NAGE/SEIU Local 5000 chooses Jon Santiago for mayor of Boston

BOSTON—The National Association of Government Employees (NAGE / SEIU Local 5000) has endorsed Jon Santiago in the race for mayor of Boston. NAGE becomes the latest labor union to throw their support behind Santiago, following Laborers Local 223, the Dorchester-based building trades group. 

“On behalf of the 20,000 NAGE members living and working in Massachusetts and more than 2,000 in the City of Boston, I am proud to announce our support of Jon Santiago for Mayor of Boston,” said David Holway, national president. “This is the most consequential election in the history of Boston and our members believe in Jon Santiago’s ability to unify the city through proven crisis leadership and foster a recovery rooted in equity and opportunity for all.” 

NAGE represents public and private workers including federal, state and municipal employees including first responders, correctional officers, nurses and emergency medical technicians and office workers. NAGE affiliated with SEIU in 1982 and remains committed to empowering union workers of every race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, physical ability and sexual orientation and building lasting economic security for their members. 

“I am honored and humbled that NAGE workers from here in Boston and across our state have placed their trust in me and are joining this movement to build our city back from this pandemic, stronger than ever before,” said Santiago. “By building this coalition of working people and neighbors from every background who share our vision for a recovery rooted in equity and opportunity, we’re going to bring Boston together and strengthen the way our city serves its people. I can’t wait to have the men and women of NAGE / SEIU Local 5000 at our side in this campaign as we write the next chapter of our Boston story.” 

With today’s endorsement, NAGE joins a list of endorsers supporting Santiago for mayor. The group includes Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz of the North End, Assistant Majority Leader Mike Moran and Representatives Kevin Honan of Allston, Rep. Ed Coppinger of West Roxbury and Rep. Dan Ryan of Charlestown. Other notable endorsements for Santiago include Dorchester’s Laborers Local Union 223, community leader Horace Small, former Executive Director of the Union of Minority Neighborhoods, and the Latino Victory Fund. 

Jon Santiago is currently serving his second term as the State Representative for the 9th Suffolk District representing the South End, Roxbury, Back Bay, and Fenway neighborhoods of Boston. He is an emergency room physician employed at Boston Medical Center, the city’s safety net hospital. He serves as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve and has deployed overseas. Prior to these experiences, Santiago served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic. He lives in the South End with his wife, Alexandra. 

Source:
Sean Downey
Hilltop Public Solutions
sdowney@hilltoppublicsolutions.com

Mayor Janey announces updates to City of Boston's Reopening Guidance; Will delay state rules by 3 weeks.

Modified and delayed guidance of the latest phase of Reopening Massachusetts plan will allow the City of Boston to prepare for industry-specific needs

(BOSTON - Tuesday, April 27, 2021) - Mayor Janey today announced that the City of Boston will move into a modified version of the state’s current phase of the Reopening Massachusetts plan, effective Friday, April 30. The City of Boston will delay most of the state’s reopening guidance announced today by three weeks, in an effort to accommodate the unique preparations needed by the City. In late March, the City announced that it would not move forward with additional reopening steps until the citywide positivity rate remained at or below 2.75 percent for two consecutive weeks. It is currently at 3.6 percent. However, given improved trends in the positivity rate and other COVID-19 public health metrics, the City will move cautiously to advance reopening efforts. The latest modified update will support Boston’s economic recovery as COVID-19 health metrics continue to improve. All reopening guidance will be subject to current COVID-19 public health data.

As of April 20, 2021, 33.1 percent of Bostonians are fully vaccinated; 55.1 percent have received at least one dose. The citywide community positivity rate continues to decrease, dropping to 3.6 percent, with three neighborhoods slightly above the 5.0 percent threshold (East Boston, Dorchester and Roslindale). New positive tests in the City of Boston decreased by 34 percent over the past week, averaging 144 new positive tests per day. The percentage of available adult ICU beds remains stable, and the percentage of non-surge ICU beds continues to be below the City’s threshold. Boston has had two reported deaths in the past week. 

“In every aspect of Boston's reopening, we will take the right measures, at the right time, to protect our people and businesses,” said Mayor Janey. “As we look ahead to better days, we must remember that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over. Reopening our economy does not remove our personal and collective responsibility to remain vigilant. Thank you to all Bostonians for your continued efforts and cooperation as we reopen our city.”

Effective Friday, April 30, the City of Boston will align with Commonwealth’s updated Face Coverings Order. This states that face coverings will be required at all times at indoor and outdoor venues and events, except when eating or drinking. Face coverings are recommended to be worn both inside and outside during small gatherings at private homes. Face coverings are not required outside in public spaces when individuals are able to remain at a safe distance from others.

Also effective April 30, public gatherings in Boston may increase to 100 people indoors and 150 people outdoors, in alignment with the Commonwealth's previously announced limits. In Boston, all private gatherings and events in private residences will remain subject to current capacity limits of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. However, public and private gathering limits will increase to 200 people indoors and 250 people outdoors on June 19 in Boston, three weeks after the higher limits go into effect in other parts of the Commonwealth. The City of Boston and the Boston Public Health Commission will continue to closely monitor public health data and adjust reopening plans as necessary.

The City of Boston will align with the Commonwealth’s updated guidance for indoor and outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks, allowing capacity to increase to 25 percent, effective May 10.

The City of Boston plans to allow the following industries to reopen or resume June 1, subject to certain capacity limits and safety measures, three weeks after the Commonwealth will allow for their reopening in other parts of the state:

• Road races and other large, outdoor organized amateur or professional group athletic events
• Youth and adult amateur sports tournaments for moderate and high-risk sports
• Singing indoors at performance venues, restaurants, event venues and other businesses, subject to the Commonwealth’s Theater and Performance Venue guidance

The City of Boston plans to allow the following industries to reopen or resume starting June 19, subject to certain capacity limits and safety measures, three weeks after the Commonwealth will allow for their reopening in other parts of the state:

• Street festivals, parades and agricultural festivals, at 50 percent capacity
• Bars, beer gardens, breweries, wineries and distilleries for seated-service only, subject to a 90-minute table limit, and no dance floors.
• Food will no longer be required with alcohol service, and 10 people can be seated at a table.

If public health metrics support continued safe reopening in Boston, effective August 22, industry restrictions will be lifted, and 100 percent capacity will be allowed for all industries. This would be three weeks after the Commonwealth takes this step in other parts of the state. Remaining Phase Four, Step Two industries and businesses, including dance clubs and nightclubs; saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms, and health clubs; and ball pits, would be allowed to reopen on August 22 in Boston. All businesses will be expected to adhere to ongoing safety guidance, and mask wearing will continue to be required indoors.

The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development (OED) will also hold two upcoming webinars about updated reopening guidance on Friday, April 30th at 2:00 p.m. and Wednesday, May 5th at 8:30 a.m. OED also hosts weekly small business calls every Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.and Reopen Boston Business Office Hours every Friday 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. These meetings ensure business owners, customers, and workers have access to all of the guidance and details necessary to return safely, as Boston reopens. For more information, please visit boston.gov/smallbusiness.

All of this guidance is subject change based on evolving COVID-19 public health metrics. For more information about reopening in Boston, visit boston.gov/reopening. For more information about the state’s reopening plan, visit mass.gov/reopening. 

Source: Mayor's Office 4/27/2021

Read more East Boston news at www.eastboston.com

City of Boston and partners to bring job fair series to incarcerated and returning citizens

Virtual events will include participants from Suffolk County Jail, Suffolk County House of Correction

(BOSTON - Tuesday, April 27, 2021) - As part of the City of Boston’s efforts to reintegrate returning citizens into the community, Mayor Kim Janey today announced a virtual job fair series designed to help current or formerly justice-involved individuals access job openings, educational opportunities, job search skills, and other critical resources. The events, held throughout May, are organized by MassHire Downtown Boston Career Center, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, BeProximate, and Project Opportunity, a City initiative that works to create equitable opportunities for residents with criminal records (CORIs).

“Each year, more than 3,000 people return to Boston upon their release from incarceration,” said Mayor Janey. “These returning citizens deserve the opportunity to create a fresh start and make positive contributions to their community. But that transition depends on our support. A second chance begins with a job prospect, an education pathway, the critical resources for daily living – exactly the things this job fair series promotes.”

In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, series partners have worked together to ensure that inmates at Suffolk County Jail and Suffolk County House of Correction can participate in the virtual events. Both facilities are operated by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department.  
 
“We know that good, sustainable employment is one of the critical elements for the success of anyone returning to society from incarceration,” said Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins. “This is why we offer many different skills-building and job preparedness training programs for the men and women in our care and custody. Unfortunately, the CORI continues to be an obstacle for many returning citizens seeking employment, so access to resources and opportunities like these is extremely important.”

“At MassHire Downtown Boston Career Center, we recognize the significant barriers to employment faced by returning citizens and individuals with CORIs,” said Doreen Treacy VP of Career Services at MassHire Downtown Boston. “We are committed to helping reduce these barriers by equipping jobseekers with the tools they need and connecting them to hiring events and resources.”
 
The event series is free and open to all Massachusetts residents, but requires participants to register at tinyurl.com/JobEdFair. The schedule of events is as follows:
 

    Why and How to Create a Resume: Tuesday, May 4, 1-2:30 p.m.
    Interview Basics: Thursday, May 6, 1-2:30 p.m.
    Job Fair Prep: Tuesday, May 11, 1-2:30 p.m.
    Job Fair: Wednesday, May 19, 1-2:30 p.m.
    Education/Resource Fair: Friday, May 21, 1-2:30 p.m.

 
The job fair will feature Amazon, Flour Bakery, Greater Boston Food Bank, Monroe Staffing, VPNE, and Whole Foods Market, with more employers to come.

Mayor Janey has proclaimed the final week of the series, May 17 - May 21, – which culminates in the job fair and education/resource fair – “Second Chance and Reentry Week” in Boston. The week will include an exhibit and panel discussions organized by BeProximate to advocate for the support of returning citizens. Speakers will include Suffolk County D.A. Rachael Rollins, Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins, and State Rep. Liz Miranda.
 
“In the City of Boston, cross-sector fertilization drives social innovation to address both citywide and neighborhood-specific needs,” said BeProximate founder Diana Saintil. “However, we must extend our politics beyond our personal proclivities to devise cross-sector solutions to address the most salient reentry challenges in housing, employment, health, and education for returning citizens. We must BeProximate to people with empathy. Proximity with apathy is too great a threat to transformational change.”
 
In addition to promoting career development opportunities, the event series also extends the outreach of Project Opportunity, a collaboration of the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety, the Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizens, and SOAR Boston. Project Opportunity connects residents with free legal consultation to review the potential for sealing or expunging their CORIs. The City of Boston pays for the cost of accessing a CORI, while partner Lawyers Clearinghouse provides legal consultation and full representation if an individual’s record can be sealed or expunged.

The job fair series also supports the mission of the Mayor’s upcoming 2021 Summer Violence Prevention Plan. The Plan develops a framework to scale up prosocial activities, strengthen intervention efforts, ensure neighborhoods are supported and connected to resources, expand intentional outreach and engagement for specific populations, and provide positive activities and community engagement in public spaces.

Source: Mayor's Office 4/27/2021

Read more local news at http://www.eastboston.com

Charlestown's state Representative Dan Ryan is the latest Boston official to endorse Santiago for Mayor

(BOSTON, April 25, 2021)—Jon Santiago has earned the endorsement of another Boston legislator with Charlestown State Representative Dan Ryan joining his campaign for mayor.


“I’m proud to support Jon Santiago for mayor and am excited to begin campaigning side by side with him,” said Ryan. “Dr. Santiago is a proven leader of teams, a passionate public servant, and front-line healthcare worker that we need in this moment for our city. Jon is uniquely positioned to lead our city through these challenging times and chart a full and equitable recovery for Boston.”


Ryan was elected to the House of Representatives in 2014 and represents the 2nd Suffolk District including Charlestown. Ryan currently serves as the Chair of the Joint Committee on Election Laws. In the House, Ryan has been among the body’s leading voices on issues important to veterans. He was also among the most vocal advocates for the landmark 2018 opioid prevention bill, engaging with law enforcement and advocates to expand crisis intervention response training. He and Santiago worked closely together on the milestone Student Opportunity Act, passing a once-in-a-generation package to strengthen public education in Boston and throughout the commonwealth.  


“Dan Ryan is a tireless advocate for Boston at the state house and in his community, and I’m honored to welcome him to our campaign,” said Santiago. “His work on the opioid crisis, issues important to veterans, and expanding public education funding have helped create a safer and stronger Massachusetts. His endorsement is so important in this race, and I look forward to working with him to lead us through a recovery to a post-pandemic Boston that’s stronger than ever before.”


With today’s endorsement, Ryan joins four of his Boston colleagues in the legislature including Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz, Assistant Majority Leader Mike Moran, and Representatives Kevin Honan and Ed Coppinger in supporting Santiago’s campaign. Other notable endorsements for Santiago include Laborers Local Union 223, community leader Horace Small, former Executive Director of the Union of Minority Neighborhoods, and the Latino Victory Fund.


Jon Santiago is currently serving his second term as the State Representative for the 9th Suffolk District representing the South End, Roxbury, Back Bay, and Fenway neighborhoods of Boston. He is an emergency room physician employed at Boston Medical Center, the city’s safety net hospital. He serves as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve and has deployed overseas. Prior to these experiences, Santiago served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic. He lives in the South End with his wife, Alexandra. 

Source: Santiago Campaign 4/25/2021