AN OPEN LETTER to THE U.S. CONGRESS
Put the Good Jobs for Good Airports standards in the FAA reauthorization bill!
104 so far! Help us get to 250 signers!
I’m calling on you to stand with working people, passengers and our communities by supporting Good Jobs for Good Airports standards (GJGA) in the FAA reauthorization bill. Airports should and can be strong, vibrant drivers of good jobs in every part of our country. The Good Jobs for Good Airports standards are central to that mission and our nation’s future prosperity. Billions of our public dollars are invested in our nation’s aviation system every year, and we must ensure that our public resources serve the public good. That includes ensuring airports better serve the needs of our families, our passengers, our communities and the airport service workers who make it all possible.
It is evident that our air travel industry is in crisis. From record flight cancellations during summer travel peaks to mountains of lost luggage during the holiday travel season. Airports are critical publicly-funded infrastructure vital to the health of our local communities and global economy, but right now airports aren't working the way they should for travelers or airport service workers — a largely Black, brown, multiracial and immigrant service workforce. These working people, including cleaners, wheelchair agents, baggage handlers, concessionaires and ramp workers, keep airports safe and running smoothly even through a global pandemic, climate disasters and busy travel seasons. Yet many are underpaid and underprotected--even as some major airlines rake in record profit and billions of our tax dollars are invested in our national air travel system.
Domestic passenger numbers increased by 80% between 2020 and 2021, total industry employment fell by nearly 14%, leaving airport service workers to sometimes clean entire airplanes in as little as five minutes as many take on additional responsibilities outside of their typical job duties. Meanwhile, wages have barely budged for airport service workers in 20 years. The Good Jobs for Good Airports standards has the power to transform workers’ lives by ensuring airport service workers have the pay and benefits they need to care for their families.
The Good Jobs for Good Airports standards would help build a stronger, safer, more resilient air travel industry by making airport service jobs good jobs with living wages and benefits like affordable healthcare for all airport workers. Airport service workers at more than 130 covered airports would be supported through established wage and benefit standards, putting money back into hundreds of local economies and helping families thrive. If passed over 73% of wage increases will go to workers making $20 or less, estimates show.
I urge you to include the Good Jobs for Good Airports standards in the FAA reauthorization bill, and help ensure our public money serves the public good.
▶ Created on September 20, 2023 by Jess Craven
📱 Text SIGN PNXUOF to 50409
🤯 Liked it? Text FOLLOW JESSCRAVEN101 to 50409
5 notes
·
View notes
SURVIVING LAYOFF SEASON
The tech industry is known for its fast-paced and constantly evolving nature, and layoffs are a common occurrence as companies adapt to changing market conditions and shifts in technology. In recent years, tech has faced many challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a significant impact on almost every industry in the world.
The impact of layoff seasons on employees can be significant. Layoffs can lead to a loss of income and benefits, causing financial stress. They can also be emotionally difficult, as employees may experience feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, and loss. It is important for companies to approach layoffs responsibly and compassionately, providing support and resources for affected employees.
Employees can also take steps to protect themselves and increase their chances of surviving layoff seasons. By taking proactive measures, professionals can better navigate the challenges. Read on!
Impending Layoff?
If you are concerned about job security in the tech industry, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and increase your chances of surviving the layoff season.
Keep your Skills Updated
Staying current in your field is crucial in the tech industry, where new technologies and trends are constantly emerging. Make an effort to continuously learn and improve your skills, whether through online courses, attending industry events, or working on personal projects. This will make you more valuable to your current employer and more competitive in the job market.
Build and Maintain a Strong Professional Network
Networking is key in the tech industry, and having strong connections can be a valuable resource in times of uncertainty. Make an effort to build and maintain a strong professional network through industry events, professional associations, and social media platforms such as LinkedIn.
Manage your finances
Layoffs can be financially stressful, so it's important to manage your finances and have a financial plan in place. This may include creating a budget, building an emergency savings fund, and reducing debt.
Remain Positive and Proactive
It is natural to feel anxious and uncertain in times of change, but try to stay positive and proactive. This may involve updating your resume, networking, and staying in touch with the market to understand any new career opportunities even if you are not actively seeking a new job.
Upskilling and Reskilling
Continuous skill development is crucial for techies looking to stay competitive in the industry. Here are a few ways professionals can continue, to not only survive the tech layoff season but also get better opportunities going forward:
Take online courses or earn a degree
Online courses and degree programs offer a convenient way to learn new skills or deepen your knowledge in a particular area. There are many online courses and degree programs available in a variety of tech-related fields, such as programming, data analysis, and cybersecurity.
Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Industry events and conferences are a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies in the tech industry. These events often feature presentations and workshops from industry experts and offer opportunities to network with other professionals.
Work on Personal Projects
Personal projects enable you to learn new skills and apply what you have learned in a practical setting. Working on a personal project can also help you stand out in the job market and showcase your skills to potential employers.
Participate in Hackathons
Hackathons are events where developers come together to work on a specific project or challenge over a short period, usually a few days. Participating in hackathons can help you learn new skills, network with other professionals, and demonstrate your skills to potential employers.
Join Relevant Professional Organizations
Professional organizations offer a range of resources and opportunities for learning and skill development, including events, workshops, and online courses. Many professional organizations also offer opportunities for networking and career development.
Critical to Success Tech Skills – Add Them to your Portfolio
The tech industry is constantly evolving, and it's important to stay current to remain competitive in the job market. Here are some ‘critical to success’ tech skills to consider adding to your portfolio:
Programming Languages
Proficiency in one or more programming languages is essential for many tech careers. Some of the most in-demand programming languages include Java, Python, Go, and JavaScript.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is a rapidly growing field, and knowledge of cloud technologies such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform can be highly valuable.
Data Analysis and Visualization
The ability to analyze and interpret data is crucial in many tech roles. Skills in data analysis and visualization tools such as Excel, SQL, and Tableau can be highly valuable.
Machine Learning
Machine learning is a rapidly growing field that involves using algorithms and statistical models to enable computers to learn and improve their performance without explicit programming. Adding ML skills to your portfolio can make you highly competitive in the tech job market.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is a critical issue in the tech industry, and knowledge of cybersecurity principles and technologies can be highly valuable. Skills in areas such as deepfakes, crypto-jacking, network, and cloud security, ransomware attacks, encryption, risk management, and many more are particularly in-demand.
Project Management
Tech projects often involve coordinating and managing multiple tasks and resources, and strong project management skills can be highly valuable. Skills in tools such as Agile, Scrum, and Jira can be particularly useful.
Communication and Collaboration
The ability to communicate and collaborate effectively is crucial in the tech industry, where teamwork and cross-functional collaboration are common. Adding skills in areas such as presentation, writing, and teamwork can be highly valuable.
It would be useful to gain/upgrade these skills even if you are not facing a layoff threat.
Exploring Global Opportunities
The tech industry is a global one.
The United States, Canada, China, Germany, and Israel are all regions with strong and growing tech sectors, offering numerous opportunities for tech professionals. These regions are known for their focus on innovation and skill and are always in search of talented individuals to join their thriving industries.
India, in particular, is facing a significant shortage of talent, making it a great place for professionals to explore job opportunities. The country has a lot to offer to the world as it is a young nation with an innovative spirit and unrelenting grit. What it lacks is experienced tech talent- people who have the skills, exposure, and motivation to help drive the efforts forward.
Read: The Upward Spiral Of Technology In India
These roles are in special demand in these regions:
Software Developers
Data Scientists
Cybersecurity Experts
DevOps Engineers
Systems Engineers
Project Managers
Technical Support Specialists
Technical Writers
Other considerations
Type of visa
Different types of visas may be required depending on your employment status. Check whether the company you would be working with would assist you with gaining a work visa.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a work visa, you may need to meet certain criteria and have a proper job offer.
Length of stay
Some visas may allow you to stay in the country for a limited period of time, while others may allow you to stay indefinitely, depending on the company. Check with your prospective new employer. Some visas may need to be renewed after a certain period of time, while others may not.
It is also important to research the employment laws in the countries you are considering working in, as these can vary significantly from one country to another.
Minimum wage
Different countries may have different minimum wage laws, which can affect your salary.
Working hours
Each region has different laws regarding working hours, such as the maximum number of hours you can work per week or the number of breaks you are entitled.
Benefits
Different countries may have different laws regarding benefits such as vacation time, sick leave, and maternity/paternity leave.
Termination
Different countries may have different laws regarding the termination of employment, such as the notice period required or the circumstances under which an employee can be terminated.
Download: The NRI Guide For A Seamless Return To India [Free eBook]
It is imperative to be proactive in seeking out resources and support networks, as these can help you navigate the challenges of living and working abroad and make the experience more rewarding.
Surviving the tech layoff season can be challenging, but with the right strategies and mindset, you can increase your chances of coming out on top and having sustainable success.
Most importantly, it’s crucial to be connected with a suitable platform that can connect you with a wide network of highly-reputed companies that will best celebrate your knowledge and expertise. A platform like Global Talent Exchange.
GTX was built with the mission of mobilizing talent from skill-rich regions of the world to regions with talent shortages. We’re a next-gen tech recruitment platform, that goes above and beyond just connecting candidates with companies- we’re active enablers of the global brain circulation phenomenon.
Read: Global Brain Circulation: The Opportunity Of A Mobile Tech Talent Pool
From personalizing the right opportunity to ensuring a cultural fit with the organization, we make sure your move is seamless and aligned with your personal and professional vision.
Begin your journey - Register with us
2 notes
·
View notes
Tumblr peeps, it is now time I ask of you to help me with a current life situation.
Fiancé and I have been best friends for 5 years. During that time I’ve lived with my elderly grams and he has an apartment that he shares with his almost adult (17) son. His rent is relatively cheap for this area and I pay my share of utilities to my grams to help. This keeps out cost of living low. We live in an area of NY where rent is high, job availability and pay are low. But we both have very little family and they are all in the area and moving out is just as expensive.
We have been planning on buying a house together soon and both recently got pretty decent paying jobs so we could afford to really start saving. Also starting this month we were going to have set schedules so we would always have the same days off together. We both worked for the same retail location.
He was just offered an IT position that pays Pennies. Like he will barely be able to afford his bills and groceries, let alone save for a down payment or even afford a share of mortgage. He’s only had this better paying job for a few months so has no savings built up yet.
He decided to take the job even though I think it’s financially irresponsible because he wants to enjoy going to work, will work a Monday-Friday job from 730-430. Have weekends off. He can also go back to streaming after work.
I of course want him to be happy, but I feel like it’s a betrayal. Like we were just finally getting somewhere close to normal and being able to afford a life together and I was raised that you sometimes sacrifice present happiness in a job for future happiness and security. It just feels more like a single persons decision to work somewhere you know will make life financially difficult and I also have the mentality of “the grass is not always greener”.
So please give me your thoughts and feelings on if this were your situation? How would you feel? Am I being selfish? Should it have been a joint and unanimous decision? I’m trying to support him, but I just feel like in the end this isn’t going to help us and they we may drift apart as we will likely never see each other due to not living under the same roofs and having opposing schedules…
9/16/22
1 note
·
View note