We're getting official word from the people at StopLaborReady.org that Labor Ready has cancelled its plans to open up shop at Sheridan and Gunnison.
A contractor got word from Labor Ready that they would not need his services. They are cancelling their plans to open at this location due to the economy. Ald. Shiller's office has also received a similar call confirming the same.
Update: The News-Star has put out a "Web Extra" this evening in which Labor Ready brass says it is "delaying" the opening of an Uptown location and will revisit the idea next year, but not necessarily at the same location.
"Labor Ready announced that it is delaying its plans to open a branch office at 4830 N. Sheridan in Uptown. A spokeswoman for Labor Ready confirmed to News-Star this afternoon that the day-labor corporation had temporarily shelved its plans after word leaked out on the neighborhood blog Uptown Update.
"We changed our plans at this point in time because of the economic conditions right now," Burke said. "We'll revisit opening in the community but not this year. We'll revisit it next year."
Read the rest of the News-Star's web extra here.
All I can think of is Denice Davis's comment that opposing this project was wrong because "it's a done deal, a done deal."
ReplyDeleteWhether it's the economy or any other reason... glad to see that this agency has decided not to open in that particular location.
Another "ripple effect" where one of Helen's engraved invitations caused problems for residents in another ward. At the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, there were quite a few 48th Ward residents there in opposition, including Ald. Smith's staff member Nancy Meyerson.
All I can say is
ReplyDeleteYESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!
I am so happy!
One victory, 2 more to go: Wilson Yards and a new alderman
ReplyDeleteThis is great news for Uptown today. Now let's FIX WILSON YARD!
ReplyDelete"One victory, 2 more to go: Wilson Yards and a new alderman"
ReplyDeleteditto...
woo hoo!!!
ReplyDeleteOh HOORAY! I felt so defeated after attending the Zone Board meting on this and have walked past that address with trepidation and dread every day since. This completely renews my believe in our community being able to defend itself and beat the powers that be. Bring it Schiller - we are ready for you. Next stop, Wilson Yard!
ReplyDeleteAlderman Shiller, meet the economy. Finally something you can't lie and deceive your way around.
ReplyDeletePower to the people, y'all.
ReplyDeleteOne victory, 2 more to go: Wilson Yards and a new alderman
ReplyDeleteOf course, if we'd taken care of #3 a couple years ago, we wouldn't be dealing with the other two issues.
Wilson Yards!
ReplyDeleteSo typical for Chicagoans to add an "s" to names where it doesnt belong, like "Soldier's Field," "Wrigley's Field," and "John Hancock's Tower."
Billyjoes
Woot! Wilson Yard is next...
ReplyDeletebillyjoe, you forgot to use the apostrophe in "doesn't."
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly is the problem with labor ready? It seems to me that they seek to provide a source of employment to those who seek it. What is wrong with an office opening here?
ReplyDeleteStef, use the search box on UU to see the past discussions about it. You can also click on the link for StopLaborReady.
ReplyDeleteIn a nutshell, there are doubts about the screening process, the location, and the benefits for the workers.
Uhm, I wish that were true. This is but a time for them to regroup and recoup. They will be back, friends, they will be back.
ReplyDeleteIf they're back (and I reserve judgment on that), I suspect they'll open in a location that's already zoned for day labor, and one that's not mere feet away from a school and a boys' & girls' club. At the ZBA hearing, it was suggested they consider the Ravenswood corridor, which is already zoned for light manufacturing and has better access to transportation than the Sheridan storefront.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure, from Labor Ready's standpoint, having a murder (Timothy Pittman) happen right in front of the proposed site wasn't the most appealing situation.
Speaking of the murder (which is regrettably still unsolved as far as I know), Slater Realty Investments needs to replace their glass door. We don't need anything else boarded up in this neighborhood. Time to get on it, Michael Slater.
ReplyDelete"In a nutshell, there are doubts about the screening process, the location, and the benefits for the workers."
ReplyDeleteI can imagine these things are challenges for day labor placement agencies. By their nature, they find work for those who show up, they don't claim to be long-term placement agencies, and there is a real need for people to find day labor work. I don't understand what the problem is with placing people in work if they want it for a day or how ever long they can get it. I don't doubt that their practices are not the most ethical, but it seems like it would be really challenging to screen everyone who just shows up to work for a morning, they must be bonded and insured though, they must have a means to cover any liabilities right?
Stef, individuals will have their different opinions, but we should expect even a mediocre alderman to have the ability to draw in the community for their input. There's a reason why the surrounding block clubs, UCC, representatives from the neighboring ward, and other concerned residents saw the need to raise money to file yet another lawsuit in the 46th Ward. How pathetic that this was the community's only recourse to be heard.
ReplyDeleteI can see people's concern over an company like this opening up in our neighborhood, but at the same time I think we're losing site of the fact that it would provide jobs and income to the people of our community. Day Labor is not something anyone wants to do, but the alternatives aren't pretty either. Would you rather these people resort to begging, getting on the doll, or petition the city for magical 'living wages', or would you rather let the men in our community work for a living? To me the answer is obvious.
ReplyDeleteWhile the men who do Day Labor may not be the most outstanding in our society, the fact is, the unintended consequence of places like this not existing is higher unemployment. That's purely the laws of economics. If any of you have a better idea I'd love to hear it.
As I understand it; the problem is that the target "employee pool" of this busines has a disproportionate number of substance abusers and sex offendenders. One strong objection was having this group of people congregating near children which by statute would be illegal for a registered sex offender.
ReplyDeleteStef----as someone mentioned before, there is a link to the saga of Labor Ready in the story. Rather than re-live the debate, I would recommend that you read thru the history and learn about what the community has had to endure to get to this point. Thanks......
ReplyDelete