get involved and become part of the movement.

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Organizing Riders, Saving America’s Economy & Democracy

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  1. Organizing Riders, Saving America’s Economy & Democracy Greg LeRoy Executive Director, Good Jobs First Center for Transportation Excellence Webinar ~ 4/10/12

  2. Good Jobs First:A Resource for Transitand Smart Growth Advocates • Independent, non-partisan, non-profit founded in 1998, based in DC • Promoting accountable economic development and “smart growth for working families” • www.goodjobsfirst.org

  3. It’s the Jobs, Stupid! • Corporate tax breaks for “economic development” are pro-sprawl, anti-transit • Sprawl is anti-union (not just anti-transit, anti-UFCW)

  4. 1,500 State Job-Subsidy Programs – yet None Links Job Creation with Workplace Access via Transit

  5. Region-Specific Case Studies • Twin Cities (twice) • Michigan (seven metros) • Chicago • Cleveland + Cincinnati • Buffalo • [now seeking next region]

  6. Twin Cities Metro Area: Subsidized Business Relocations (Mostly TIF), 1999-2003

  7. Twin Cities Metro: Subsidized Business Relocations’ Impact on Job Access via Transit

  8. New Flash! New ATU President Larry Hanley, dynamic reform leader, is hell-bent on transit rider organizing

  9. 2010 & 2011 Community-Labor “Boot Camps”

  10. Rider-Organizing Manual

  11. Rider-Organizing Manual • Eight case studies, exemplary organizing • Six common elements of success • Organizing checklists with links (community, labor, environmental/EJ, business, smart growth) • National directory of all known rider groups

  12. Boot Camp Takeaway #1:Too Few Established Rider Groups • Some accomplished groups (e.g., NYC, LA, Twin Cities, Bay Area, Washington state) or rising (e.g. Boston) • Two networks: TEN and TRPT • Crisis coalition-episodes in various metros • But lack of capacity in many systems (e.g., DC, Atlanta, Philly, Denver, Southeastern & Southwestern states)

  13. Takeaway #2: High Interest from Rainbow of Groups • Community/faith-based, community-labor, bicyclist, environmental/EJ, Citizen Action, disability, consumer, student • Keen interest in working with ATU locals • More rider groups founded recently (due to more funding crises)

  14. Takeaway #3: National Resource Gaps • CFTE = ballot initiative expertise • TEN = local organizing, federal advocacy • TRPT = EJ capacity building • But lots of needs: more boot camps, new organizing in many systems, more money, more connections to existing resources • Need for pro-active & strategic targeting

  15. AnnouncingAmericans for Transit Founders: ATU and Good Jobs First Mission: Create, strengthen and unite transit rider-organizing campaigns

  16. Structure • Independent non-profit 501 (C) (3) • Seed-funded by ATU w/ $100K; Search for ED now underway • ATU, Good Jobs First as top board officers • Other founding board members: Dr. Beverly Scott and Bill Lynch • Good Jobs First = fiscal agent & landlord • Companion 501 (C) (4) able to lobby

  17. Potential Targeting(in addition to above-stated gaps) • Systems with budget storms on horizon • Systems with budget opportunities to grow • Key states and Congressional Districts • States fighting voter suppression

  18. Voter Suppression Red = law introduced. ID = Photo ID enacted. Star = proof of citizenship enacted. Pen in hand = voter registration restricted. Envelope = early/absentee voting restricted. Gavel = executive order makes it harder to restore voting rights.

  19. Time for Our Own“Transit-Industrial Complex” • Transit Workers & Unions (& Agencies) • Transit Riders • Transit Vehicle Manufacturers & Unions • Pro-Transit Employers

  20. Contact Us! Greg LeRoy Executive Director Good Jobs First goodjobs@goodjobsfirst.org www.goodjobsfirst.org 202-232-1616 x 211

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