New Policy Proposal Envisions the Creation of Trades Advisory Board

Published on April 08, 2025

SAN ANTONIO (April 8, 2025) – Following the Cesar Chavez Holiday, District 2 Councilmember Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and District 5 Councilmember Teri Castillo filed a Council Consideration Request (CCR) that seeks to create a worker-focused San Antonio Trades Advisory Board.

The board would ensure that public money is spent responsibly while encouraging local hiring and worker protections. Worker-focused boards already exist in Texas, as Harris County created the Essential Workers Board in 2021.

“The creation of the Trades Advisory Board will serve San Antonio in a more expansive and fair way by inviting workers to lead the conversations and decisions that most affect them,” said Councilmember McKee-Rodriguez.

The CCR provides a timeline for creating the Trades Advisory Board with a one-year pilot program focused on City-funded construction, telecommunications, and infrastructure projects.

“The vision for this board is to ensure that workers have a seat at the table, lifting their voice when it comes to enforcing labor standards, workforce development and training, and coordinating these efforts within publicly funded City contracts,” said Councilmember Teri Castillo said. “As we envision the future of San Antonio, this board will be a vital asset for the workers who build this City.”

As currently proposed, potential benefits of such a board would include:

• Promoting local hiring by ensuring that public dollars support local workers and businesses
• Strengthening the workforce pipeline by aligning existing San Antonio workforce training with employer needs
• Protecting workers and reducing exploitation by addressing wage theft, misclassification, and contractor abuses before they catalyze into major issues
• Increasing transparency and accountability with data-driven oversight of City projects and contracts.
• Enhancing economic equity by ensuring that City investments benefit working families

Supporting signatures were provided by Councilmember Sukh Kaur (D1), Adriana Rocha Garcia (D4), and Melissa Cabello Havrda (D6).