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Union-led New Economy for Working Houston describes storm-recovery crews, requests support for apprenticeships
Summary
New Economy for Working Houston told the Labor Committee it has partnered with Gulf Coast AFL-CIO unions to provide OSHA-trained crews for storm cleanup, has served dozens of homes post-storm at no cost to homeowners, and urged funding for apprenticeships and tree-removal capacity as funds run low.
New Economy for Working Houston ("New Houston") told the Labor Committee it has mobilized union crews to provide disaster cleanup and limited repairs to Houstonians hit by a recent derecho and hurricane, and urged support for apprenticeship and tree-removal programs.
"Union workers have a long history of serving the community in which they work," Jorge Castrejon said, describing the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation's role in recruiting and deploying trained crews. Amy Zachmeier, campaigns and operations director for New Houston, said the nonprofit partners with unions and local funders to hire OSHA-trained workers and aims to deliver safe, quality repairs while avoiding scams that have targeted storm-affected homeowners.
Zachmeier said apprentices are paid $25 an hour and journey workers $40 an hour. She described operations after the derecho and hurricane: crews completed about 75 homes after the derecho and, in the more severe hurricane response, roughly 24 homes in seven weeks, with most large-tree removals requiring multiple full shifts and more equipment.
The presenters gave examples: crews removed debris from the property of local personality Richard Reyes (referred to as "Pancho Claus") and helped provide permitted electrical repairs for a retired homeowner, a job New Houston said cost around $2,700 including materials, labor and permitting.
New Houston said it receives funding from local nonprofit partners and unions (including Precinct Together, Precinct 4 Forward, Texas AFL-CIO and others) and that donor funds are running low. Zachmeier urged that residents refer urgent needs to county or city offices for possible assistance, and she suggested the city consider funding apprenticeships or tree-felling programs to expand safe tree-removal capacity for homeowners who cannot afford private services.
Council members thanked the presenters and discussed how the city and county can coordinate on code enforcement, fire-safety checks and referrals to nonprofit programs. Zachmeier directed those seeking services or wishing to donate to newhouston.org and to the Gulf Coast AFL-CIO apprenticeship page at gcaflcio.org.
No formal city funding decisions were made at the meeting; presenters said their program is continuing while funds last and encouraged referrals to help prioritize remaining resources.
