Coalition Begins Surveying New Britain Residents About Economic Equity

By Dean Wright, The Bristol Press

January 10, 2022

The Building Economic Equality coalition of New Britain kicked off its community survey Saturday at the E.C. Goodwin Technical High School as it looks to establish connections and conversations with New Britain citizens concerned with topics of economic equity.

The event was co-hosted by the New Britain Federation of Paraeducators and the Puerto Rican Society of New Britain.

Around 20 individuals gathered in one of the school’s municipal rooms to discuss how to knock doors and engage in conversations with others regarding survey taking.

Jasmine Vendredi, a New Britain resident and worker, served as one of the chief organizers of the survey and said she’s also been a union organizer in the past.

“Late summer, there was some discussion in the city with the opening of school happening and other reported troubles,” said Vendredi. “At the same time, we had started meeting with community activitsts, leaders and groups in the city to start this initiative. It came about organically that people wanted to do some organizing.”

The organizer said it was important to introduce residents to the survey to get an idea of what it is they desire to see in their town and especially in the areas of economic equality and employment opportunities. Several individuals during group introductions said they were with local unions. Speakers lauded efforts to keep living wage ordinances in New Britain intact and to continue pushing to potentially strengthen such legislation.

Coalition members said they had been vocal during recent city meetings about the importance of keeping such legislation as a means of protecting New Britain resident interests.

“Education and covid are big issues,” said Vendredi. “This whole thing started with the teachers union and was the main issue people were concerned about. It extended into other areas. Folks decided to go to City Hall to challenge the suggestion of changing the job ordinance.”

The survey organizer said those with the coalition wanted to protect an ordinance from decades past that makes it a requirement for contractors with agreements with the city of over $25,000 to hire residents of the city and pay a living wage in projects. According to her, some officials had considered changing it.

As part of a survey workshop, coalition members advised survey volunteers that it was important to listen to the concerns of those whose doors they were knocking, to identify themselves as volunteers and that regardless of political background, they wanted to hear why they felt strongly about the state of New Britain’s economy and job scene.

The coalition has a meeting slated for January 12 on Zoom for those interested in learning more about the organization. More information can be learned by emailing nbconversations@gmail.com or calling 860-992-9595.