BOSTON, MA – An industry that rarely takes a day off announced a sweeping agreement between unions and major general contractors to work jointly and officially to formally elevate the status of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in upcoming labor contracts and accords, ensuring workers will have the day off or will have access to overtime pay on the holiday, setting a standard that goes above and beyond federal and state law.
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BOSTON, MA – An industry that rarely takes a day off announced a sweeping agreement between unions and major general contractors to work jointly and officially to formally elevate the status of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in upcoming labor contracts and accords, ensuring workers will have the day off or will have access to overtime pay on the holiday, setting a standard that goes above and beyond federal and state law.
Continue reading
BOSTON, MA – An industry that rarely takes a day off announced a sweeping agreement between unions and major general contractors to work jointly and officially to formally elevate the status of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in upcoming labor contracts and accords, ensuring workers will have the day off or will have access to overtime pay on the holiday, setting a standard that goes above and beyond federal and state law.
Continue reading
BOSTON – The Greater Boston Building Trades Unions released the following statement today following the announcement and confirmation issued by the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden that Boston Mayor and union member Martin J. Walsh will be appointed to the position of U.S. Secretary of Labor.
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BOSTON, MA — All union construction sites in Greater Boston paused to affirm Black Lives Matter on Friday at 8:46 a.m. The June 19 “stand down” lasted for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the amount of time that Derick Chauvin knelt on the neck of George Floyd, a Black man, killing him, in Minneapolis, MN.
Coordinated by the Boston Building Trades Unions in partnership with union contractors, the jobsite actions occurred on Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, and honored the lives of George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others.
The actions halted construction at union sites throughout the area. A brief speaking program in East Boston at the Boston Housing Authority redevelopment of affordable units at Orient Heights preceded the regional stand down.
The stand down and its message drew praise and statements of support from across the industry, some of which are included below, along with statements from the kickoff event in East Boston, the livestream of which can be viewed here. Courtesy photos from the stand down kickoff are also attached.
“We are here to fight for Black lives because Black Lives Matter,” said Brian Doherty, General Agent of the Boston Building Trades Unions.
“We in the Building Trades Unions are committed to working together to dismantle the systems of racism and oppression that have led to the deaths of so many Black people in our communities,” said Alexis Jones of the Building Trades Unions. “These systems have kept the working class people here and around the world from achieving true and shared prosperity. We in the Labor movement know that we cannot achieve economic equality and true justice until we recognize that workers’ rights and civil rights are one and the same. Today, and every day, we commit to building the world as we know possible, and together we fight for Black lives because Black Lives Matter.”
“Our country is on fire, and we are fed up. Our economic and political systems are rigged to favor the super-wealthy. Racism in all its forms must be abolished so that our multiracial working class can unite. The Labor Movement knows that we cannot win economic justice without racial justice and that Black Lives Matter. It is time to act,” said Darlene Lombos, executive secretary-treasurer of the Greater Boston Labor Council, reading out from a statement released by the GBLC movement in support of Black Lives Matter.
“Let us look in the mirror and take responsibility for our own actions. Let’s ask ourselves – what can I do to create a more diverse and inclusive community? How can I set positive examples for those around me, both at work and at home? How can I create a ripple effect and encourage others to join the cause? We must do this together. We cannot build communities, without first building community,” said John Fish, CEO of Suffolk.
“I thank the unions today because Dr. Martin Luther King, in the People’s March, marched for people’s rights and civil rights, but it was for jobs, as well. And he recognized the importance of unions, and how being a member of a union you can uplift and support your family and put your kids through college and put a roof over your head. So we look forward to working with you, not just today but every day, as we push this conversation and work to elevate more Black and Brown folks into leadership,” said Linda Dorcena Forry, Vice President of Suffolk.
“Our Local unions are working in many ways to eliminate racism in all of its forms, at work and everywhere,” said Caron Reese of the Boston Building Trades Unions.
“As an industry, today’s moment of silence was an important first step toward working together to be a part of the solution for a more equitable and inclusive future.”
— Consigli Construction Co., Inc.
“We, at Gilbane, have seen the ongoing evidence of systemic racism that continues to plague our communities of color across the nation for far too long. Collectively, we all must play an active role in being antiracist. We all have an obligation to stand up and stand down against discrimination in any form and listen to the voices of those who are directly impacted.”
— Gilbane Building Company, Boston, MA
“Commodore Builders supports the Building Trades in their stand down and stands in solidarity with the fight against systemic racism. We coordinated with our projects to support the moment of silence.”
— Commodore Builders, Waltham, MA
“We have a responsibility to speak out against the racist acts occurring in our communities and actively promote justice and equality. At Turner, racism and discrimination of any kind, in our offices and on our project sites is not and will not be tolerated. We work hard to create a diverse and inclusive culture. In view of the injustices that continue to occur in the communities where we live and work, it is clear we all must do more. We must move beyond quiet support and become active and accountable allies for racial equality.”
— Turner Construction Company, Boston, MA
“Building Pathways declares and affirms to fight to ensure and to uphold that Black Lives Matter. We decry the institutional systems of racism and oppression that contributed to the murder of George Floyd and of countless other innocent Black people who have had their lives stolen and their rights abused.
Building Pathways is committed to fighting against and dismantling the barriers in our society that for too long have denied equitable access for Black people to good jobs, good health, and affordable housing. That includes by reflecting on our own practices, programs, and the history that necessitated our founding.
We must deepen our work and further our resolve to build not only career opportunities for Black people, but to fight for a world in which we celebrate Black lives, in which all Black people can not only breathe, but thrive, both in our industry and everywhere.”
— Building Pathways, Boston, MA
Other organizations that participated or offered support included but were not limited to:
BOND Building Construction, Medford, MA
John Moriarty and Associates, Brookline, MA
Skanska, Boston, MA
Boston Housing Authority
Construction workers and companies with personal protective equipment encouraged to donate NEW, unopened N-95 respirators and other PPE
BOSTON, MA — Under the leadership of City of Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh and in coordination with theBoston Public Health Commission, members of the Building Trades Unions along with their union contractor partners have been collecting new, unopened respirators and other vital personal protective equipment (PPE) to aid the city’s frontline health care workforce. Thousands of respirators have already been collected by the Building Trades Unions and distributed to frontline health care workers, but thousands more are needed.
The Building Trade Unions are issuing a broad public appeal to any and all construction workers and companies who may have new, unopened respirators (N95) or other vital PPE equipment, to donate those resources to the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC). They are calling on individuals and companies across the industry to donate their PPE to the cause of helping health workers win the fight against COVID-19. They are also phone banking construction industry stakeholders and reaching out through email and social media to identify stockpiles of PPE that can be donated.
“Mayor Walsh’s administration has taken this head-on and we are proud to partner with them to support their efforts. In partnership with the administration, the Building Trades Unions are collecting these critical supplies in order to aid our city’s frontline health workforce,” said Brian Doherty, General Agent of the Building Trades Unions. “We must ensure all first responders and frontline health workers, including those providing EMS/EMT services, senior care, home health care, care for the homeless, along with acute care in our hospitals have what they need to stay safe and to continue their critical work. Please contact emailems@bostonems.org to coordinate the time and location of your donation.”
“Every new, unopened mask N95 or above can make a difference,” continued Doherty. “You may have some in your garage or your company’s warehouse that are unopened and that could help save lives. Please help us get these resources to the Boston Public Health Commission, so they can ensure a centralized and rapid distribution to those on the frontlines.”
“We want to thank the Building Trades Union for stepping up to help during this time and for recognizing that we are all in this together,” said BPHC Executive Director Rita Nieves. “This generous donation will help protect our first responders and health care providers as they continue to provide life-saving care to the residents of Boston.”
To raise awareness of the PPE collection program and to increase industry participation, delivery of hundreds of N95 respirator masks to the Boston Public Health Commission is scheduled to be open to press for 5:30 PM EST today at 785 Albany Street, Boston, MA, 02118.
WHO: Members of the Building Trades Unions
WHAT: Delivery of N95 respirators collected through the construction industry to the Boston Public Health Commission to raise awareness of need for donations
WHEN: Wednesday, March 18, 5:30 PM EST
WHERE: Boston Emergency Medical Services (BPHC), 785 Albany Street, Boston, MA, 02118
To help promote the PPE collection effort, media are allowed to film outside the Commission during the delivery, but are asked to **maintain social distancing** while doing so.
If you or your company has the equipment to donate, please email emailems@bostonems.org and you will be assigned a drop-off time and location.
Boston area Building Trades Unions launch PSA for radio and web in effort to collect more personal protective equipment for front-line health workers
BOSTON, MA — In recent weeks, the Building Trades Unions along with their union contractor partners have led a drive within the construction industry to collect new, unopened personal protective equipment (PPE), such as N95 respirators, to donate those resources to front-line health workers.
Now, they are expanding that appeal with a new public service announcement to be aired on radio and web. Thousands of respirators and other PPE were collected and distributed to front-line health care workers through the drive, but thousands more are needed.
“Mayor Walsh’s administration has taken this head-on, and we are proud to support the administration’s efforts. In partnership with the administration, the Building Trades Unions are collecting these critical supplies in order to aid our city’s frontline health workforce,” said Brian Doherty, General Agent of the Building Trades Unions. “We must ensure all first responders and front-line health workers, including those providing EMS/EMT services, senior care, home health care, care for the homeless, along with acute care in our hospitals have what they need to stay safe and to continue their critical work. Please visit bostonppedonation.org to coordinate the time and location of your donation. Every new, unopened mask N95 or above can make a difference.”
The public service announcement reads:
“Do you work in the construction industry? Do you have access to new or unopened respirators, masks, or other personal protective equipment — or “PPE”? If so, please join us in collecting and donating that PPE to the health care workers on the frontlines of the current COVID-19 crisis. In coordination with the administration of Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Boston Public Health Commission, Building Trades Unions and their contractor partners across the region are collecting unopened respirators and other vital protective gear to aid the frontline health care workforce. Together, thanks to help from so many, we’ve already donated thousands of respirators and other PPE to support healthcare workers on the frontlines of this crisis. For more information on how to donate your new, unopened PPE, visit bostonPPEdonation.org. That’s bostonppedonation.org.”.
You can listen to and download the PSA here:
If you or your company has equipment to donate, please visit bostonPPEedonation.org and you will be assigned a drop-off time and location.
Workers and Riders Protest 20% Cut in MBTA Maintenance Workforce
New Data Reveals Link between Baker Cuts and MBTA Safety Crisis
Invest Now Coalition Launches New Information Campaign Decrying Maintenance Cuts, Calling for Investments in Safety
Watch TV Ad Here: http://safetransitnow.org
Boston, MA – New data has revealed that Governor Baker cut the MBTA’s front-line maintenance workforce by 20% during his first five years in office. During that same time, train derailments and safety problems have soared, putting the MBTA in a state of crisis.
The shocking revelation stems from a union information request, following workers’ growing concerns about insufficient staffing to meet the MBTA’s maintenance needs.
News of the 20% cut is prompting protests from workers and riders, the first of which took place Monday outside an MBTA board meeting.
“Let me be clear: the MBTA has become less safe on Governor Baker’s watch,” said Brian Doherty, Secretary-Treasurer / General Agent, Building and Construction Trades Council of the Metropolitan District (MetroBTC). “At a time when Governor Baker should be investing in safe, reliable, affordable public transportation, he’s instead slashing the MBTA’s maintenance workforce – and now it has one of the worst safety records in the nation,” said Doherty.
Doherty is part of the Invest Now coalition, which was first formed in 2016 to fend off a privatization scheme that would have hurt bus safety and reliability. The coalition is reforming to launch the Safe Transit Now campaign, calling for the restoration of maintenance jobs and further investments in safety.
The group announced that it would begin a sweeping advertising campaign hitting airwaves this week. Ads will air during prime-time and daytime television on top-rated television stations including CNN, MSNBC History, and CNBC. The campaign will also be featured on digital platforms, including Facebook and YouTube. They’ll be coupled with direct voter contact and MBTA rider engagement.
Watch the TV ad here: http://safetransitnow.org
The news of Baker’s maintenance cuts comes on the heels of a series of explosive reports showing that the MBTA’s derailment record is “among the nation’s worst” and that “safety is not the priority at the MBTA.”
Advocates say launching the information campaign now because they’re worried that the Governor will continue to spend taxpayer money on high-priced consultants and MBTA executive management, rather than the trained, front-line workers who fix the switches, repair the tracks, perform critically important maintenance and inspections, and keep the system reliable and safe.
“Rather than wasting taxpayer money on expensive consultants and executive management, it’s time for Governor Baker to focus on fixing the safety crisis he created, starting with investing in the trained, frontline workforce that keeps the trains running safely on the tracks,” said Darlene Lombos, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Greater Boston Labor Council (GBLC).
The MBTA is now among the nation’s worst for train derailments. Federal records show that there’s been 50 derailments since Governor Baker took office – the second-highest total of any metro transit system in the country.
The MBTA’s derailment history, experts say, isn’t normal. As railway safety expert Keith Millhouse told reporters in June, derailments “shouldn’t be happening with that frequency.” He went on to say that they’re a sign of a “real lax safety culture at the MBTA — and that culture emanates from the top.”
The string of high-profile derailments prompted the MBTA to tap outside experts to conduct an internal review. In December the panel released its scathing report. Among its explosive findings: “safety is not the priority at the MBTA.”
The report noted that workforce cuts prevented “required maintenance and inspections,” and “hampered efforts to keep the MBTA functional.” MBTA workers have been raising safety concerns for months. Those concerns, they say, have been ignored.
“How may more trains have to derail before Governor Baker will start listening?” asked MBTA WORKER. “How many more experts, workers, riders, advocates, and blue-ribbon panels have to raise the red flag before Governor Baker starts taking MBTA safety seriously?”
The Invest Now coalition, comprised of MBTA workers, advocates and riders, said that it needed to launch the Safe Transit Now campaign because of the Governor’s repeated refusal to address the MBTA’s unsafe maintenance staffing levels.
Advocates said they feared that if they didn’t speak up, the Governor would continue increasing fares on riders and cutting system maintenance as part of his failed scheme to privatize the MBTA.
On Monday, the group urged the Governor to immediately take action to invest in MBTA safety, starting with increasing the number of trained, frontline workers who fix the switches, repair the tracks, perform critically important maintenance and inspections, and keep the system reliable and safe.
“Hundreds of thousands of riders rely on the MBTA every day,” said Lee Matsueda, Executive Director of Community Labor United, and a member of the Invest Now coalition. “We count on the train to get to work, to run errands, to go to doctors’ appointments, and to get our kids to school. The MBTA is a public good, and the Governor owes it to each and every one of us to make sure we get home safe to our families every night.”
For more information on the campaign, please visit www.SafeTransitNow.org.
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