Assess options to increase coordination and enhance unhoused access to paid non-standard work

WHEREAS, around 35% of Portland’s adult workers seek the kind of work that fits around other circumstances in their life - a medical issue that fluctuates day-to-day, unpredictable family caregiving or parenting commitments, unstable housing or existing partial employment they wish to retain; and WHEREAS, these members of our community have invaluable lived experience. But too many are out of sight in our labor market. They are too often siloed in “gig work” apps , working off-the-books or getting by without earnings; and WHEREAS, locally, several nonprofits already offer work readiness program for non-standard work options, like Central City Concern’s Employment Access Center , and Trash for Peace , that deserve more support; and WHEREAS, interest in more diverse non-standard work options is greater among communities of color, women, and the lowest income, including those living unhoused, but there is little publicly-provided infrastructure connecting work-seekers to a diverse offering of work options; and WHEREAS, public agencies increasingly recognize the need to address deficient services for non-standard workers; and WHEREAS, a group of local government leaders in the metro region are exploring the creation of a multi-jurisdictional public and private partnership to create a program to match non-standard jobs to job seekers; and WHEREAS, Worksystems, Inc, has found a promising new set of practices based on the work of a group of cities in California led by Long Beach . They are launching a sophisticated platform for all types of flexible labor. The nonprofit Workers Lab is funding its expansion to other areas, and they would like to work with the City to explore if such a model would work in the region; and WHEREAS, key questions for the City to explore include: What can be known about this part of our local workforce? What are the lessons learned from the California cities program? What is required for a successful local launch? How can a larger and more systematic approach to the flexible labor market help tackle fundamental problems for marginalized residents and the economy? Can enough quality non-standard jobs be found for people not fortunate enough to have regular availability for work? WHEREAS, the City of Portland and other regional jurisdictions are significant buyers/users of non-standard work: Demand, however, is dispersed through multiple jurisdictions, bureaus, departments, budgets, and suppliers; and Public-sector use of non-standard work should be better organized to maximize resources and opportunities and support those workers who need non-standard work to (re) engage and advance in the labor market. NOW THEREFOR BE IT RESOLVED, facilitated by Worksystems, Inc., the City of Portland joins the regional multi-jurisdictional government partnership with labor, minority chambers and regional community organizations that have established workforce programs serving the targeted populations listed above to explore how to expand non-standard work options, especially for Portlanders experiencing houselessness; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City Council directs City bureaus who use or purchase non-standard work to participate in a study on organizing better city-funded non-standard work opportunities to create a better marketplace built around access, protection, control, and progression for workers; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Portland's labor unions representing city workers and others are invited to partner and co-create this initiative; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, if determined by the multi-jurisdictional and labor partnership, sufficient demand exists in the City to support the adoption of a new platform to organize non-standard work, bureaus will commit to using that system to post opportunities and engage workers; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Worksystems Inc, working with partners to complete this initial feasibility phase, will return to the Portland City Council with a report and potential next steps; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City Council requests that staff return with implementation, operational and funding plans for its further consideration.