WORCESTER — After months of meetings, the Worcester Community-Labor Coalition has reached and signed a Community Benefits Agreement with city and the Worcester Red Sox for the construction of Polar Park.

City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. said the 14-page agreement covers a wide range of issues, including commitments for local hiring, sourcing, environmental protections and accessibility.

The CBA was the result of numerous meetings with city and Worcester Red Sox officials since it was announced in August 2018 that the Pawtucket Red Sox would be moving here for the start of the 2021 season.

The Worcester Community-Labor Coalition began its call for a Community Benefits Agreement as soon as the ballpark project was announced, to ensure that community and neighborhood concerns are addressed.

Calling the agreement, a "home run," the coalition said it responds to community concerns by providing additional assurances that public tax dollars supporting the ballpark project are also supporting the community.

"The Worcester Community-Labor Coalition applauds the leadership of City Manager Augustus and Larry Lucchino from the Worcester Red Sox for signing this agreement," said Jack Donahue, organized labor co-chair of the coalition. "I want to congratulate our city manager, the Worcester Red Sox and the five other members of the Worcester Community-Labor Coalition that sat shoulder to shoulder all these months going line by line, revision by revision, to get this CBA done.

"We’ve already seen that the ballpark was a great economic development decision for our city," he added. "This CBA is the next level. It protects good jobs, the neighborhood, our community, the right to organize a union, and it provides opportunities for our young people, making Worcester’s future even brighter."

Maritza Cruz, community co-chair of the coalition, called the Community Benefits Agreement a "big deal," adding that it assures commitment by the Worcester Red Sox and the city.

"We were clear from the start when we said the ballpark development will directly impact the Green Island Neighborhood," Cruz said. "We cannot ignore the needs, hopes and priorities of the women, men and young people that are the true developers of this community. The Worcester-Community Labor Coalition is committed to working collaboratively to ensure a successful outcome. More Worcester residents will benefit from the ballpark development because of this CBA."

Sixty Worcester-based community and labor organizations signed on to the coalition's original call for a CBA in September 2018, pledging to support the city manager’s ballpark proposal if community needs were included in the project’s plans.

The Worcester Community-Labor Coalition is comprised of Worcester-based community, faith and labor organizations and was formed in 2012 as an effort to secure a place for community participation in economic development decisions taking place in Worcester.