STANDING UP FOR WORKING FAMILIES
When SEIU Local 888 endorsed me for re-election, President Thomas M. McKeever wrote that I was “the candidate who has dedicated her life to fighting for all members of our community and our members in labor.” My administration had conducted wage studies that found pay disparities between emergency responders. As McKeever noted, the city then “reached a historic agreement for the 911 Emergency Dispatchers and Telecommunicators. This agreement serves as a model for other municipalities to honor, respect, and fairly identify their workers who make their city and its residents safe.” Our city workers deserve fair, equitable pay and I consider this one of my major accomplishments.
It’s easy to say you’re committed to bettering the lives of working families, but that’s just cosplay. There’s talking the talk, and then there’s walking the walk. As your mayor, I’ve done the latter. It’s why I’m honored to have also earned the support of the 20 unions comprising the Greater Boston Building Trades Union representing 35,000 working families. “Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is the workers’ Mayor. In a time of uncertainty, she’s been the steady, proven leader we need — fighting every day for workers and their families. Under her leadership, workers’ rights have been reestablished in Somerville, from the right to organize to safe working conditions and fair pay. She’s taken real, concrete steps to make sure working people are treated with dignity, respect and are able to make it in Somerville. If you care about protecting and strengthening labor rights and a strong, vibrant Somerville, re-electing Mayor Ballantyne is the clear choice,” said Chaton Green, GBBTU Business Agent.
This past January I approved a new contract with the Somerville Municipal Employees Union United B. SMEU Union President Ed Halloran said that, “as a 32-year veteran working for the City’s DPW, this may be the best contract the members of this union have ever received.” It is a contract that is an arrow right at the heart of long-standing bias—that's gender bias, class bias, and educational bias that is pervasive in our society, taking a hard look at benefits that needed updating as well for these critical workers. I’ve said I’m committed to making Somerville a city where we can all thrive. And I’ve made sure that includes all the people who work to ensure our city functions.
ARTBEAT 2025: FREEZE
One of the highlights of the summer in Somerville is ArtBeat which will be held in and around Davis Square on Saturday, July 19 (raindate: July 20). This year’s theme, “Freeze,” invites artists and attendees to creatively explore the many meanings of the word—whether that’s freezing in motion, preserving memories, or simply cooling down on a summer day. I hope to see you there. For more information: bit.ly/44JqyNy
FREE SUMMER MEALS
While President Trump and a compliant Congress are slashing the social safety net, our Somerville values ensure those in need are not forgotten. My administration’s ‘Free Summer Meals’ program, providing free meals to all Somerville kids and teens age 18 and under, is currently underway. Breakfast and lunch foods will be distributed at youth-friendly locations Monday to Friday at locations citywide. For more information, visit somervillema.gov/freesummermeals.
