City of Birmingham hosts ‘Good Jobs Summer Tour’

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — A new initiative in Birmingham is aiming to improve workplaces for the city’s workforce.

In a press conference Wednesday morning, U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin announced the city of Birmingham’s signing of the “Good Jobs Alliance.” The alliance is a part of the labor department’s “Good Jobs Summer Tour,” which is making stops across the nation.

One in four adults in Birmingham are currently not working. The city plans to speak with business owners and those in the workforce about what changes can be made to find those people employment.

“What are those barriers that are keeping those four out of 10 people on the sidelines?” Woodfin said. “Is it transportation? Is it access to childcare? Asking all the other questions that need to be asked. It is also important we get answers to those questions.”

According to Woodfin, the conversations to improve workplaces around the city will start immediately.