Victory in Somerville!
After several failed efforts going back over a decade the Somerville Board of Alderman adopted a Responsible Employer Ordinance on Thursday June 12th. The REO protects working families and taxpayers from unscrupulous contractors requiring that contractors provide health care and have state certified apprentice programs in order to bid on municipal construction projects. The victory was the result of a tremendous partnership between the GBLC and the Metropolitan Boston Building Trades Council.
The REO passed by a seven to three margin. In support were Board of Alderman President Dennis Sullivan and Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz, Maryann Heuston, Sean O’Donovan, Walter Pero, Thomas Taylor and Robert Trane, Opposing the measure were Alderman John Connnolly, Bruce Desmond and William White. President Sullivan and Alderman Gewirtz, Heuston and Trane voted to block an amendment in committee that would have significantly weakened the ordinance.
The victory came against strong opposition from the Associated Builders and Contractors [ABC] the statewide anti-union organization, the Somerville Chamber of Commerce and others. ‘This victory shows what we can accomplish when we work together and stay focused. The GBLC was proud to work with Jim Coyle, from the Boston Building Trades Council and the Mass Building Trades President Frank Callahan in winning this important victory’ noted Rich Rogers the GBLC’s Executive Secretary-Treasurer.
Boston’s Cab Drivers Push for Meter Rate Increase
For the first time in six years the City of Boston’s Hackney Division has called a hearing to consider a meter rate increase for Boston’s cab drivers. The hearing is the direct result of the cab drivers joining the United Steel Workers last fall. The hearing will be held on Tuesday June 24th at Roxbury Community College at 10AM on the 24th.
The GBLC has gone on record in favor of the increase and is urging the Menino Administration to establish a task force, which would include labor representation, to examine all aspects of the industry. Boston’s cab drivers are classified as independent contractors and receive no unemployment, health-care or worker’s compensation coverage and are being increasingly squeezed by escalating gas prices. To find out how you can help contact USW representative Donna Shaw at 617-640-4299.
SEIU 615 Wins Card Check for Security Officers
Earlier this week a neutral arbitrator recognized SEIU Local 615 through card check recognition as the representative of 1200 security officers employed by Securitas. Allied Barton and Northeast Security, the other major Boston security firms, had reached similar agreements earlier this year.
Local 615 will shortly enter into first contract talks with the security firms. This victory was a yearlong campaign, which was backed by a strong coalition of community and labor organizations. The GBLC was proud to back the security officers and will continue to support them through contract talks. Community Labor United, the GBLC’s sister organization, played a major roll in recruiting community supporters to this effort to bring unionization to security officers in Greater Boston. Congratulations!
Colonnade Workers Continue Fight for First Contract
The engineering department workers are continuing their protracted battle for a first contract with the Colonnade Hotel. Last year the workers voted for representation with the Area Trades Council, a coalition of IBEW Local 103, the New England Council of Carpenters, Operating Engineers 877, Painters DC 35 and Plumbers Local 12. The Colonnade in spite of record revenue is dragging their feet in contract talks.
A rally has been scheduled for Thursday June 26th outside the Colonnade at 120 Huntington Avenue Boston at 3PM. Colonnade General Manager David Colella was recently outspoken in his opposition to Boston’s cab drivers receiving a meter rate increase. All GBLC affiliates are urged to send representatives to the rally on the 26th in order to send a message to David Colella and to push for resolution to contract talk with the Area Trades Council.
GBLC News and Notes:
Coalition For Our Communities is Growing: The GBLC urges all of its affiliated unions to join the ‘Coalition For Our Communities’ a broad based group of labor, community and business organizations uniting to defeat the proposed ballot question to repeal the Commonwealth’s income tax. The proposal would slash 13 billion dollars from the state budget and result in irreparable harm to the Massachusetts’s economy. To find out how you can help call the GBLC at 617-723-2370.
2ND McCain walk set for Saturday June 21st: The New Hampshire AFL-CIO will once again be the launch spot for a labor walk to educate New Hampshire union members on Republican Presidential candidate John McCain’s anti-worker record. His opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act will be the theme for the June 21st walk which will start at 8:30 AM at the New Hampshire AFL-CIO, 161 Londonderry Turnpike in Hooksett. All GBLC affiliates are urged to participate.
JULY Delegates Meeting Suspended: Delegates at the June 3rd GBLC meeting voted to suspend the council’s July delegates meeting. The next meeting of the GBLC will be Tuesday August 5th. A COPE endorsement meeting will be held upon adjournment of the delegates meeting.
