Contractors Fight for Jobs, and Win

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By CBS 3 Springfield News

Story Published: Feb 12, 2010 at 7:50 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 12, 2010 at 8:17 PM EDT

The City of Springfield changes its mind after pressure from local blue collar workers who said they were being denied their share of work in a upcoming city project.

Fridays protest turned into a victory rally for local contractors who gathered on the steps of City Hall.

They were upset that Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno had refused to include the Responsible Employee Ordinance in plans for the new Putnam Vocational School, a $125 million dollar project.

Operating Engineers Union Spokesperson Philip Chaffee says, "We fought, we stood with the city and we put this responsible employer ordinance together. This is a big project in the city and it needs to be implemented for this job."

The ordinance requires that 35% of the jobs go to Springfield residents, 20% to minorities, 5% to women, and 5% to apprentices instead of the jobs being given to out of town contractors.

City Councilor Timothy Rooke says, "The Mayor signed the legislation and said he supported it but when the bid came out the language wasn't in there and he said that they could not include the language because it was illegal and would drive up cost and it would delay the project."

Local contractors didn't buy it and planned to show the Mayor just that. But, before they could, Mayor Sarno changed his mind.

Mayor Sarno says, "We've been able to resolve the bid dispute through negotiations. REO will be put in."

While local contractors say they are happy with the Mayor's decision, they feel they shouldn't have to put the pressure on to get what they deserve.

Pioneer Valley Building Trades President Daniel D'Alma says, "What's disturbing to us is that you can have the ordinance signed by the mayor but it's not applied to Putnam as of yesterday. But this morning, it is."

Mayor Sarno says the ordinance will be put in all future bids for local projects including the Forest Park Middle School.

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Karen said on Friday, Feb 12 at 8:50 PM

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