New report on Boston’s labor market brings issues of income inequality and wage disparity among local workers into focus

New report on Boston’s labor market brings issues of income inequality and wage disparity among local workers into focus

Underscores pressing need for education and job training resources for residents

BOSTON – A new labor report, commissioned by Mayor Martin J. Walsh's recently restructured Office of Workforce Development (OWD), shows that many Boston families continue to struggle, despite an economic boom that has seen unemployment rates drop to 4.3 percent.

The OWD partnered with the Boston Redevelopment Authority’s (BRA) Research Division to produce the report, “Boston's Workforce: An Assessment of Labor Market Outcomes and Opportunities,” in order to determine the extent of economic need in the city and to identify the most promising methods for increasing access to living wages.

Their findings show that a quarter of the city's fully employed workers and just under half of all labor force participants earn less than $35,000 a year. The median wage of Boston residents, $35,273, has remained the same, in real terms, for nearly three decades.

“As mayor, I have made confronting income inequality a cornerstone of my citywide economic agenda," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "A first step to effecting meaningful change is to collect good data. This report gives us an early roadmap for expanding access to the city's prosperity.”

The OWD, a department that is supported by the BRA and aims to broaden economic opportunities for residents, funds workforce development programs throughout the city.

“These findings underscore the imperative of our mission,” said Trinh Nguyen, Director of the OWD. “We must work to create viable career pathways between disadvantaged workers and living-wage jobs.”

The report, released today, comes on the heels of a recent Brookings Institution study that named Boston the most income-unequal major American city. Indeed, the BRA-authored report finds that although roughly 10,000 jobs a year have been created since 2010, many of these jobs have been added to low-paying industry sectors that rely heavily on part-time labor. The increase in the city's part-time jobs, prompted by the 2008 recession, has not subsided with economic recovery.

Reflecting national trends, Boston's low-income jobs fall disproportionately to people of color, immigrants, and non-native English speakers. The city’s average Hispanic worker, for example, earns less than half as much as the city’s average Non-Hispanic White worker. BRA researchers also discovered income disparities between Boston's resident and non-resident workers. After controlling for demographic differences between the two groups, they found that those who commute into the city for work make 8 percent more than Boston residents working in the city.

Although education has long been recognized as a key predictor of income, the report found it is an especially powerful force in Boston, where higher paying jobs tend to be in the knowledge economy. For example, over three-quarters of the city's nursing jobs require only an associate's degree, and yet, 80 percent of Boston's nurses possess a bachelor's degree, suggesting that college degree-holders are competing for jobs traditionally available to those with less education.   

The report predicts the importance of education will only grow. By 2022, 41 percent of Boston jobs are expected to require a bachelor's degree (compared to 27 percent nationally), and 36 percent will be available to those with a high school degree or less (compared to 50 percent nationally).

For those without college degrees, the report predicts that Boston’s growing construction, healthcare and social assistance sectors will offer greater opportunities for job entry, advancement, and wage growth.

“The emerging picture of the city’s labor market helps us concentrate our job training and placement efforts in Boston's most promising fields," Nguyen said. "Fortunately, we've started paving those career paths through programs like the Greater Boston Apprenticeship Initiative, which uses an earn-and-learn model to prepare low-income residents for the booming construction, hotel, and hospitality industries. We must also continue to connect literacy, high school equivalency, and adult basic education programs to workforce ones to create powerful engines of economic mobility.”

The report is a component of a three-phase process to maximize the efficiency of the city's workforce development programs. Job training consultants recently inventoried all such programs as part of the effort. In the final phase, they will organize facilitated discussions across the workforce development ecosystem to identify gaps in service. As early as Summer 2016, they will issue recommendations for best aligning program efforts with the needs highlighted in the report.

Operation Exit, a recent initiative managed by the OWD's Youth Options Unlimited Boston program and the Mayor's Office of Public Safety Initiatives, is just one example of a promising approach to greater economic inclusion. The initiative, which prepares high-risk and court-involved youth for construction and other trade union apprenticeships, has placed 87 percent of its graduates – all formerly under- or un-employed members of low-income households – into jobs and apprenticeships paying at least $18 per hour, well above the city's living wage.

Another recipient of OWD funding is YouthBuild Boston, a program that trains low-income youth for careers in the trades. Funded through the Neighborhood Jobs Trust, which is managed by the OWD, YouthBuild Boston has helped this year's participants increase their annual income from an average of $3,000 to nearly $35,000 with benefits.

About the Boston Redevelopment Authority

As the City of Boston’s urban planning and economic development agency, the BRA works in partnership with the community to plan Boston's future while respecting its past. The agency’s passionate and knowledgeable staff guides physical, social, and economic change in Boston’s neighborhoods and its downtown to shape a more prosperous, resilient, and vibrant city for all. The BRA also prepares residents for new opportunities through employment training, human services and job creation. Learn more atwww.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org, and follow us on Twitter @BostonRedevelop.

GOVERNOR BAKER STATEMENT ON NEW CDC GUIDELINES TO REDUCE OPIOID PRESCRIBING

GOVERNOR BAKER STATEMENT ON NEW CDC GUIDELINES TO REDUCE OPIOID PRESCRIBING

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker released the following statement regarding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new guidelines that urge general doctors to consider alternative treatments such as physical therapy, exercise and over-the-counter pain medications before prescribing opioids for chronic pain:

“A day after signing into law landmark legislation to fight the Commonwealth’s opioid epidemic, I welcome today’s new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to encourage doctors to prescribe fewer opioids and focus on safer, alternative treatments for chronic pain.  The Baker-Polito Administration is dedicated to combating the deadly opioid and heroin epidemic at the state level, recognizing that one bill, one budget or one program will not be enough to curb this public health crisis. Yesterday, I was honored to sign an opioid bill that includes the first law in the nation to limit an opioid prescription to a seven-day supply for first time adult prescriptions, and other important prevention and education provisions recommended by our opioid working group—and we encourage other states to do the same.  Recognizing that patients living with chronic pain need access to treatments that will relieve their suffering, I encourage physicians to adopt these new guidelines and discuss alternatives to addictive opioids with their patients.  It will take all levels of government and intense involvement from law enforcement and the health care community to bend the trend and I encourage all doctors to practice these new guidelines as we continue to break ground in passing more reforms to eradicate the opioid epidemic.”

聖派翠克日遊行路線保衛戰 法官判波市府敗訴

            波士頓環球報今（15）日報導，一名聯邦法官判決，波士頓聖派翠克日遊行可照往年較長的路線進行，而不是波士頓市政府要求的較短路線。

            美國地區法官Richard G/ Stearns表示，遊行組織者有第一修正權，可照往年較長的路線遊行。此案的確在受憲法保護範圍之內。

            法官在波士頓聯邦法院舉行的聆訊中指出，除了去年，這遊行照同一路線進行了已有20年，但直到2月26日之前，波士頓市政府並未正式試圖改變路線。遊行路線去年縮短是因為積雪佔據市內街道。

            波士頓警察局高管早前作證指出，聖派翠克日遊行很難管理。警察得處理人們在公眾場合飲酒，未成年人飲酒，以及許多外人進城所造成的許多問題，而且因為酒的關係，很可能出現混亂，無秩序狀況。若遊行規模較小，警力才可更有效率的因應。

            主辦這遊行的南波士頓戰場老兵聯盟會（The Allied War Veterans Council of South Boston）認為波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin Walsh )不喜歡這遊行，波士頓市官員要求他們縮短路線是違反了他們的言論自由與集會權，因而向法院申訴，要求判決。

波士頓華埠社區中心、前進會獲＄98,528職前培訓補助款

波士頓華埠社區中心今（15）日宣佈，波士頓市長人力發展辦公室的鄰里就業信託（NJT），撥給該中心和華人前進會（CPA）$98,528元，針對零售業提供職前技能培訓。

NJT的補助項目，旨在為波士頓市內低收入，英語有限移民，提供進零售業做初級員工所需要的英語及相關技能培訓，容許他們賺取能夠養家的工資，融入美國主流社會經濟。

該一培訓也是協助移民獲得一份穩定職業，在經濟上能充分自給自足的第一步。

        波市長人力發展辦公室的這一援助，將使波士頓華埠社區中心和華人前進會得以在未來一年中，提供四次，每期10周，每次有7到8名的培訓項目，使用就業英語形式，整合外語作為第二語言的指導，做一般工作場所，特定行業的技能等培訓。

                  儘管培訓重點放在發展軟技能，以及消費者服務技能，受訓者將可學會相關的技術技能，以及如何因應求職過程。

                  職前技能培訓的最終目的是，幫助受訓者進零售業，做一份可以領每小時11元或更高工資的全職工作，

            BCNC和CPA已和全食超市，羅氏兄弟，酒店培訓中心合作，幫助受訓者獲得工作，並持續尋求和本地雇主合作的機會。

Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center and the Chinese Progressive Association

Receive $98,528 Grant through the Neighborhood Jobs Trust

BOSTON – Through the Neighborhood Jobs Trust (NJT), the Mayor’s Office for Workforce Development (OWD) has awarded Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC) and the Chinese Progressive Association (CPA) $98,528 for a new pre-vocational skills training program focused on the retail industry.

The intent of this program is to provide low-income, limited English proficient immigrants in the City of Boston the skills and English needed to secure entry-level employment in the retail sector, allowing them to earn family-sustaining wages and to participate in the mainstream U.S. economy. The training also serves as a first step towards building a stable career and attaining full economic self-sufficiency.

Support from the OWD will enable BCNC and CPA to offer four 10-week training cycles over the next year, with 7-8 trainees in each cycle. The program will use an English-for-employment format, integrating ESOL instruction with both general workplace and industry-specific skill-building. While the training is focused on developing soft skills and customer service skills, trainees will also learn relevant technical skills and how to navigate the job application process.

The final goal of the pre-vocational skills training is to place trainees in full-time retail industry positions with an average hourly pay rate of $11 or higher. BCNC and CPA have partnered with Whole Foods, Roche Bros., and the Hotel Training Center to connect trainees to gainful employment and will continue to seek out and build relationships with other local employers.

Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb Named Grand Marshal of the 2016 Boston Marathon

Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb Named Grand Marshal of the 2016 Boston Marathon

B.A.A. to Celebrate 50 Years of Women’s Running at the Boston Marathon throughout Marathon Weekend

BOSTON – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) announced today that Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb will be the Grand Marshal of the 2016 Boston Marathon^® on Monday, April 18. One of the Boston Marathon’s most recognizable pioneers, Gibb became the first woman ever to complete the Boston Marathon in 1966, when she raced from Hopkinton to Boston as an unregistered participant. At that time, women were not yet allowed to officially register for the Boston Marathon. Her successful finish at the 1966 Boston Marathon became a historic milestone in the women’s running movement.

“This year we are excited to celebrate 50 years of women's participation at the Boston Marathon, particularly honoring Bobbi Gibb and her pioneering run in 1966,” said Joann Flaminio, President of the B.A.A. “Gibb changed the course of running history five decades ago, setting the stage for generations to come. Bobbi will lead 30,000 runners, including more than 14,000 female entrants, on their way to Boston on Patriots’ Day this year.”

At the age of 23, Gibb traveled from California to her family’s home in Winchester, Mass., arriving a day before the 1966 Boston Marathon. Waiting in bushes adjacent to the start in Hopkinton, Gibb jumped into the sea of runners shortly after the starting gun sounded, beginning her run to Boston.

Crossing the finish line in 3 hours, 21 minutes, 40 seconds, Gibb became the first woman to successfully complete the Hopkinton to Boston race, placing ahead of many male competitors. Despite not being recognized as an official finisher, Gibb’s drive to complete the race was a watershed moment in women’s distance running history.

In both 1967 and 1968, Gibb returned to Boston and again finished as the top woman. Gradually, the women’s running movement picked up steam and - in 1972 - women were officially recognized as official entrants in the Patriots’ Day race. In the years since 1966, more than 164,000 women have finished the Boston Marathon.

At the 100^th Boston Marathon in 1996, Gibb was presented an official finisher’s medal for her runs in 1966, 1967, in recognition of her place in Boston Marathon - and running - history. 

“Not only did Bobbi Gibb's run lead to women's participation in marathoning, but it also proved that courage and determination can lead to change,” said Flaminio. “Throughout Boston Marathon week we will honor Bobbi and women of the Boston Marathon.”

During Boston Marathon week, the B.A.A. will celebrate many pioneers in the women’s running movement, highlighting stories of triumph and accomplishment. From the thousands of women charity runners to the six women who have active streaks of 25 or more consecutive Boston Marathons, women’s running will be a key theme at the 120^th running of the Boston Marathon.

As Grand Marshal, Gibb will ride in a custom pace car provided by the New England Acura Dealers Association, the official automotive sponsor of the Boston Marathon. Riding ahead of the lead pack, Gibb will signify that thousands of runners will soon be coming down the course. The B.A.A. has reserved the grand marshal role as a position of recognition and honor. Last year’s grand marshal was Dick Hoyt of Team Hoyt, while the 2014 Grand Marshal was four-time Boston Marathon winner Bill Rodgers.

Over the last 50 years, Bobbi Gibb has reflected upon her 1966 run from Hopkinton to Boston in many ways. Gibb has produced a booklet titled “To Boston with Love: The Story of the First Woman to Run the Boston Marathon,” which chronicles her experience. She has also authored a book titled “Wind in the Fire.”

The 120^th running of the Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 18, 2016, and John Hancock Financial is the Principal Sponsor for the 31^st consecutive year.

ABOUT THE BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (B.A.A.)

Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A.’s Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon, and the organization manages other local events and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs. Since 1986, the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon has been John Hancock Financial. The Boston Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, along with the international marathons in Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. More than 60,000 runners will participate in B.A.A. events in 2016. The 120^th Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 18, 2016. For more information on the B.A.A., please visit www.baa.org.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES FURTHER REFORMS AT BOSTON REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES FURTHER REFORMS AT BOSTON REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

BOSTON -  The Boston Redevelopment Authority will issue a Request for Proposals on Monday for a strategic advisor, pending approval at the Board of Director's meeting on Thursday, to assist in the development of an organizational identity and brand strategy that builds on the ongoing reforms.  "While we have implemented significant change at the Boston Redevelopment Authority over the past two years, this is another opportunity to improve city government and take a hard look at an agency that has a difficult legacy to overcome," said Mayor Walsh. "We are committed to transparency and accountability as we move forward, and creating a new identity for the Boston Redevelopment Authority will be an important symbol of change that underscores this progress." Under the leadership of Mayor Walsh, the Boston Redevelopment Authority underwent two independent operational reviews that identified challenges facing the agency and opportunities for improvement. Since then, new policies have been enacted to provide better accountability for land takings and transfers. The agency has upgraded its technology to better enforce compliance with respect to lease agreements for its properties. Additionally, a director of real estate was hired in January to optimize the BRA's portfolio and ensure that key holdings are redeveloped. In response to calls for more proactive and comprehensive planning, the BRA's Planning Division, now under new leadership, has initiated several in-depth neighborhood planning studies. This work is currently underway in Jamaica Plain, South Boston, and Dudley Square, and BRA planners are striving to engage and collaborate with residents in new ways to ensure these initiatives are responsive to needs and reflective of shared community visions.   "We have taken a holistic approach to fixing troublesome issues by strengthening our policies, making more information available to the public, staffing up in areas that were under resourced, and taking a fresh approach to the way we work with communities," said Brian Golden, Director of the BRA. "With substantive reforms fully underway, we now have an opportunity to address our brand, which in many ways hasn't been altered since our inception." The project will be informed largely by feedback that has been received from community members and outside organizations about how to enhance the Boston Redevelopment Authority's operations and strengthen public trust around its core mission of planning and economic development. Once a firm is hired for the job, additional community outreach will be conducted to help craft the agency's new identity. The scope of work for the RFP is being finalized this week, but officials expect it to address a range of issues including what defines the Boston Redevelopment Authority's organizational identity, how those values are communicated through its branding, and how to create opportunities for public feedback during the process. The strategic advisor will also be expected to provide assistance in the development of implementation strategies for any recommendations. The project's cost will be established during the selection process. Once issued, the RFP will be on the Boston Redevelopment Authority website. ###

Baker-Polito Administration Elevates State Technology Office

Baker-Polito Administration Elevates State Technology Office

Changes will streamline state technology initiatives & improve service for constituents

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today announced changes to the state’s administration of technology services, establishing the role of Executive Director of MassIT, the state technology office, and elevating the position to report directly to the Governor. The changes come after an eight-month review of current practices across state government with a special immediate focus on improving and upgrading how the Commonwealth’s citizens interact with key state systems over the internet. Mark Nunnelly, current Commissioner of the Department of Revenue and Special Advisor to Governor Baker for Technology and Innovation Competitiveness, will begin as Executive Director of MassIT on April 4th, 2016.

“As so much of our lives become increasingly digitized, it is important state government keep up with the daily needs of our constituents,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Information technology is an important priority for this administration and our ability to provide secure essential services and execute projects in an efficient and fiscally responsible manner is key to a better state government for Massachusetts.  This is an important step that not only addresses some of the problems we have, but is an essential way forward to a better future.”   

“Our administration is always looking for more ways to make government work for taxpayers, and these improvements to our technology services are meant to improve customer service and support the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.  “We look forward to making these important changes and are confident Mark Nunnelly’s leadership and knowledge will serve this new position well.”

The Executive Director of MassIT will lead an effort to revamp and improve how end users interact with the Commonwealth, from improving licensing, to answering the latest questions on healthcare services, and help filing taxes. With over 75% of constituents interacting with state government online, focusing IT operations on delivering a more user-friendly experience to fully meet expectations is a top priority for the Baker-Polito Administration. The Executive Director will also focus on procuring services, managing projects using more readily available technology, and streamlining duplicative IT applications currently in place. A faster, more flexible development process will generate a better outcome at a lower cost to taxpayers.

“Elevating the Executive Director of MassIT to report directly to the Governor will create a more streamlined process in order to meet the IT demands of the Commonwealth,” said Kristen Lepore Secretary of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance. “This move mirrors a common trend in both the private and public sector to prioritize IT needs and implement them in an effective manner.”

“I am excited to take on these responsibilities for the Baker-Polito Administration,” said Mark Nunnelly.  “We have a large base of technology infrastructure to build from and are fortunate to be situated in an ecosystem of much innovation and talent which we will need to access to be successful in this effort.”

The steering committee that lead this process was commissioned in August 2015 and included Secretary Lepore, Commissioner Nunnelly, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector Louis Gutierrez, interim Chief Information Officer for the Commonwealth Charles Desourdy, former Chief Information Officer for the Commonwealth Bill Oates, and key senior staff. The steering committee conducted a top to bottom review of the agency, including interviews with over 100 IT and Government leaders. More details on the findings of this process and implementation plans will be announced at a later date.  

摩頓市聚喜樓獲最佳點心店評價 市長表揚

(Boston Orange）摩頓市府今（15）日發出通訊，市長葛帝生（Gary Christenson），市議員Neal Anderson日前聯袂恭喜市內中餐館“聚喜樓”，獲波士頓雜誌選為週遭最佳點心店（best Dim Sum around）。

            波士頓雜誌在一篇專題報導中稱許聚喜樓已超越了波士頓市內廣受歡迎的餐廳，諸如龍鳳酒樓，喜臨門大酒樓，溫莎點心店等食肆。

            經常光顧聚喜樓，當年競選時也在聚喜樓辦過籌款會的摩頓市長葛帝生，為此高興地特地協同市議員，頒發了一份表揚狀給該餐廳老闆陳錦沾，讚揚聚喜樓的成就，讓摩頓市驕傲。

圖片說明： 

左起，聚喜樓員工 Andy Song，Eric Shen，以及羅祖德，員工 Michelle Liang，摩頓市長葛帝生，聚喜樓老闆陳錦沾，摩頓市議員 Neal Anderson，以及聚喜樓另一名老闆 Fan Huang。（摩頓市政府提供）