"Belmont, Massachusetts"--Bob A. Feldman

`Belmont, Massachusetts' folk song

MBTA's $100,000-Plus Managers Propose T Fare Hike and T Service Cuts In 2016

In recent weeks, administrators of Greater Boston's historically mismanaged, debt-ridden "non-profit" Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority [MBTA]'s transit system have proposed: 1. yet another fare hike for T riders in July 2016; 2. elimination of late night T service (apparently to encourage more late night student T riders to utilize the for-profit, Uber private company's non-unionized car drivers); and 3. cuts in The Ride para transit services for both young and elderly people with disabilities--in order to "reduce the annual operating costs" of running the MBTA's mass transit system.

But one reason the MBTA management's "annual operating costs" have increased in recent years (besides having a policy of apparently not demanding that a moratorium on MBTA debt service and interest payments to Wall Street big bank creditors, etc. be negotiated by the Governor of Massachusetts) is that many MBTA administrators, managers and police officers are still apparently being paid annual salaries that exceed $100,000 per year.

For example, according to public records, the projected 2015 annual salaries for the following former or current MBTA administrators, managers and police officers were as follows:

General Manager Beverly Scott $220,000;

Deputy General Manager Sean McCarthy $195,000

Deputy General Manager and Adm. Exec. CFO Jonathan Davis $195,000

Chief Technology Officer Gary Foster $158,000

Chief of Police Kenneth Green $152,000

General Counsel MBTA/DOT Paige Scott-Reed $150,000

AGM Design & Construction Edmond Hunter $145,000

Chief Strategic Business Initiative Theodore Backa $140,000

Chief Safety Office Ronald Nickle $133,000

Chief Mechanical Officer Jeffrey Gonneville $132,000

Chief Engineering and Construction Erik Stoothoff $131,000

Deputy Chief of Police James Witzgall $132,000

AGM Operations Strategy & Signals Charles Planck $131,000

Chief Transportation Officer Todd Johnson $127,000

Chief Administration Officer Tina Beasley $127,000

Director Budget Mary Runkel $126,000

AGM Customer Service and Billing Roseanne Yates $126,000

AGM Systemwide Accountability Laura Brelsford $125,000

Deputy General Counsel Lurleen Gannon $125,000

Chief Railroad Officer Bradley Kesler $125,000

Deputy Chief of Police Kenneth Sprague $124,000

Deputy General Counsel Robert Ferguson $125,000

AGM Surface Operations Service Planning David Carney $123,000

Director Service Vehicle Maintenance Joseph Keefe $122,000

Director Technology Infrastructure Operations John Groff $122,000

Director Special Security/Emergency Management Randy Clarke $122,000

Director Sr. Design & Construction Greenline Mary Ainsley $120,000

Director Sr. Design & Construction James Jackson $120,000

Director Sr. Contract Administration Margaret HInkle $120,000

Director Applications Development Kanagalingan Goursalen $118,000

Director Occupational Health Services Kathy Legon $118,000

Director Signals & Communications Joseph McNall $117,000

AGM Real Estate and Asset Services Mark Boyle $116,000

Specialist OCC Software Frank Feltes $116,000

Deputy Administration Transit Michael Lambert $115,000

Chief of Staff of General Manager Tamara Powell $115,000
Deputy Administration Commuter Rail Catherine Lynds $115,000

Director Maintenance Railroad Operations Steven Adkieas $114,000

Deputy Administrator Rail John Ray $114,000

Director Administration Florence Hall $114,000

Director Compliance and Reporting Laura Guadagno $114,000

Director finance and Administrative Operations Thomas Johnson $113,000

Lt. Police William Fleming $113,000

Lt. Police Robert Lenehan $113,000

Deputy, Chief Information Security Officer Martin Pina $113,000

Chief of Staff Operations Walter Reed $111,000

Director Capital Accounting Edward Murray $110,000

Director finance Policy and analyses Janice Ramsey $110,000

Director Labor Relations Kimberly Poirier $110,000

Director Research and Analysis Laurel Paget-Seekias $110,000

Director Accounting Joseph Connolly $110,000

Director Bus Maintenance Troy Ellerbee $110,000

Director Administration and Finance John Thornton $110,000

Lt. Police Steven Douglas $107,000

Deputy Dir. Signal & Communications Brian Caniff $108,000

Lt. Police Christopher Maynard $109,000

Director Asset Management Safyea Patel $107,000

Lt. Police Donald O'Connor $107,000

Deputy Chief Police Gloria Andrews-Ward $107,000

Lt. Police Kenneth Berg $107,000

Director Right-of-Way Maintenance William Lally $110,000

Director Design Margaret Lackner $103,000

Director Transportation and Customer Service R.R. Stephen Jones $108,000

Lawrence, Massachusetts "Not Seasonally Adjusted" Jobless Rate Increases To 8.5 Percent In May 2015

Between April and May 2015, the official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Lawrence, Massachusetts increased from 8.1 to 8.5 percent; while Massachusetts’ “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate increased from 4.1 to 4.4 percent during the same period, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in 6 other major Massachusetts cities and in the town of North Adams was still higher than the “not seasonally adjusted” national U.S. unemployment rate of 5.3 percent in May 2015:

1. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Springfield, Massachusetts increased from 7.6 to 8.2 percent between April and May 2015;

2. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in New Bedford, Massachusetts increased from 7.4 to 7.5 percent between April and May 2015;

3. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Fall River, Massachusetts was still 7.4 percent in May 2015;

4. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in North Adams, Massachusetts increased from 6.6 to 6.8 percent between April and May 2015;

5. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Brockton, Massachusetts increased from 5.6 to 6 percent between April and May 2015;

6. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Lowell, Massachusetts increased from 5.4 to 5.7 percent between April and May 2015; and.

The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Worcester, Massachusetts increased from 5 to 5.4 percent between April and May 2015; while the official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Pittsfield, Massachusetts was still 5.2 percent in May 2015. In addition, between April and May 2015, the official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Lynn, Massachusetts increased from 4.6 to 5 percent; while the official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Boston, Massachusetts increased from 3.7 to 4.1 percent during the same period.

According to the Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s June 23, 2015 press release:

“Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates for May…in…labor markets in the state…rose in sixteen…The statewide unadjusted unemployment rate for May was 4.4 percent, up 0.3 of a percentage point from the April 2015 rate….”

Between April and May 2015, the “not seasonally adjusted” number of unemployed workers in Massachusetts increased from 148,600 to 157,900; and around 44,000 of these officially unemployed workers lived in Boston, Brockton, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester or North Adams, according to the “not seasonally adjusted” data. 

Lawrence, Massachusetts "Not Seasonally Adjusted" Jobless Rate Still 8.1 Percent In April 2015

In April 2015, the official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Lawrence, Massachusetts was still 8.1 percent; while Massachusetts’ “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate was still 4.4 percent during that same month, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in 4 other major Massachusetts cities and in the town of North Adams was still higher than the “not seasonally adjusted” national U.S. unemployment rate of 5.4 percent in April 2015:

1. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Fall River, Massachusetts was still 7.8 percent in April 2015;

2. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Springfield, Massachusetts was still 7.6 percent in April 2015;

3. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in New Bedford, Massachusetts was still 7.4 percent in April 2015;

4. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in North Adams, Massachusetts was still 6.6 percent in April 2015; and

5. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Brockton, Massachusetts was still 5.6 percent in April 2015.

In addition, the official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Lowell, Massachusetts was still 5.4 percent in April 2015; while the official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Boston, Massachusetts was still 3.7 percent during that same month.

According to the Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s June 18, 2015 press release:

“Over the month [of May 2015]….transportation and warehousing lost 500 jobs…Information lost 200 (-0.2%) jobs over the month…Professional, Scientific and Business Services lost 400 (-0.1%) jobs over the month….The May estimates show….168,700 were unemployed…..”

In April 2015, the “not seasonally adjusted” number of unemployed workers in Massachusetts was still 157,900; and around 42,000 of these officially unemployed workers lived in Boston, Brockton, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford,, Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester or North Adams, according to the “not seasonally adjusted” data. 

Fall River, Massachusetts' `Not Seasonally Adjusted' Jobless Rate: Still 10.1 Percent In March 2015

In March 2015, the official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Fall River, Massachusetts was still 10.1 percent; while Massachusetts’ “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate was still 5.5 percent during that same month, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in 7 other major Massachusetts cities and in the town of North Adams was still higher than the “not seasonally adjusted” national U.S. unemployment rate of 5.6 percent in March 2015:

1. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Lawrence, Massachusetts was still 9.6 percent in March 2015;

2. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in New Bedford, Massachusetts was still 9.6 percent in March 2015;

3. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Springfield, Massachusetts was still 9 percent in March 2015;

4. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in North Adams, Massachusetts was still 7.8 percent in March 2015;

5. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Brockton, Massachusetts was still 6.6 percent in March 2015;

6. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Lowell, Massachusetts was still 6.3 percent in March 2015;

7. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Pittsfield, Massachusetts was still 6.2 percent in March 2015;

8. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Worcester, Massachusetts was still 5.7 percent in March 2015;

In addition, the official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Lynn, Massachusetts was still 5.4 percent in March 2015; while the official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Boston, Massachusetts was still 4.2 percent during that same month.

According to the Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s April 16, 2015 press release:

“….Information had no change….in its jobs level over the month….Construction lost 2,100…jobs over the month….Financial Activities lost 500….jobs over the month….Government lost 200….jobs over the month…”

In March 2015, the “not seasonally adjusted” number of unemployed workers in Massachusetts was still 181,100; and around 49,000 of these officially unemployed workers lived in Boston, Brockton, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester or North Adams, according to the “not seasonally adjusted” data. 

Falll River, Massachusetts `Not Seasonally Adjusted' Jobless Rate Jumps To 10.7 Percent in January 2015

Between December 2014 and January 2015, the official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Fall River, Massachusetts jumped from 8.9 to 10.7 percent; while the Massachusetts “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate increased from 4.9 to 5.6 percent during the same period, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in 9 other major Massachusetts cities and in the town of North Adams also increased between December 2014 and January 2015:

1. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Lawrence, Massachusetts increased from 9.6 to 10.4 percent between December 2014 and January 2015;

2. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in New Bedford, Massachusetts increased from 8.8 to 10.3 percent between December 2014 and January 2015;

3. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Springfield, Massachusetts increased from 9.4 to 10.2 percent between December 2014 and January 2015;

4.. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in North Adams, Massachusetts increased from 8 to 8.7 percent between December 2014 and January 2015;

5. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Brockton, Massachusetts increased from 6.7 to 7.4 percent between December 2014 and January 2015;

6. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Lowell, Massachusetts increased from 6.3 to 7.1 percent between December 2014 and January 2015;

7. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Pittsfield, Massachusetts increased from 6.1 to 6.6 percent between December 2014 and January 2015;

8. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Worcester, Massachusetts increased from 5.8 to 6.3 percent between December 2014 and January 2015;

9. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Lynn, Massachusetts increased from 5.5 to 6.2 percent between December 2014 and January 2015; and.

10. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Boston, Massachusetts increased from 4.4 to 4.8 percent between December 2014 and January 2015,

According to the Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s March 12, 2015 press release:

“…The seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates for January were up in all twenty-four labor market areas according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics compared to December 2014 rates…During January 2015, both Massachusetts and the fifteen local areas for which job estimates are published experienced seasonal job losses…”

And according to the Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s March 19, 2015 press release:

“…Released preliminary February 2015 estimates…show…manufacturing had no change….in its jobs level over the month…Trade, Transportation and Utilities lost 3,200…jobs over the month…. Construction lost 900…jobs over the month…Leisure and Hospitality lost 500…jobs over the month…”.

Between December 2014 and January 2015, the “not seasonally adjusted” number of unemployed workers in Massachusetts increased by 22,000—from 176,000 to 198,000;  and nearly 55,000 of these officially unemployed workers lived in Boston, Brockton, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester or North Adams. In addition, during the month of February 2015, 193,900 workers in Massachusetts were still unemployed, according to the “not seasonally adjusted” data. 

Lawrence, Massachusetts `"Not Seasonally Adjusted' Jobless Rate Increases To 11 Percent In November 2014

Between October and November 2014, the “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate increased in 7 major Massachusetts cities and in the town of North Adams, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data; while Massachusetts’ “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate increased from 5.1 to 5.2 percent during the same period:

1. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Lawrence, Massachusetts increased from 10.4 to 11 percent between October and November 2014;

2. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in New Bedford, Massachusetts increased from 8.9 to 9.4 percent between October and November 2014;

3. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Fall River, Massachusetts increased from 8.2 to 9 percent between October and November 2014;

4. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Springfield, Massachusetts increased from 8.4 to 8.7 percent between October and November 2014;

5. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Brockton, Massachusetts increased from 7.1 to 7.2 percent between October and November 2014;

6. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Worcester, Massachusetts increased from 6.4 to 6.5 percent between October and November 2014;

7. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Lowell, Massachusetts increased from 6.4 to 6.5 percent between October and November 2014; and

8. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in North Adams, Massachusetts increased from 6.4 to 7.5 percent between October and November 2014.

The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Lynn, Massachusetts was still 6 percent in November 2014; while the official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Pittsfield, Massachusetts was still 5.6 percent during that same month..

In addition, the official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Boston, Massachusetts was still 5.2 percent in November 2014,

According to the Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s January 22, 2015 press release, the Bureau of Labor Statistics “revised its November job estimate to an 11,700 job gain from the 13,500 gain previously reported for the month;” and between November and December 2014, “manufacturing lost 700 (-0.3%) jobs over the month” and “information lost 500 (-0.5%) jobs over the month..”.

In November 2014, according to the “not seasonally adjusted” data, 187,500 workers in Massachusetts were still unemployed; and nearly 48,000 of these officially unemployed workers lived in Boston, Brockton, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford, Springfield, Pittsfield, Worcester or North Adams..

Lawrence, Massachusetts `Not Seasonally Adjusted' Jobless Rate: 12.3 Percent In September 2014

Nine major Massachusetts cities had “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rates in September 2014 that exceeded the national “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate for that month of 5.7 percent, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data:

1. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Lawrence, Massachusetts was 12.3 percent in September 2014;

2. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in New Bedford, Massachusetts was 10.6 percent in September 2014;

3. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Fall River, Massachusetts was 10.5 percent in September 2014;

4. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Springfield, Massachusetts was 10.2 percent in September 2014;

5. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Brockton, Massachusetts was 8.7 percent in September 2014;

6. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Worcester, Massachusetts was 7.9 percent in September 2014;

7. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Lowell, Massachusetts was 7.8 percent in September 2014;

8. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Lynn, Massachusetts was 7.4 percent in September 2014; and

9. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Boston, Massachusetts was 6.4 percent in September 2014.

According to the Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s November 20, 2014 press release:

“The October total unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.0 percent…Trade, Transportation and Utilities lost 1,800 (-0.3%) jobs over the month….Leisure and Hospitality lost 1,500 (-0.4%) jobs over the month…Financial Activities lost 500 (-0.2%) jobs over the month…Manufacturing lost 400 (-0.2%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Manufacturing lost 700 (-0.3%) jobs…”

Massachusetts' `Not Seasonally Adjusted' Unemployment Rate Increases To 6.2 Percent In September 2014

Between August and September 2014, the “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Massachusetts increased from 6 to 6.2 percent; while the national “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in the United States decreased from 6.3 to 5.7 percent during the same period, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

The official “not seasonally adjusted” number of unemployed workers in Massachusetts also increased by 5,400 (from 212,800 to 218,200) between August and September 2014; while the “not seasonally adjusted” number of Massachusetts workers who still had jobs decreased by 43,000 (from 3,352,700 to 3,309,700). In addition, the “not seasonally adjusted” number of workers still in the Massachusetts labor force decreased by 37,500 (from 3,565,400 to 3,527,900) between August and September 2014.

 According to Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s October 16, 2014 press release:

“…Education and Health Services lost 4,800 (-0.6%) jobs over the month…Other Services lost 800 (-0.6%) jobs level over the month…Manufacturing lost 700 (-0.3% ) jobs over the month…”

Lawrence, Massachusetts "Not Seasonally Adjusted" Jobless Rate: 11.9 Percent In July 2014

Eight major Massachusetts cities had “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rates in July 2014 that exceeded the national “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate for that month of 6.5 percent, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data:

1. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Lawrence, Massachusetts was 11.9 percent in July 2014;

2. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Springfield, Massachusetts was 10.5 percent in July 2014;

3. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in New Bedford, Massachusetts was 10.5 percent in July 2014;

4. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Fall River, Massachusetts was 10.1 percent in July 2014;

5. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Brockton, Massachusetts was 8.6 percent in July 2014;

6. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Worcester, Massachusetts was 8 percent in July 2014;

7. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Lynn, Massachusetts was 7.4 percent in July 2014; and

8. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Lowell, Massachusetts was 7.4 percent in July 2014.

The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Boston, Massachusetts was also still 6.4 percent in July 2014.

In addition, in Massachusetts between July and August 2014, according to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s September 18, 2014 press release:

“,,,Preliminary estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show Massachusetts lost 5,300 jobs in August…The August total unemployment rate was up 0.2 of a percentage point to 5.8 percent from the July rate…BLS also revised its July job estimates to a 12,200 job gain from the 13,800 gain previously reported for the month…

“…Trade, Transportation and Utilities lost 10,600 (-1.9%) jobs over the month…Construction lost 700 (-0.6%) jobs over the month…Manufacturing lost 700 (-0.3%) over the month….

“The August 2014 estimates show…203,800 were unemployed…as 2,300 fewer residents were employed and 8,100 more residents were unemployed over the month…”

In July 2014, according to the “not seasonally adjusted” data, 217,300 workers in Massachusetts were still unemployed; and 59,478 of these unemployed workers lived in Boston, Brockton, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford, Springfield or Worcester..

Fall River, Massachusetts "Not Seasonally Adjusted" Jobless Rate Increased To 14.7 Percent In March 2014

Nine major Massachusetts cities had “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rates in March 2014 that exceeded the national “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate for that month of 6.3 percent, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data:

1. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Fall River, Massachusetts was 14.7 percent in March 2014;

2. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Lawrence, Massachusetts was 13.9 percent in March 2014;

3. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in New Bedford, Massachusetts was 12.7 percent in March 2014;

4. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Springfield, Massachusetts was 10.4 percent in March 2014;

5. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Brockton, Massachusetts was 8.2 percent in March 2014;

6. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Pittsfield, Massachusetts was 7.6 percent in March 2014;

7. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Worcester, Massachusetts was 7.6 percent in March 2014;

8. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Lowell, Massachusetts was 7.5 percent in March 2014; and

9. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Lynn, Massachusetts was 7.4 percent in March 2014.

The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Boston, Massachusetts in March 2014 was still 5.6 percent.

In addition, in Massachusetts between April and March 2014, according to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s May 15, 2014 press release:

“…Preliminary estimates show that Massachusetts lost 1,600 jobs in April…Over the month, jobs were down 1,600 with private sector jobs down 3,000…. Leisure and Hospitality lost 4,300 (-1.3%) jobs over the month…Professional, Scientific and Business Services lost 2,000 (-0.4%) jobs over the month…Education and Health Services lost 800 (-0.1%) jobs over the month…Information lost 400 (-0.4%) jobs over the month... The April labor force decreased by 1,400…”

In March 2014, according to the “not seasonally adjusted” data, 231,300 workers in Massachusetts were still unemployed; and 60,500 of these unemployed workers lived in Boston, Brockton, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Springfield or Worcester..

Fall River, Massachusetts "Not Seasonally Adjusted" Jobless Rate In February 2014: 14.5 Percent

Nine major Massachusetts cities had “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rates in February 2014 that exceeded the national “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate for that month of 7 percent, according to recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data:

1. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Fall River, Massachusetts was 14.5 percent in February 2014;

2. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Lawrence, Massachusetts was 13.7 percent in February 2014;

3. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in New Bedford, Massachusetts was 13.2 percent in February 2014;

4. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Springfield, Massachusetts was 10.4 percent in February 2014;

5. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Brockton, Massachusetts was 8.3 percent in February 2014;

6. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Pittsfield, Massachusetts was 8 percent in February 2014;

7. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Worcester, Massachusetts was 7.8 percent in February 2014;

8. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Lowell, Massachusetts was 7.7 percent in February 2014; and

9. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Lynn, Massachusetts was 7.5 percent in February 2014.

The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Boston, Massachusetts in February 2014 was still 5.8 percent in February 2014.

In addition, in Massachusetts between March and April 2014, according to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s April 17, 2014 press release:

“…Professional, Scientific and Business Services lost 2,100 (-0.4%) jobs over the month…Construction lost 900 (-0.7%) jobs over the month….Manufacturing lost 300 (-0.1%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Manufacturing lost 800 (-0.3%) jobs. Financial Activities lost 200 (-0.1%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Financial Activities lost 600 (-0.3%) jobs…”

In February 2014, according to the “not seasonally adjusted” data, 237,900 workers in Massachusetts were still unemployed. 

Lawrence, Massachussetts' `Not Seasonally Adjusted' Jobless Rate In August 2013: 14.9 Percent

Eight major Massachusetts cities had “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rates in August 2013 that exceeded the national “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate for that month of 7.3 percent, according to recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data:

1. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Lawrence, Massachusetts was 14.9 percent in August 2013;

2. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in New Bedford, Massachusetts was 13.1 percent in August 2013;

3. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Fall River, Massachusetts was 12.3 percent in August 2013;

4. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Springfield, Massachusetts was 11.6 percent in August 2013;

5. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Brockton, Massachusetts was 9.5 percent in August 2013;

6. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Worcester, Massachusetts was 8.9 percent in August 2013;

7. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Lowell, Massachusetts was 8.5 percent in August 2013; and

8. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Lynn, Massachusetts was 7.9 percent in August 2013.

The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Boston, Massachusetts in August 2013 was 7.1 percent.


According to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s September 19, 2013 press release:

“…Revised BLS estimates show a 300 jobs loss in July….Over the year, Manufacturing lost 1,500 (-0.6%) jobs….Other Services lost 1,200 (-1.0%) jobs over the month… Professional, Scientific and Business Services lost 300 (-0.1%) jobs over the month…Trade, Transportation and Utilities lost 100 (0.0%) jobs over the month…The August labor force increased by 1,200 from 3,490,600 in July 2013, as 1,200 fewer residents were employed and 2,400 more residents were unemployed over the month….”

In August 2013, according to the “not seasonally adjusted” data, 241,700 workers in Massachusetts were still unemployed. Over 66,000 of these unemployed Massachusetts workers—or around one out of every four unemployed Bay State workers—live in either Boston, Brockton, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford, Springfield or Worcester.

Lawrence, Massachusetts `Not Seasonally Adjusted' Jobless Rate In June 2013: 15.7 Percent

Nine major Massachusetts cities had “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rates in June 2013 that exceeded the national “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate for that month of 7.8 percent, according to recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data:

1. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Lawrence, Massachusetts was 15.7 percent in June 2013;

2. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in New Bedford, Massachusetts was 13.6 percent in June 2013;

3. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Fall River, Massachusetts was 12 percent in June 2013;

4. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Springfield, Massachusetts was 11.9 percent in June 2013;

5. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Brockton, Massachusetts was 9.9 percent in June 2013;

6. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Worcester, Massachusetts was 9.7 percent in June 2013;

7. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Lowell, Massachusetts was 9.3 percent in June 2013;

8. The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Lynn, Massachusetts was 8.6 percent in June 2013; and

9. The official “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate in Pittsfield, Massachusetts was 8.3 percent in June 2013; and

The official “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate in Boston, Massachusetts in June 2013 was 7.8 percent—the same “not seasonally adjusted” jobless rate as the U.S. national “not seasonally adjusted” unemployment rate for that month.

According to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s August 15, 2013 press release, “revised BLS estimates show a 2,100 jobs loss in June” 2013 in Massachusetts. And in Massachusetts during July 2013:

“Education and Health Services shed 1,100…jobs over the month…Other Services lost 600… jobs over the month…Manufacturing lost 400 jobs…over the month….Government lost 2,200…jobs over the month….”

In July 2013, according to the “not seasonally adjusted” date, 255,900 workers in Massachusetts were still unemployed.

Massachusets "Not Seasonally Adjusted" Unemployment Rate Jumps To 7.4 Percent In June 2013

If you haven't had much luck finding a job in Massachusetts recently, you're probably not the only one in Massachusetts who's been having some difficulty getting hired  recently under the current U.S. economic system and the Democratic Patrick Administration in Massachusetts.

Between May and June 2013, the official "not seasonally adjusted" jobless rate in Massachusetts jumped from 6.7 to 7.4 percent, according to the recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data; while the total number of unemployed workers in Massachusetts increased by 27,000 (from 234,3000 to 261,000) during the same period.

The Progressive Party of Massachusetts Revisited

If you feel that neither the corporate-sponsored Republicans nor the corporate-sponsored Democrats offer much of an electoral alternative for anti-corporate Massachusetts voters these days, your feeling is not an historically unique one. After World War II, Massachusetts supporters of Henry Wallace's unsuccessful 1948 Progressive Party presidential campaign attempted to provide progressive voters in Massachusetts with an electoral alternative to the Democrats and Republicans by forming the Progressive Party of Massachusetts.

By the mid-1950s, however, the Progressive Party of Massachusetts had pretty much disappeared as a factor in Massachusetts electoral politics. But one of the campaign songs for its 1949 Boston mayoralty candidate, "The MTA Song", was recorded by The Kingston Trio in the late 1950s and remained on Billboard's "Top 40" list of hit records for six weeks during the summer of 1959.

In its 1952 platform, the Progressive Party of Massachusetts characterized the political situation in Massachusetts at that time in the following way:

"Today fear and desperation are in tens and thousands of Massachusetts homes…

"Stop the shameless corruption and chiseling, the politicians' junkets and sheer waste and inefficiency and tens of thousands of dollars would be available for the real needs of the people of Massachusetts.

"Second, end the greater graft and chiseling represented by Massachusetts' outrageous income tax law, under which the man who gets a hundred thousand dollars pays at no higher rate than the worker who earns $2500. The burden of all our state activities is shifted onto the shoulder of our working people. Taxation according to ability to pay thru a graduated income tax law, would make millions of dollars available for state needs…"

In its 1952 platform, the Progressive Party of Massachusetts also called for such things as:

1.a public works program to provide jobs for unemployed Massachusetts residents;
2.an end to "Jim Crow policies of public utilities (gas, electric, telephone, etc)" in Massachusetts "who employ the basic minimum number of Negroes;"
3.a stop to police brutality and racist attacks in Massachusetts;
4.a state rent control law;
5.tax exemption for small homeowners; and
6.free state college education for all qualified youth in Massachusetts.

In its November 17, 1952 post-election analysis, however, the Progressive Party of Massachusetts indicated why--despite its visionary platform and its popular anti-war position--it failed to attract many Massachusetts voters during the Korean War era:

"…There is an automatic distrust of the Progressive Party and of everything that they propose.

"…There is considerable isolation between progressives which prevents that all important feeling of oneness.

"These realities are best understood if we delve for a moment on the root causes. Most outstanding is our lack of personal contact in the community. By this is meant that while we take certain issues and enter the community to get petitions signed, distribute leaflets…we lack the all important factor of developing a person-to-person relationship.

"Clearly related to this question is our lack of follow-up on the contacts that we do make…

"Of course not to be overlooked was the general black-out of all news of the Progressive Party in the press, radio and TV. This lack of fair presentation of the fact that there was an opposition party contributed in no small way to the size of our vote and our inability to reach people effectively…"

Four years before, in 1948, the Progressive Party of Massachusetts' executive director, Walter O'Brien, had entered the Democratic Party's primary in Boston's 10th Congressional District and had actually won the Democratic nomination there, by securing 20,000 votes. Although O'Brien subsequently lost in the heavily Republican district to his Republic opponent, Christian Herter, in the general election, 59,000 voters did cast ballots for O'Brien in November 1948.

The following year, O'Brien was the Progressive Party of Massachusetts' candidate for Mayor of Boston. And hopes were initially high among the approximately 1,500 party members in Massachusetts that their executive director might actually win the 1949 Boston mayoralty election. The minutes of the Progressive Party of Massachusetts State Committee meeting of June 24, 1949, for instance, noted how O'Brien summarized the state's political situation at that time:

"Reports opportune year for stepping up activity. Unemployment prime issue in Commonwealth. Lawrence should be major concentration due to mass unemployment there, though Boston has many big problems, such as Nation's worst slums…"

Another party leader, Amos Murphy of Lawrence, also reported that workers in Lawrence were "filled with angry and righteous resentment" and the possibilities were "enormous for placing Lawrence in vanguard of national progressive movement."

Born in Portland, Maine, O'Brien had been a shop steward in the CIO's Industrial Union of Shipbuilding Workers of America, prior to volunteering for the U.S. Merchant Marine in 1943. After World War II, he moved to Boston and was active in the Boston Tenants' Council before first running for Congress in 1948.

At the time of the 1949 Boston mayoralty campaign, 25,000 to 30,000 workers were unemployed in Boston, so O'Brien proposed that a city public works program be established. He also came out in favor of rent control in Boston and in opposition to the MTA fare increase that inspired his campaign's famous "MTA Song".

The "temporary" fare increase on MTA lines was put into effect on August 6, 1949, after its approval by the Department of Public Utilities at a 90-minute closed hearing. Although O'Brien's subsequent stirring speech at an anti-fare increase rally on the Boston Common--that thousands of protesting Boston commuters attended--was well-received, the favorable crowd response did not translate into votes for the Progressive Party of Massachusetts candidate in the 1949 Boston mayoralty election. Less than 3,300 votes were received by O'Brien, while Democratic Mayor Curley received over 126,000 votes and the Boston corporate establishment-backed candidate, Hynes, won the election with over 137,000 votes.

To draw votes away from O'Brien's 1949 campaign, the Democratic Party machine in Boston also entered another candidate whose last name was also "O'Brien". The Democratic Party machine's hope was that the dissatisfied voters who wanted to vote for "Walter O'Brien" would, in this way, get confused and end up casting meaningless votes for "Thomas O'Brien", instead.

The Progressive Party of Massachusetts' 1949 mayoralty candidate in Boston charged that a "generation of misrule in Boston" and an "unholy alliance of State Street and City hall" had "kept Boston a sink-hole of reaction and corruption." O'Brien also accused the Democratic Party's Curley Machine of squeezing people to pay for obtaining city government contracts and leaving most Boston residents poor, while Curley "posed as anti-bankers." Following its 1949 electoral defeat in Boston, the O'Brien for Mayor campaign attributed Hynes' victory to a "deluge of expensive advertising, radio and billboard blurbs and assorted maneuvers" and his endorsement by a "coterie of Republicans" and a Truman Administration cabinet member named Tobin.

Despite its 1949 defeat in the Boston mayoralty election, in December 1949 the Progressive Party of Massachusetts still had 18 genuinely active political clubs in Massachusetts. Its leaders also felt that these clubs should then begin to concentrate their organizing efforts in Worcester, Lawrence, Springfield, Dorchester, Roxbury, East Boston and South Boston. And in 1950, Progressive Party of Massacusetts members were attempting to win the following demands in Boston:

1. better housing in the South End;
2. breaking Jim Crow in city jobs;
3. end to police brutality;
4. increased welfare benefits;
5. more modern fireproof schools and playgrounds; and
6. a better city medical center.

But in Lawrence, Massachusetts, a local Progressive Party of Massachusetts leader complained about the lack of support from Boston members for their party's 1950 campaign to elect Amos Murphy to political office there. In a November 11,1950 letter to Boston party leader O'Brien after the 1950 election, for instance, an Amos Murphy campaign supporter wrote the following:

"Dear Wally,

"To us, Progressives in Lawrence, it is clear that to date Boston Progressives, including yourself, have failed to see the significance of the Murphy campaign in Lawrence. This is apparent from the lack of support from Boston.

"This political blindness must be corrected now…"

The following year, a November 17, 1951 "Report of the Administrative Committee to the State Committee" of the Progressive Party of Massachusetts indicated why the party was generally unsuccessful in attracting African-American voters in Massachusetts, despite its anti-racist political program:

"White supremacy attitudes are latent in the Progressive Party organization, its attitude toward Negro membership and especially toward Negro leadership in the Progressive Party."

Ironically, in the 21st century, some of the same political problems and weaknesses that characterized the Progressive Party of Massachusetts 60 years ago have also plagued some of the third-party alternative groups that are currently seeking to use the Massachusetts electoral process to immediately end poverty and homelessness in Massachusetts in 2011.