For Release: Monday, June 14, 2004
For More Information, contact
John Trasviña, DRC, 510-845-3473, ext. 307
Ingrid Tischer, Equal Rights Advocates, 415-621-0672, ext.
381
Affirmative Action
Ban Closes Doors to Women
in Construction Trades, Study Finds
Proposition 209, California's ban on affirmative action
in state contracts, has reversed years of progress for women
seeking jobs in construction trades, according to a new
report by the Discrimination Research Center, a project
of The Impact Fund, and Equal Rights Advocates. The report
recommends repeal of Proposition 209's prohibition on affirmative
action.
"You will not see a sign saying 'No Women Need Apply'
but the message is the same," said John Trasviña,
Director of the Discrimination Research Center (DRC).
"Proposition 209 put a virtual stop to the slow progress
women were making into traditionally male occupations such
as carpentry, electrical work and plumbing," according
to Irma D. Herrera, Executive Director of Equal Rights Advocates
(ERA).
Proposition 209 has thwarted steady inroads women were making
into traditionally all-male blue collar occupations such
as carpentry, electrical work and plumbing. Affirmative
action programs, court decisions, executive orders and advocacy
paved the way for women to be considered fairly for jobs
in the construction trades that provide higher pay and require
less academic education than positions in other industries.
From 1996, when Proposition 209 was enacted, to 2001, the
most recent year with comparable government data, the percentage
of California women in construction jobs dropped by one-third
in spite of increases in the number of available positions.
Construction jobs in California continue to be held almost
exclusively by men, even as the number of jobs increases.
Census Bureau data confirm that in California in 2000, there
were 27% fewer women construction laborers and electricians,
25% fewer women plumbers and 15% fewer women carpenters
than in 1990.
These figures are in stark contrast to other states without
a 209-like ban on affirmative action: the percentage of
women employed in the trades has increased nationally.
The study, conducted over the past two and a half years
with grant support from The Levi Strauss Foundation, confirms
what advocates and experts predicted when Proposition 209
passed. Molly Martin, founder of Tradeswomen, Inc. stated,
"Without affirmative action, we lose access to these
jobs for which we've fought so hard and which hold the key
to the door out of poverty for many poor and working-class
women."
California apprenticeship program enrollment data reveal
a similar sharp decline since the passage of Proposition
209. Women in apprenticeship programs that prepare future
construction workers for journey level status decreased
by 41% from 1994-2003. “Although there have been hiring
gains by some public agencies, notably the City and County
of San Francisco, the absence of women in apprenticeship
training programs sets the stage for the harsh effects of
Proposition 209 to be felt for a long time,” said
Trasviña.
The report found that government monitoring agencies lack
the resources and the data to address hiring discrimination
and disparities effectively.
In addition to advocating the repeal of Proposition 209,
the DRC and ERA propose a series of policy recommendations,
including
* Improving data collection by government agencies regarding
the workforces of public works projects;
* Increasing monitoring, including by periodic site audits,
of the hiring practices of public works contractors;
* Promoting pre-apprenticeship training programs for women
and fostering mentoring relationships between apprentices
and journey-level tradeswomen;
* Building partnerships among apprenticeship programs, community-based
organizations, recruiters and contractors.
* Creating tradeswomen's committees in unions for support,
networking and training.
The study in its entirety along with related research on
employment and women may be found at www.impactfund.org/drc.html.
