Keeping jobs local: Burlington city law bans use of outsourcing

By Shay Totten | Vermont Guardian

posted December 2, 2005

Officials in Burlington have a message for companies that outsource jobs to faraway countries: Don’t come looking for business at City Hall.

A resolution adopted unanimously by the city council on Nov. 21 sets a policy that the city will not give service contracts to contractors, subcontractors, and vendors who are not performing that work in the United States or Canada. An amendment to strike Canada from the ordinance failed on an 8-3 vote.

The new city law was spurred by Progressive Phil Fiermonte, who represents the city’s working class Old North End and is a longtime aide to Rep. Bernie Sanders, I-VT. It is the first such ordinance to be passed in Vermont.

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