A CBA is a legal contract between cities, community organizations and developers that sets goals, needs, and priorities for development projects in the community.

On Wednesday, November 7th, the Labor Council joined fellow members of the JustSB collaborative to hold a press conference and make public comment at the San Bernardino City Council’s meeting. This was done in pursuit of a CBA or Community Benefit Agreement surrounding any development made at the Carousel Mall, and the 6-mile radius surrounding it.  

In the press conference, members of the collaborative spoke as well as community members whose goals closely align with those of JustSB. Key issues related to labor, the environment, housing, small businesses, and arts were all raised.  

Following the press conference, people were re-energized to advocate for a CBA in front of San Bernardino’s city council. Speaker after speaker went up and did not beg city council, but offered a partnership. There was a consistent demand for transparency when community spoke, both overall and specifically with regard to the Request for Proposals process around the Carousel Mall. Community showed willingness to work with the city, without acting as adversaries, in pursuit of a positive city development. 

At both the press conference and city council meeting, a future for a new San Bernardino was imagined. One where a worker could walk through an art-filled downtown alongside their child without worrying that they would develop asthma. Where they could point to a thriving small business and tell their child “I helped build that!” on the way back to their affordable apartment.  

We as the IELC will be tracking this development closely and continue working with our fellow collaborative members to bring forward a CBA in future development of the Carousel Mall. Our work continues! The next event surrounding this development will be on February 8th of 2025, aimed at connecting with the community more around what they want to see in a future CBA.