Who Will Build the New Somerville?

More than 40 local tradespeople and Somerville residents gathered in Assembly Square on March 23 and 24 to pass out a leaflet alerting merchants and consumers about the importance of Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRIT) using highly skilled union labor and hiring local people from the community.

“When Federal Realty was picked as the developer of Assembly Sq., they told us they would build with union labor and hire local tradespeople,” said Rand Wilson, longtime activist for good jobs in Somerville. “Now FRIT is in the process of choosing a general contractor for a 448 unit apartment building, but in letters sent to many of us in the community, they made it clear there was no commitment to its past promises.”

“Somerville and surrounding communities can only be assured of a genuinely fair opportunity for local residents to work on these projects if they are awarded to a union contractor who is required to predominately source workers from the local area union hiring halls,” said Paul Hughes, Business Agent for Carpenters Local 218 that includes Somerville and Medford. “Union contractors also invest in meaningful apprenticeship training programs that lead to lasting careers in the building trades.”

“All we are asking is that FRIT hire union and pay good wages,” said Ward One Alderman Matt McLaughlin. “Local hire has always been my priority. The city of Somerville has invested $60 million in public money and we’ve made many special considerations for Assembly Square’s success. This relationship should be a two way street. I think it’s reasonable to expect that FRIT would make some considerations for Somerville’s working families.”

“Somerville is home to hundreds of union trades workers,” said Jaril Gauthier, a sheet metal worker from Somerville. “We are part of the fabric of this city and we want to be part of its continued growth.”

If Federal Realty builds non-union, it could mean:

· Poor quality construction and delays

· A loss in revenue for merchants in Assembly Row

· Resentment and hostility from the local community

· Potential protests and disruptions at Assembly Sq.

The leaflet encouraged merchants and consumers to contact Don Brigs at Federal Realty Investment Trust and urge FRIT to build union and hire local in Assembly Sq. It was produced by Good Jobs Somerville, the New England Regional Council of Carpenters and the Boston Building and Construction Trades Council of the Metropolitan District.

Pictures of workers leafleting are online at: https://plus.google.com/photos/103408626541358869123/albums/6129801071922899569
For a copy of the informational leaflet that was distributed in Assembly Sq., email rand.wilson@gmail.com