By Jodie Tillman, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 23, 2012
TAMPA — Three members of the Tampa City Council pledged Monday to look into a jobs proposal requiring companies that receive city contracts or tax incentives to consider hiring from a pool of unemployed Hillsborough County residents before expanding the search.
The proposal came from the Hillsborough Organization for Progress & Equality, an interfaith group focused on social justice issues, including unemployment.
Leaders of the group put the three council members on the spot in front of nearly 1,000 people gathered at Mount Calvary Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Council member Frank Reddick said he'd support the proposal and asked the crowd for help lobbying the rest of the council and Mayor Bob Buckhorn. "I will lead that charge for you," Reddick said.
Council member Lisa Montelione said she, too, supported the idea while council member Harry Cohen said he liked the proposal but wanted to research the issue before committing. He said he wanted to learn, for instance, if the requirement would make a company less likely to locate here.
The three members appearing at the meeting make up less than half of the seven-member City Council.
Under the proposal, an agency such as the Workforce Alliance would maintain a list of qualified unemployed county residents. Companies would have to first check that list to see if anybody meets the new job qualifications.
All three council members supported a second proposal by the organization, which would require those same companies receiving taxpayer money to delay background and credit checks on new applicants until interviews, giving the job seekers a chance to explain their history in person.
Reach Jodie Tillman at jtillman@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3374.