NPA leaders demand permanent jobs from Manpower, Inc., the second

largest temporary labor agency in the world.

Two years ago at NPA’s 31st annual neighborhood conference, the Department of Labor (DOL) made a public commitment to NPA to establish a partnership that would support stable jobs for workers and summer employment for youth.

The DOL failed to honor its commitment with NPA, and at NPAs 33rd Annual Conference, leaders demanded to know why, and the steps necessary to make the DOL commit to low-wage workers.

The DOL sent Jacqui Shoholm, a policy director with the Employment and Training Administration, to a meeting with leaders on Saturday during NPA to speak on behalf of DOL Secretary Elaine Chao. Shoholm was asked to leave because she refused to answer NPA’s questions and said that DOL had lied to NPA about her power.

During NPA 2004, leaders also arranged for Branka Minic, Manpower’s Workforce Development Director to attend the Sunday workshop to discuss Manpower’s contract with the DOL. Manpower is the second largest temporary agency in the world and it has a contract with the DOL under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) to provide job training and placement to low-wage workers.

Minic cancelled within 24 hours of the workshop and a call to action was declared on DOL and Manpower for keeping hardworking adults and youth from receiving quality training and jobs.

Later that day, NPA visited Chao’s home and on Monday, NPA “went to work” at Manpower. The message: Meet with us and address the concerns of low-wage workers around the country.
NPA 2004 was just the first battle of the war that will result in quality jobs and job training for adults and youth across the country. Stay tuned for the next big steps.