New Haven leaders say, “Show us good jobs!”

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — The need for good jobs brought New Haven community and union leaders to Mayor John DeStefano’s office on May 19. Bearing petitions signed by 500 residents, the group called for enforcement of Yale New Haven Hospital’s promise to hire into full time positions at least 100 people a year for five years from the surrounding community.

The Community Benefits Agreement signed on June 6, 2006, by the hospital and the city was won during a long campaign leading up to construction of the Smilow Cancer Center which involved removal of several homes in the impoverished Hill neighborhood.

Pastor Abraham Hernandez and Helen Martin of CORD, Communities Organized for Responsible Development, said their requests to meet with the president of Yale New Haven Hospital have been turned down. 

The group asked the mayor and Board of Aldermen to get by June 1, 2010, a list of New Haven residents hired to confirm the hospital’s hiring from surrounding neighborhoods, along with the job titles and whether they are still employed.  Also requested is documentation of a comprehensive training program.

In a prepared statement they emphasized, “As the city and the members of our community struggle with the job losses of recent years, and work to tackle the staggering unemployment levels in our neighborhoods, we look to the city and the hospital to show proof of a similar commitment to city resident hiring.”

On April 28, a rally of 500 was held on the steps of City Hall calling for the creation of good jobs. Similar rallies have been held across the country in the struggle to get Congress to pass legislation to address the emergency jobs crisis.  National priorities include provisions for federal funds to stop the layoff of 300,000 teachers, for summer jobs for youth, for budget relief for hard pressed states, and to extend unemployment compensation benefits.

Photo: Melissa Bailey/New Haven Independent