Social and Equity Aspects of Transportation NL Federation of Labour
Outline Overview of the NLFL Putting NL in context Transportation and the Labour Market Movement of workers Challenges and possible solutions 23/06/2015 Atlantic Canada Transportation Forum 2
The NLFL Umbrella organization for 25 affiliated unions / 500 locals 65,000 women and men in every community and every sector of the economy Advocate for all working people on key issues such as OH&S, labour standards, better labour legislation, workers compensation political bargaining Equitable distribution of prosperity stronger social and economic policy that benefits all citizens 23/06/2015 Atlantic Canada Transportation Forum 3
Our geography Population density 1.38/km 2 (St. John s - 238.0/km 2 ) Population - January 1, 2015-526,329 St John s CMA 211,700 NL in Context Rest of NL 314,629 23/06/2015 Atlantic Canada Transportation Forum 4
Unemployment Rate (March 2015) NL - 15.6 Non CMA 13.3 St. Johns CMA - 6.6 Youth 16.3 Labrador 17.5 High component of seasonal workers High % of low wage workers NL in Context 23/06/2015 Atlantic Canada Transportation Forum 5
NL Labour Market Employed older workers 2000-15,800 2011-40,900 (providing nearly three times the amount of hours of work as in 2000.) Women make up significant % of low wage workers in NL Where our labour force resides 23/06/2015 Atlantic Canada Transportation Forum 6
Transportation and the Labour Market Proportion of workers commuting to work by car, truck or van, by public transit, on foot, or by bicycle, census metropolitan areas, 2011 23/06/2015 Atlantic Canada Transportation Forum 7
Transportation and the Labour Market The role of transportation policy in contributing to a healthy inclusive labour market For those too young, too old, too poor or too infirm to drive, the availability of mobility alternatives severely limits their opportunity for education and their ability to share in other essential everyday activities. Moreover, as more employers have moved to the suburbs, more jobs require car mobility. (Johnson 1993) 23/06/2015 Atlantic Canada Transportation Forum 8
Transportation and the Labour Market Need to balance economic, social, equity and environmental goals and objectives in transportation plans Short term / long term Transit enables people to access employment, education, health and social services, recreation Although everyone benefits from good transportation policy, it is particularly important for people in low income-trying to gain an attachment to the labour market 23/06/2015 Atlantic Canada Transportation Forum 9
Transportation and the Labour Market 23/06/2015 Atlantic Canada Transportation Forum 10
Transportation and the Labour Market Equitable access to quality, affordable transportation Partnership in the planning process = more equitable outcomes A different lens on the development of transportation policy i.e. labour market Youth Equity / gender 23/06/2015 Atlantic Canada Transportation Forum 11
Movement of Workers Lack of transportation isolates many citizens from labour market opportunity We live in an automobile dependent region Ownership for low income may not be an option especially when you have housing, food etc St. John s CMA has spread out / in-migration from rural Within local labour markets Between Regional labour markets 23/06/2015 Atlantic Canada Transportation Forum 12
23/06/2015 Atlantic Canada Transportation Forum 13
Movement of Workers Impacts on local labour markets Major projects Vale Hebron Labrador Alberta Boom / Bust present unique challenges 23/06/2015 Atlantic Canada Transportation Forum 14
Challenges and Opportunities Some guidelines for transportation policy? Create viable, affordable transportation Choices Ensure access to jobs Use a gender lens for more equitable outcomes Invest equitably so that transportation supports all communities Make a positive impact on community health Promote environmentally sustainable communities 23/06/2015 Atlantic Canada Transportation Forum 15
Challenges For developing inclusive transportation policy Growing inequality Growth of low wage and precarious employment Geography of the province and North East Avalon Population and demographic issues Seasonal workers Economic Related Geographic Mobility Engaging youth, low income earners, employers, people in poverty, civil society, various levels of Government, marginalized groups Financial 23/06/2015 Atlantic Canada Transportation Forum 16
Opportunities Make transportation one part of the solution in building a healthy labour market and more sustainable communities Higher participation rates Higher retention of employees Enhanced collaboration with and between civil society Better outcomes for users of public transit There s clearly a movement from highpaying professionals, public sector and construction jobs to low-paying service and retail. Even within manufacturing, there s a movement from high- paying manufacturing jobs to lower-paying. Benjamin Tal CIBC economist 23/06/2015 Atlantic Canada Transportation Forum 17
In Conclusion More equitable, collaboratively built transportation policy is a good thing and produces better outcomes for individuals and communities We need to make transportation policy part of the solution as a tool to build a more sustainable inclusive and equitable communities Labour market challenges are long term for NL we need to ensure that transportation policy does not add to them but plays a major role in the solution 23/06/2015 Atlantic Canada Transportation Forum 18
Thank You Kerry Murray Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of labour 23/06/2015 Atlantic Canada Transportation Forum 19