NEW ORLEANS – A construction update will be issued today to disclose the progress of the new $546 million terminal at Louis Armstrong International Airport, but, according to Robert McClendon with NOLA.com| The Times-Picayune, a labor protest may steal its thunder.
McClendon reports Stand with Dignity, a grass-roots organization of low-income residents and workers in New Orleans, are calling the rally because they want to ensure local unemployed black men will be a part of the airport construction contract. Unemployment among the city’s African American male population has been reported to be as high as 52%, McClendon reports.
Stand With Dignity wants local hiring targets and training and career advancement for laborers to be included in the city's selection criteria for the contract, McClendon reports.
At today’s meeting, a workforce development plan is scheduled to be presented, McClendon reports.
The contractors awarded the contract include Hunt Construction Group, Gibbs Construction, Boh Bros. Construction Co. and Metro Service Group.
