Agenda Text
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Supporting the use of local unionized construction labor for the $11,000,000 expansion of Greentown Labs.
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Official Text
WHEREAS: Greentown Labs, one of the country’s largest incubators of startup companies, is planning to add 53,000 square feet to its existing facility by taking over the former Maaco auto body shop on Somerville Avenue; and
WHEREAS: The City of Somerville and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center contributed $2 million in loans to support this expansion; and
WHEREAS: The Mayor and this Board of Aldermen welcomed Greentown Labs to Somerville and are enthusiastic about its work providing entrepreneurs with opportunities to access equipment, services, education and networking to launch new enterprises quickly; and
WHEREAS: Greentown Labs originally planned to use a unionized general contractor, but has since opted for non-union companies that may utilize open shop, non-union subcontractors; and
WHEREAS: Unlike unionized companies, non-union contractors are under no obligation to employ predominately local workers from diverse backgrounds and to provide fair wages, decent benefits and training opportunities; NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED: That this Board of Aldermen strongly urges Greentown Labs, and its development partners, to hire union labor for all aspects of construction at Greentown Labs - especially since there is public money involved - and to give preference to qualified Somerville residents when hiring general contractors and subcontractors for the expansion.