We are a mix of River Valley Market co-op members and customers. Some of us have helped build and support RVM through loans, through fundraising, and serving on the Board of Directors. We shop at and support RVM because of the commitment to a quality product, the commitment to a unionized workplace (something RVM has often promoted), and in RVM’s words the co-op commitment to “working together for better food, stronger communities and a healthier world”.

As RVM expands to Easthampton we are disappointed and embarrassed to learn that it has chosen a non-union general contractor to build the new store. We ask that you ensure this does not happen for the sub-contracting and instead reflect these principles through meeting construction industry standards in pay, through hiring contractors that provide benefits, and through combating racism and sexism in the construction industry through requiring contractors to hire diverse work crews (including women & people of color). It is important to put our principles into practice and not by default end up supporting the weakening and eroding job standards through hiring cheaply and without benefits, and lowering industry standards as a result.

We ask the Board to do the following:

1. Support Workers: Commit to hiring sub-contractors that will hire union workers and support union apprenticeship programs training new workers in building careers in construction. Minimally institute responsible contracting that supports industry standards through requiring contractors:
   
   
   
   • Sign an affidavit affirming they will follow all federal & state labor laws, properly classifying, paying and insuring their workers;
   
   
   • Pay workers at industry standards (state set prevailing wages);
   
   
   • Provide workers with the minimal health insurance requirements set by the state;
   
   
   • Provide workers with some sort (any kind) of retirement benefits.
   
   
   
   


2. Support diversity & local hiring: Assist in diversifying the construction industry through requiring contractors hire women (minimally 10% work hours) and people of color (minimally 15% work hours) as part of their construction crews. Ask contractors to give preference to workers from Easthampton and Northampton and to track their diversity and hiring of local workers.
   

Thank you,