Associated Subcontractors of Mass. executive director's message: Celebrating our history at our Biennial Dinner Gala and Elections - by Jim Welch

When the Massachusetts subcontracting community thinks of the Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts, one of the things they might consider is our long history. In 1950, a small group of subcontractors was alarmed by efforts to weaken a state law calling for competitive bidding of sub-trade work. They formed the Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts (ASM) to preserve the law and protect subcontractor rights.

With the help of legendary construction attorney Joe Corwin (whose law firm still serves as counsel to ASM today), the founding members formed a legislative committee and set to work. Over the next several years, they not only saved the law but persuaded Beacon Hill lawmakers to expand it to further strengthen the protections for subcontractors. 

As a direct result of their efforts, we have the law as it is today, with separate “filed sub-bidding” by 18 sub-trades, direct payment rights for subcontractors, and a short, fair form of subcontract in use on all public building work. Also thanks to the founders’ work, we now have the only statewide association dedicated exclusively to the business issues affecting subcontractors.

Today, ASM is the voice of subcontractors on Beacon Hill – union and open shop – in all specialty trades. While remaining true to our mission to protect the rights of subcontractors, ASM today focuses on providing essential resources and connections to help our members build their businesses. We also work in cooperation with general contractors and architects to promote fair business practices that benefit the entire industry.

Every two years, our Biennial Dinner Gala & Elections is the opportunity to gather and celebrate the rich history of ASM, as well as the future of our industry, our membership, and our people. 

Given our history, we felt it was fitting to celebrate at a Boston landmark, the Omni Parker House on School St., just feet from our office and just down the hill from the State House. Designed by architect William Washburn and founded by Harvey D. Parker in 1855, the Omni Parker House is the longest continuously operating hotel in the United States. Notable literary names such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Nathaniel Hawthorne gathered at the Parker House for the Saturday Club. Charles Dickens lived there for five months. John F. Kennedy declared his candidacy for Congress from the Parker House in 1945 and later proposed there to Jacqueline Bouvier. 

Prominent figures in history have visited the Parker House, and momentous events have taken place there. We are excited to host our event there and appreciate the history around us while looking ahead and celebrating the future of our industry and our association as we elect our next board of directors. 

Please join us on October 26 for this exciting evening. For more information about the event, please visit our website at www.associatedsubs.com. 

Jim Welch is the CEO/executive director of the Associated Subcontractors of Mass., Boston.