Tag Archives: employment
Worcester Labor Coalition Fighting for Local Jobs
By William S. Coleman III, community activist
Reverend Clyde Tally, welcomed the Worcester Community Labor Coalition to AME Zion Church, Illinois Street, on Monday, Nov 17. This well planned and organized meeting of labor and community leaders had the undivided and focused attention of state and locally elected leaders. The impressive leadership from the community shared their concerns and hopes that proposed economic development coming to our city would have a focused interest on making sure that Worcester residents were given priority consideration when hiring construction jobs begins.
Sandy Ellis, of the Massachusetts Nurses Association presented the purpose of the meeting and its goals.
Frank Kartheiser, of the Worcester Interfaith presented a brief history to the Worcester Community Labor Coalition.
Robert Thomas of The Martin Luther King Center highlighted the successes of the coalition in working with elected officials and notably State Senator Harriet Chandler.
Chris Condon, of CSC Solutions presented the results of a survey conducted between July 8th and 10th 2014. 400 registered voters in Worcester participated. Chris explained what a Community Benefit Agreement consists of:
“A Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) is a contract negotiated between an institution/developer and a coalition representing a spectrum of community leaders. Elected officials participate to ensure the public needs are met.” In the CBA goals were spelled out for hiring talented individuals with previous obstacles to employment. Some targeted categories include: local residents, veterans, single parents, individuals with past felony conviction on their criminal records, women, people of color, and low income residents. The meeting highlighted the need for apprenticeship programs and training opportunities that will lead to good job careers.
A CBA benefits the community, the developers and a skilled and educated workforce.
David Minasian of the Carpenters Local 107, detailed the positive benefits of economic growth and development for our City.
Lenny Cooper, of the Worcester NAACP Unit # 2058 presented the goals for the Coalition.
Many community concerns were addressed by organizations like “Neighbor to Neighbor” when they put forth a need to adjust bus schedules that included express bus services to large employers and to the Auburn Mall.
The audience was given an opportunity to present questions to Coalition members and share their thoughts on important community concerns.
Richard Shea, Senate District Coordinator of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, elaborated on the challenges that poverty presents to students who drop out of high school and the need to rally for preschool education programs throughout our public schools.
Many elected officials attended this meeting and actively participated pledging their support to the goals of the Coalition and its goals.
Jobs available! Apply for work NEXT SATURDAY!
U.S. Census Bureau looking for good, dependable workers!
The New York Regional Office will be hiring approximately 100 temporary field representatives to work on the American Housing Survey (AHS) in Worcester County.
WHAT: The U.S. Census Bureau – New York Regional Office is hosting a walk-in recruiting fair to hire over 100 temporary field representatives in Worcester County, MA, and Windham County, CT for the American Housing Survey (AHS).
This survey is sponsored by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to collect data on the characteristics of the nation’s housing units and households.
Applicants must have a car and valid driver’s license, be a U.S. Citizen and pass a written test. Internet access is desirable. They must pass a basic skills test in order to be interviewed and considered for this position.
Former Census 2010 employees must reapply and be tested to be considered for these vacancies. Background checks will be conducted as well as reference checks.
WHEN: Saturday, December 13,
10:30 am
WHERE: Worcester Registry of Deeds Auditorium at 90 Front St. 2nd Floor, Worcester.
To learn more about job requirements and testing sessions in your area send an e-mail to new.york.recruit@census.gov
The hourly salary is $13.19 plus $0.56 per mile reimbursement. This is a temporary part-time position.
H and R Block and Liberty Tax RIP OFF the working poor! … Help …
… by VOLUNTEERING with:
the Worcester EITC/VITA Coalition!
It is not too late to attend the Worcester Earned Income Tax Credit/Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Coalition’s information session …
… to learn how the EITC and VITA can help people receive more on their tax refund and move towards financial stability!
Please RSVP to aaron.fill@unitedwaycm.org
ASAP!
Worcester EITC/VITA Coalition
… an excellent opportunity for human service agencies and volunteers to learn how EITC and VITA can assist low wage workers get hundreds … in tax refunds.
The Worcester EITC Coalition provides free tax preparation to income eligible families in Worcester and surrounding towns.
Please consider attending the following training session:
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
8 am – 9 am
AT THE WORCESTER YOUTH CENTER
326 CHANDLER ST.
This information session will provide you with important details regarding the EITC/VITA program and how we help those in need access a vital service and move towards financial stability.
At the information session, members of the coalition will speak on the program and how it has assisted families improve their quality of life.
An information packet including flyers that provide site locations, annual wage qualifiers, and other educational information will be provided for you to bring back to your agency for distribution to employees and clients.
Coffee and snacks will be provided for your enjoyment.
Please RSVP to aaron.fill@unitedwaycm.org
Worcester EITC/VITA Coalition
484 Main Street #300
Worcester, MA 01608
508-757-5631 x216
Hope gov-elect Charlie Baker reads this editorial …
… because this is how it feels for most of us Worcesterites! Read this editorial from The New York Times because the right-wing Telegram and Gazette editorial board won’t print the truth for ya and former Democratic hero and Mass Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray, now making $200,000 a year at the Chamber of Commerce, urged everyone to VOTE WRONG ON THE BALLOT QUESTIONS, shitting all over working people (and the environment). Murray, this past election, was anti-living wage, anti-expanded bottle bill, anti-earned sick time … what a whore.
– Rosalie Tirella
Job Growth, but No Raises
By THE EDITORIAL BOARD
NOVEMBER 7, 2014
The employment report for October, released on Friday, reflects a steady-as-she-goes economy. And that is a problem, because for most Americans, more of the same is not good enough. Since the recovery began in mid-2009, inflation-adjusted figures show that the economy has grown by 12 percent; corporate profits, by 46 percent; and the broad stock market, by 92 percent. Median household income has contracted by 3 percent.
Against that backdrop, the economic challenge is to reshape the economy in ways that allow a fair share of economic growth to flow into worker pay. The October report offers scant evidence that this challenge is being met. Worse,the legislative agenda of the new Republican congressional majority, including corporate tax cuts and more deficit reduction, would reinforce rather than reverse the lopsided status quo. …
To read entire editorial, CLICK HERE
Go to college! Get a job! Eat well, Worcester!
QUINSIGAMOND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Gateway to College Open House
Wednesday, October 22
11 AM – 2 PM
005 Surprenant Building
Please visit us during our Open House anytime between 11 AM and 2 PM to learn more about the Gateway to College program at Quinsigamond Community College.
Staff and current Gateway to College students will be on hand to provide information, share their experiences as well as answer questions about the program.
Parking is available in the QCC upper parking lots.
If you have any questions, please email Marci Skillings, Program Manager at mskillings@qcc.mass.edu
Light refreshments will be served.
****************
From SMOC – 237 Chandler Street
Job training and placement programs!
We are currently recruiting for our FREE classes beginning in the next couple of weeks.
Session 1 of our Retail Sales Training program started October 6. Weatherization Installers program begins October 20.
We still have slots available for both programs!
If you know of anyone who may need immediate access to job training and employment, call (508)756-6330 x6229 or Suzanne Domestico
Skills Training
South Middlesex Opportunity Council, Inc.
237 Chandler St.
www.smoc.org
Organizing Resources for Social Change & Economic Independence.
*********
The Massachusetts Food Plan!
Help us put one together!
What is the MA Food Plan?
It is both an assessment of and a plan to improve our food system – covering issues such as farming, ending hunger, getting more access to healthy/fresh foods in our communities, composting, improving our soils, processing and distributing food grown in Massachusetts, labor issues regarding the food industry, etc.
Do you eat food? Grow food? Sell food? Cook food?
Then we need your voice!
What is working well for Worcester and Central Massachusetts?
What are our issues?
What do we need for support to make change?
Please RSVP so we can be prepared with enough materials and refreshments! RSVP to Liz Sheehan Castro at hungerfreeworcester@gmail.com.
Also, if you have specific translation requests please contact me ASAP.
Liz Sheehan Castro
Worcester Food & Active Living Policy Council
office: 508-757-5631 ex 304
hungerfreeworcester@gmail.com
PATRICK ADMINISTRATION CELEBRATES SUCCESSFUL WORKFORCE TRAINING INITIATIVES
PATRICK ADMINISTRATION CELEBRATES SUCCESSFUL WORKFORCE TRAINING INITIATIVES AND ANNOUNCES LATEST ROUND OF GRANT FUNDING FOR MASSACHUSETTS COMPANIES
$3.7 million in matching grants complement private sector workforce training initiatives to benefit over 3,273 employees at 39 Massachusetts companies
CHARLTON – Continuing with the Patrick Administration’s strategic investments in workforce training initiatives, Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Joanne F. Goldstein today announced $3.7 million in Workforce Training Fund General Program Grants during a visit to INCOM, a Charlton-based manufacturer and previous grant recipient. In total, today’s announced grants will provide for the training of 3,273 current and newly hired employees at 39 companies across the Commonwealth. The grants, which are for up to two years, serve as a resource for businesses to increase the skill set of their incumbent employees and provide valuable training to the workers. As a result of these awarded grants, participating companies expect to create 242 new jobs by the end of 2015.
“We continue to promote the Workforce Training Fund because it is an effective model that encourages the business community to train and retrain employees, helping Massachusetts companies stay competitive in today’s global and innovative economy,” said Secretary Goldstein. “Over the last several years, we have seen many companies succeed thanks to these training grants and we look forward to more companies growing and excelling as a result of these grants and training initiatives.”
Today’s announcement supports companies located in 32 cities and towns across the Commonwealth. Of the 39 awarded grants, one is a technical assistance grants, a type of planning grant awarded to organizations preparing to implement workforce training grants and initiatives. Additionally, 3 grants were awarded to consortium projects involving multiple employers with common training needs.
This latest round of Workforce Training Fund grants build on the record investments in workforce training and education made by the Patrick Administration in recent years. Since 2007, the Administration has awarded $74.6 million through the Workforce Training Fund in General Program Training Grants to 999 projects involving more than 1,052 businesses. As a result of this funding, 94,836 workers have been or will be trained across a broad range of industries. Today’s announced funding is the latest round of Workforce Training Fund Program grants that will further support initiatives to enhance skills for employees in sectors including: Manufacturing; Finance and Insurance; Information; Accommodation and Food Services; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services; Retail Trade; Wholesale Trade; Transportation and Warehousing; Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation; and other services.
“We encourage businesses, regardless of size, to contact us to learn more about the Workforce Training Fund and how this resource can help them address their business needs,” said Nancy Snyder, President and CEO of EOLWD’s Commonwealth Corporation. “We are also interested in helping small businesses access the fund through consortiums that can be organized by third party workforce and training organizations.”
“If we are going to manufacture domestically, and compete globally, we need to have the best trained, most productive workforce in the world,” said Michael Detarando, INCOM President & CEO. “The Workforce Training Fund is an invaluable resource in the process toward achieving that goal and keeping manufacturing jobs here in Massachusetts.”
“The manufacturing sector is an important component of the Southern Central Massachusetts economy,” said Senator Richard T. Moore, Senate Chair of the Legislature’s Manufacturing Caucus. “Workforce development is critical to sustaining this industry, and keeping businesses in Massachusetts, especially as current employees age and jobs open up. Future candidates must be trained to fulfill those positions, and these grants will go a long way to fulfill that need.”
The following is a complete list of the awarded Workforce Training Fund General Program Grant Recipients announced today (listed by city/town), totaling $3,772,716:
| City | Company Name | Amount Awarded | Projected Number of Employees to be Trained | New Jobs Expected to be Created |
| Agawam | BELT TECHNOLOGIES INC. | $75,897 | 31 | 3 |
| AVON | CONTROLLER SERVICE & SALES CO INC. | $54,000 | 28 | 3 |
| Ayer | L-3 COMMUNICATIONS ESSCO INC. | $107,300 | 110 | 6 |
| BILLERICA | CABOT CORPORATION | $223,600 | 150 | 20 |
| BOSTON | HAMPTON INN AND SUITES CROSSTOWN | $49,760 | 50 | 2 |
| BOSTON | HOLLISTER ASSOCIATES, INC. | $221,168 | 298 | 30 |
| BOSTON | SPALDING TOUGIAS ARCHITECTS joinsCHOO & COMPANY, INC. of Quincy for a consortium grant. | $14,400 | 7 | 1 |
| BROCKTON | GTR MANUFACTURING CORPORATION | $100,800 | 65 | 5 |
| CHARLEMONT | ZOAR OUTDOOR ADVENTURE RESORT, INC. | $25,692 | 40 | 0 |
| CHELSEA | KETTLE CUISINE LLC | $249,675 | 226 | 37 |
| CHICOPEE | DUVAL PRECISION GRINDING, INC. | $54,600 | 28 | 2 |
| East Bridgewater | MUELLER CORPORATION | $54,135 | 71 | 1 |
| East Longmeadow | MAYBURY MATERIAL HANDLING | $165,457 | 68 | 3 |
| FRAMINGHAM | IDENTITY FORCE | $43,700 | 5 | 5 |
| HAVERHILL | NEW ENGLAND DIE CUTTING / AMERICAN EMI SOLUTIONS | $39,808 | 36 | 4 |
| HOLLISTON | IWAKI AMERICA WALCHEM | $60,480 | 38 | 3 |
| HUDSON | HYPERTRONICS CORPORATION | $199,222 | 120 | 15 |
| LAWRENCE | MULTIGRAINS, INC. | $197,800 | 111 | 3 |
| Malden | MASSACHUSETTS AFL-CIO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, INC.
(TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT) |
$21,840 | N/A | N/A |
| MANSFIELD | SMITH & NEPHEW, INC. ASDD | $88,000 | 63 | 10 |
| MARLBOROUGH | MARLBOROUGH SAVINGS BANK | $76,275 | 54 | 3 |
| METHUEN | 3M TOUCH SYSTEMS INC | $72,984 | 90 | 4 |
| NEEDHAM | CVS/CAREMARK | $102,142 | 120 | 0 |
| NORTH ADAMS | CRANE STATIONERY JOINS CRANE TECHNICAL MATERIALS, INC. OF DALTON FOR A CONSORTIUM GRANT. | $250,000 | 401 | 11 |
| NORTH ADAMS | EXCELSIOR INTEGRATED | $80,250 | 46 | 6 |
| NORWELL | G-FORCE SHIPPING | $54,736 | 42 | 6 |
| PALMER | DETECTOR TECHNOLOGY, INCORPORATED | $112,800 | 60 | 3 |
| PALMER | SANDERSON MACLEOD INC. | $131,085 | 93 | 10 |
| PEABODY | ANALOGIC CORPORATION | $134,030 | 147 | 4 |
| PEABODY | INNOVENT TECHNOLOGIES | $91,000 | 39 | 8 |
| PITTSFIELD | BLUE Q CORPORATION | $57,200 | 29 | 0 |
| QUINCY | QUINCY CREDIT UNION | $56,552 | 45 | 1 |
| SWANSEA | BAYCOAST BANK JOINS PARTNERS INSURANCE GROUP AND PLIMOUTH INVESTMENT ADVISORS, BOTH OF SWANSEA, FOR A CONSORTIUM GRANT. | $193,978 | 325 | 20 |
| WALTHAM | PLATING FOR ELECTRONICS, INC | $38,200 | 38 | 2 |
| WEST BRIDGEWATER | KOSO AMERICA, INC. | $61,500 | 68 | 3 |
| WEST BRIDGEWATER | STD PRECISION GEAR & INSTRUMENT, INC. | $36,400 | 26 | 1 |
| WEST WAREHAM | CALORIQUE LLC | $30,360 | 14 | 2 |
| WEST WAREHAM | MEDER ELECTRONICS INC | $58,810 | 25 | 2 |
| WILMINGTON | S.G. TORRICE CO., INC | $87,080 | 66 | 3 |
To learn more about the Workforce Training Fund Program, visit www.mass.gov/wtfp.
November is Hire a Vet month!
PATRICK ADMINISTRATION INCREASES INCENTIVES FOR COMPANIES HIRING VETERANS AND LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYED
BOSTON – Building off record investments made by the Patrick Administration in Veterans Services, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) recently announced it has more than doubled cash grants available to employers hiring Massachusetts residents who have been unemployed for 6 months or more, or Massachusetts veterans (regardless of length of unemployment). Increased grant funding is available through the state’s Hiring Incentive Training Grant (HITG), a program of the Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund.
“This grant program is a valuable incentive for employers who want to boost their workforce but may need additional resources to add new hires,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Joanne F. Goldstein. “Through this program, we are supporting the long-term unemployed and veterans looking for work as we encourage companies to grow their business and workforce in Massachusetts.”
Any for-profit company and non-profit organization that contributes to the Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund, a state fund enacted in 1998, are encouraged to apply. Eligible employers may now apply for grants of $5,000 for each new hire who meets the Hiring Incentive Training Grant program requirements. Employers may receive up to $75,000 each calendar year. Upon approval, payment will be available to the employer once the new hire has retained employment for at least 120 days.
A copy of the Hiring Incentive Training Grant application, eligibility requirements, Frequently Asked Questions and other relevant materials are available at EOLWD’s website www.mass.gov/hiringgrant. Grant awards are subject to funding availability, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Prior to October 2013, awarded eligible employers received no more than $2,000 per new hire, and no more than $30,000 per calendar year through the previous guidelines of the Hiring Incentive Training Grant. The increased grant funding through the Hiring Inventive Training Grant is one of many business resources promoted by the Patrick Administration to assist companies growing or expanding in Massachusetts.
The Hiring Incentive Training Grant is part of the Workforce Training Fund Program, managed by the Commonwealth Corporation, which provides resources for employers to better train Massachusetts workers. Recently, EOLWD announced approximately $2.8 million in Workforce Training Fund grants, totaling more than $15.6 million in grants awarded by the Patrick Administration since July 2012 to help train over 15,400 Massachusetts employees in the last year alone. The priorities of the Workforce Training Fund include projects, which will lead to increased job retention or job growth, increased wages, more productive and competitive companies, improved ability to do business in Massachusetts and commitments to increased private investment in training.
“The Workforce Training Fund has proven to be a remarkable resource to Massachusetts businesses looking to address their business needs,” said Nancy Snyder, President and CEO of Commonwealth Corporation. “We encourage all businesses, regardless of size, to contact us to learn more about the Workforce Training Fund and training grants that are available.”
Increased funding available through the Hiring Incentive Training Grant is another example of the Patrick Administration’s commitment to supporting Massachusetts veterans. The Administration is a leading provider for veteran services and continues to implement employment assistance and workforce training programs for veterans. In addition to providing priority service for veterans at each of the Department of Career Services’ One-Stop Career Centers, the Administration also launched an aggressive employment campaign focused on increasing the hiring of Massachusetts veterans. Among these initiatives, the Patrick Administration has partnered with major trade associations to encourage them to hire veterans, circulate information on veterans’ benefits and educate local employers about the skills service members gain the military.
Today’s announcement is more welcomed news within the veteran community, especially in advance of Veteran’s Day and the Patrick Administration’s annual “Hire a Vet Month” that will be celebrated throughout November.
“Employment is a critical component for a veteran’s successful transition back into civilian life,” said Secretary of Veterans Services Coleman Nee. “Massachusetts leads the nation in veterans’ services, and with this increased incentive we will continue to lead the way while maximizing both public and private sector resources to ensure we provide our veterans with the employment opportunities they have earned.”
To learn more about workforce training initiatives, visit www.mass.gov/lwd or for more details about the Hiring Incentive Training Grant visit www.mass.gov/hiringgrant.
Jobs NOT Jails! A Rallying Cry!
EPOCA news …
Since we launched the Jobs Not Jails campaign last spring, nearly 100 organizations have joined the cause, led by a Steering Committee made up of groups such as Youth Against Mass Incarceration, and Mothers for Justice and Equality. Together, we have collected 8,786 signatures on the Jobs Not Jails petition! Petition forms in English and Spanish can be downloaded from our website, www.jobsnotjails.org, and we have been receiving signed forms in the mail almost daily. Our goal is to have at least 50,000 by the time of our rally next April. Our signed petition sheets will be attached to “safety orange” fabric that we will wrap around the State House – to let legislators, the media and everyone around know that Massachusetts citizens say NO MORE MASS INCARCERATION!
We can do this together! Call us at 508-410-7676 or email steve@exprisoners.org to take part! You can also learn more and download our petitions at www.exprisoners.org and at our new coalition site: www.jobsnotjails.org
InCity Voices: Raise the minimum wage to help 1 in 5 low-wage workers in our state
By Lewis Finfer
This summer, 800 residents, including delegations from EPOCA and SEIU members in Worcester, packed a State House hearing room to ask for a hike in the state’s minimum wage which was last raised January 1, 2008. The proposed legislation (H. 1701, sponsored by Rep. Antonio Cabral; S. 878, sponsored by Sen. Marc Pacheco and 58 other legislators) would raise the state’s minimum wage to $11 per hour within three years.
Estimates suggest this increase would impact 580,000 low wage earners, a disproportionate of whom live in the state’s Gateway Cities like Worcester. Higher wages would provide an injection of $720 million in to the local economies of our cities if the minimum wage were raised to $10 an hour.
According to a 2011 study by the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank, every dollar added to the hourly minimum wage resulted in $2,800 in yearly additional consumer spending by that worker’s household. Gateway Cities would see great benefits without much risk to their economies.
While opponents argue minimum wage increases lead to layoffs, economic research suggests communities that have raised their minimum wages have not experienced greater employment loss than comparable areas.
Contact your state legislators and ask them to work actively for passage of this bill.
While we need a comprehensive strategy to support the growth and renewal of our Gateway Cities like Worcester, a long overdue minimum wage increase is one effective response we should put in place without delay.
Lewis Finfer is the director of Massachusetts Communities Action Network
TO LEARN MORE, PLEASE VISIT: www.mcan-oltc.org