Page 6 The Skanner CAREERS EDITION June 1, 2016 CAREERS Metro Expands Boundaries and Income Requirements of FOTA Program M ore residents of North, North- east and Southeast Portland now have the irst opportunity to apply for jobs at the Oregon Convention Center, Portland Expo Center and Portland’5 performing arts venues as a result of a community task force recommendation to broaden the boundaries and income requirements of Metro’s First Opportunity Target Area (FOTA) program. The FOTA program gives lower in- come earning residents of a particular area of North, Northeast and Southeast Portland irst opportunity, ater inter- nal hires, at jobs at these Metro venues. The new boundary includes the fol- lowing zip codes: 97024, 97030, 97203, 97211, 97212, 97213, 97216, 97217, 97218, 97220, 97227, 97230, 97233, 97236, 97266. The annual household income lim- it is now set at $47,000 for households of one or two people, and $65,000 for households of three or more people. The original income limits were set at $24,000 for an individual and $40,000 for a household of four. The FOTA Task Force recommenda- tions were made in October 2015, for- mally adopted by the Metro Exposition and Recreation Commission in Janu- ary 2016, and became efective Feb. 1, 2016. The Task Force recommended the changes to respond to demograph- ic shits and economic changes due to gentriication and displacement of the communities in the original FOTA boundary area. The Task Force had three big con- cerns about its charge of advising Met- ro on the revision of the FOTA policy and program. First, it felt that these irst opportunity jobs needed to be re-targeted to individuals and families in those City census tracks that have the highest number of minority and low-income residents today. Second, it felt that the eligible household income thresholds needed to be expanded so that Metro’s higher paying job oppor- tunities could also be available to low- er-income working families, as well as families in poverty. And third, the Task Force recommended investing more resources in building strong working relationships with community organi- zations that service the targeted popu- lations so its outreach is more efective. “Metro’s revised FOTA policy, as ad- opted, addresses all of the Task Force’s critical concerns in a meaningful way, and increases the opportunity for more minority and low-income indi- viduals to have irst shot at competing for the living wage jobs that open up at Metro in the future,” commented Jeana Woolley, a member of both the origi- nal FOTA Task Force, and the current FOTA Task Force. The FOTA program was created in 1989 to provide economically disadvan- taged residents within an area near the Oregon Convention Center (OCC) irst opportunity to apply for employment at the OCC. Later, Metro expanded the program to include Portland Expo and Portland’5 venues. Health Care Employers Host Career Fair June 29 Employers, training providers and educators from around the Port- land metro area will be present at a health care and long-term care fare to help jobseekers launch a career in health care or long-term care. Jobseekers will be able to meet individuals who are currently employed in a variety of positions within this ield and hear their stories, and to net- work with employers who have jobs current- ly available in nursing, caregiving, food prepa- ration, skilled trades, housekeeping or admin- istration. If you are exploring Health Care professions, are currently in Health Care seeking to change your work experience, are currently in school, or changing careers this is the event for you. This free event takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn-Portland Airport, 8439 NE Columbia Blvd. To register, visit https://www.eventbrite. c o m /e / h e a l t h - c a r e - j o b - c a re e r - f a i rl o n g - term-care-registration- 24243587222?aff=e- browse#tickets. Oregon Unemployment Rate Stays at a Low 4.5 Percent PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The state  Employ- ment  Department says Oregon added more than 5,000 jobs in April, keep- ing its jobless rate at 4.5 percent. The agency says Ore- gon has gained 64,100 nonfarm payroll jobs since last April, when the unemployment rate was 5.7 percent. That’s the most jobs Oregon has ever added in a 12-month period. The next closest was in May 1997, when the state added 61,500 jobs. Since April 2015, job growth has been espe- cially strong in construc- tion, health care, and professional and busi- ness services. Oregon’s labor force participation rate rose to 62.6 percent in April, up from 60.8 percent in April 2015. Nine Counties Sue Oregon Over Paid SickLeave Law  ALBANY, Ore. (AP) — Nine counties are suing the state, claiming Ore- gon’s new paid sick-leave law is an unfunded gov- ernment mandate. KEZI-TV reports that Linn County commis- sioners iled the suit Friday in Linn County Circuit Court. They were joined by Douglas, Jefer- son, Morrow, Malheur, Polk, Sherman, Wallowa and Yamhill counties. Since January, Ore- gon law requires  em- ployers  with at least ten employees to provide paid sick leave. Employ- ers  must provide one hour of sick time for ev- ery 30 hours worked, or 1 1/3 hours for every 40 hours worked. The commissioners are asking the state court for its interpretation of the constitution, which states they may refuse to comply with any state law if they aren’t given funding from the state. Linn County Commis- sioner Roger Nyquist said the county can’t af- ford any additional costs. We honor the many accomplishments of African Americans. It is our primary goal as a labor union to better the lives of all people working in the building trades through advocacy, civil demonstration, and the long-held belief that workers deserve a “family wage” - fair pay for an honest day’s work. A family wage, and the beneits that go with it, not only strengthens families, but also allows our communities to become stronger, more cohesive, and more responsive to their citizens’ needs. Our family wage agenda relects our commitment to people working in the building trades, and to workers everywhere. In this small way, we are doing our part to help people achieve the American Dream. This dream that workers can hold dear regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, creed, or religious beliefs. Paciic Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters Representing more than 5.000 construction workers in Oregon State. Do you want to know more about becoming a Union carpenter? Go to www.NWCarpenters.org PORTLAND OFFICE 1636 East Burnside, Portland, OR 97214 503.261.1862 | 800.974.9052 HEADQUARTERS 25120 Paciic Hwy S, Suite 200, Kent, WA 98032 253.954.8800 | 800.573.8333