Plan for Sustainable Economic Development in
SE Massachusetts

 Putting the Needs of People
and the Environment First.

Economic development policies and strategies are
grounded in subsidies, tax breaks, and other financial
and infrastructure incentives for corporations to
improve their bottom line. Conversely, little if any
attention is paid to ensure that these same
corporations provide meaningful economic and social
returns for these public / tax payer based financial
incentives and outright gifts.

Our economic development priorities are backwards.
One companies quest for profit should not eclipse the
well being or needs of our community.

Economic development is viewed as cities and states competing
against each other to see who can give away the largest tax breaks,
subsidies, cheapest wages, and highest rates of return for the
executives and shareholders. It is hundreds of mini-NAFTA's.

We need an economic development policy that puts improving the
standards of people and our environment first - not last. We need a
policy that gives our community more power over its economic engine
and improves the economic, social, political and spiritual well-being of
its residents. We need a policy that encourages alternative forms of
business; including worker owned and operated enterprises, consumer
and producer co-ops. We need a policy which supports a progressive tax
structure and the delivery and expansion of public services.

We pledge our support to this vision and will participate to build and
secure a policy of economic development for the 21st century in SE
Massachusetts communities rooted in the following principles:

Economic development policy initiatives must create and retain "good
jobs" which are accessible through easily available and affordable
transportation. These initiatives must have clear goals and include
automatic "pay-back" provisions when the goals are not met. "Good
jobs" are jobs which provide:

• A guarantee that workers can exercise their rights under the
  1st Amendment and the National Labor Relations Act
  without fear and employer interference.
  

  
  

• A living wage
  
  
• Affordable health insurance and accessible healthcare
  
  
• Retirement plan
  
  
• Substantial paid time off
  
  
• Paid sick and maternity/paternity time
  
  
• Availability of full-time employment
  
  
• Affordable and accessible childcare
  
  

Training and Education

Workers need and deserve accessible and quality training and education
to maintain their skills in the changing economy. The state, cities, and
towns, along with the business community, must provide the resources
and opportunities for workers to continue upgrading their skills,
including apprenticeship training programs. Training should prepare
workers for quality jobs with career ladders and not dead-end jobs that
don't pay a living wage. In addition, training should provide portable
skills rather than skills limited to one company.

Employers who benefit from economic development initiatives must be
held accountable to providing good jobs. They must:

• Guarantee that workers can exercise their rights under the 1st
  Amendment and the National Labor Relations Act without fear
  and employer interference.
  
  
• Fill these jobs with local residents
  
  
• Develop career paths and career ladders

  
  

• Commit to the right of first refusal to the workers and community
  to purchase the enterprise at a "fair market price" if the
  enterprise is scheduled to close.
  
  

Economic development must preserve, protect, and harmonize with the
environment. Economic Development must improve conservation of the
land and resources and employ healthy, safe, and efficient renewable
technologies.

Any public funded or supported economic development committee or
planning agency must include meaningful numbers of labor and
community representatives chosen by their respective organizations.