Jobs for Somerville was founded in 2010 in response to the growing need for local jobs.Just 15% of Somerville residents have jobs within the city limits. That means more time spent commuting, more pollution, less local dollars spent at local businesses, and less time to be part of the community. We want to make sure that members of our community get to benefit from new developments in the form of the jobs that will be created.
Jobs for Somerville believes that all Somerville residents, particularly low-income residents, immigrants, and others with barriers to employment, should have access to good jobs. Good jobs pay a livable wage, have good benefits, and provide opportunities for growth.
Our Current Campaigns
- Promoting a system that connects Somerville residents to Somerville employers and provides opportunities for job training and worker education. SCC started to operate the Somerville First Source Jobs Program in 2014, and Jobs for Somerville is working with City officials and employers to strengthen the program and ensure the community’s needs are met.
- With Union United, we fought for a strong community benefit agreement that includes a crucial workforce development component. After years of negotiations, in September 2019, the Union Square community overwhelmingly ratified this agreement so residents will be better prepared for the jobs and industries coming to Somerville.
Past Campaigns
Here are just a few examples of past community organizing campaigns:
- In August 2016, we helped ensure passage of the Home Rule Petition to create a Somerville Municipal Job Creation and Retention Trust so that large-scale commercial developments contribute to good paying jobs for City residents. We successfully fought for a $2.46/square foot linkage fee and helped determine who sits on the board overseeing the Trust.
- A local hiring ordinance that would require large local employers to hire 30% of their workforce from the Somerville population.
- Supporting campaigns for local jobs and union hire at Maxwell’s Green and Assembly Square
- Creating job opportunities for Somerville residents on the Green Line Extension. We have been working with the MBTA and MassDOT to create the MassWIN-GLX program, which will train and hire local residents for jobs on the GLX.
- Collecting signatures to raise the minimum wage and require earned sick time as part of the Raise Up MA coalition.