Willets Point workforce assistance begins

The first initiative in forming the Willets Point workforce assistance program was announced today by Mayor Michael Bloomberg; Robert Lieber, deputy mayor for economic development; and Peter Ward, president of the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council, which prepares hotel union members for employment. The program hopes to help the 250 businesses and 1,300 workers who could lose their jobs if the city develops the area. The council’s hotel employee benefit fund will be open to non-members for the first time so Willets Point workers can participate in food and beverage service training programs. The workers will also have the opportunity to use the council’s referral program for job placement. TRD