Happy New Year!
All indications show that 2019 is set to be another busy year for the construction industry. At the Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts, we are looking forward to a year of growth and success. One of our goals for 2019 is to grow membership by providing the essential tools for subcontractors to be successful. We have members throughout the state, both union and non-union working on private and public jobs. We are driven by our mission, which is simple and straight-forward, “to protect and advance the interests of all subcontractors and promote professionalism in public and private construction through education, communication, and advocacy.” We are excited to carry out this mission in 2019 by focusing on some important programs and services. Here is a preview.

Legislative Involvement
January marks the start of the new 2019-2020 Legislative session and ASM looks to continue our track record to help our members remain successful in their business. Each session over 5,000 bills are filed in the Legislature. And just like every other industry and profession, we will be focused on the bills that impact our members and the work they do. Many of the bills that are filed are “refiles,” or bills that were considered last session but never made it through the process. Of course, many of the bills are completely unrelated to the world of construction.

Protecting subcontractors and the construction industry remains a priority. This may mean, for example, opposing legislation that would diminish our Filed Sub Bid laws or bringing fairness from the employer perspective on the debate about wage theft. And just as we did last year, we will be looking to bring fairness back to the state’s indemnity statute, which, due to a series of appellate court decisions over the years, allows general contractors to continue to include contractual provisions requiring subcontractors to shoulder responsibility for the negligence of others. This bill is about fairness in sharing risks and costs in construction projects.

Subcontractors typically perform 80-85% of the work on construction jobs and our members are a driving force in the state economy and provide many well-paying jobs for construction professionals. Having a voice on Beacon Hill has never been so important.

Opioid Crisis
In the fall we noted the 2018 Mass. Department of Public Health report citing construction as the leading industry for opioid-related deaths. There is a common acknowledgment in the construction industry that more must be done to combat this trend. As a first step, ASM is partnering with other construction groups to host a program on January 23rd entitled, “Commercial Construction Industry Opioid Summit.” Respected health care representatives, construction companies, and trade union panelists will share their perspectives on implementing practical solutions aimed at assisting employees and their families.

This will serve as a first step for ASM, and the industry as a whole, to raise awareness on how this issue impacts construction but also to provide our members with the resources needed to help with prevention and recovery. Our goal is to continue to bring attention to the opioid crisis throughout 2019.

Safety Roundtable
Workplace safety is a priority for ASM member companies and that’s why we are putting together a full schedule of programs starting this month. The data highlights the importance of workplace safety. According to OSHA, there were 971 fatalities nationwide in construction work in 2017 and the leading cause is falls. 26 of those were in Massachusetts. The ASM Safety Roundtable will meet every other month hosting on different topics from OSHA regulations and requirements to training on aerial lifts. Construction companies often send a dedicated safety staff person, but all ASM members are welcome.

Acadia Insurance Program for ASM Members
Acadia Insurance offers ASM members a cost-effective insurance program that helps subcontractors group purchasing power, subcontractors can receive highly competitive rates on a variety of insurance policies, including general liability, property, equipment, workers’ comp, umbrella, and more. Just as importantly, for over a decade the Acadia/ASM program has offered a Safety Group Dividend Plan for policyholders in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Since the dividend’s inception, the program has returned over $4 million to qualifying member companies! Contact ASM for more information on membership and eligibility for this insurance program and find out what you’ve been missing!

ASM YP Night at the Celtics 
The ASM Young Professionals Group will hold its 4th annual night at the Celtics on March 14th at the TD Boston Garden, when the Boston Celtics host the Sacramento Kings. The mission of the Young Professionals Group is to develop, engage, and empower young professionals to grow and flourish in the subcontractor industry through unique networking and programming events. The YP Group is open to employees of ASM member companies. Contact ASM for more information about joining the YP Group, or to sign up for the March 14th event.

Susan Coghlin Mailman is the president of the Associated Subcontractors of Mass., Boston and is the president and owner of Coghlin Electrical Contractors, Inc., Worcester, Mass.