Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone with labor advocates at REO signing.  In attendance were DC 35 members Rich Rogers, Executive Secretary- Treasurer of the Metro Boston Labor Council, and Reese Thornton.

After several failed efforts going back over a decade the Somerville (MA) Board of Alderman adopted a Responsible Employer Ordinance last night.  The REO protects working families and tax-payers 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 great partnership between the Greater Boston Labor Council and the Boston Building Trades Council.  Thank you Rich Rogers and Jim Coyle for your terrific leadership.  In addition Massachusetts Building Trades Council President Frank Callahan played a critical role in this victory.  Thank You Frank!  The REO passed by a seven to three margin.  In Support Board of Alderman President Dennis Sullivan, and the following Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz, Mary Ann Heuston, Sean O'Donovan, Walter Pero, Thomas Taylor, and Robert Trane.  Opposed Alderman John Connolly, Bruce Desmond and William White. Special thanks go to President Sullivan and Alderman Gewirtz, Heuston and Trane for their votes in committee, that blocked an amendment that would have significantly weakened the ordinance.  We also thank Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone for his strong support.

The win came against significant opposition from the Associated Builders and Contractors [ABC] the state wide anti-union association, the Somerville Chamber of Commerce and others.  The victory demonstrates what we can do when we come together with a common goal.

(From the Greater Boston Central Labor Council.)