Boston, MA Leaders from the Massachusetts Building Trades Unions thanked governor Healey for signing the economic development bill, which includes language supporting the usage of project labor agreements (PLAs) on public construction projects in the Commonwealth.

PLAs are utilized regularly in the Massachusetts’ private sector to deliver quality projects on-time and on-budget. These agreements establish employment terms and conditions on a construction project. PLAs ensure projects are built by well-trained workers – which means more projects being built right, built on time, and on budget. The bill specifically addresses a public awarding authority’s ability to enter into a PLA and establishes the factors that an awarding authority must consider before requiring such an agreement.

The success of PLAs was evident at last month’s topping off ceremony for the Holyoke Veterans Home. In 2021, the legislature included a provision that the Holyoke Veterans Home be built under a PLA. Today the project is significantly ahead of schedule and on-budget while meeting or exceeding workforce goals for women, people of color and veterans, as well as MBE/WBE contractors.

“The Holyoke Veterans Home serves as a prime example of the benefits of utilizing a Project Labor Agreement – it’s ahead of schedule and on-budget while exceeding workforce goals for women, minorities, and military veterans, as well as minority and women owned contractors. Our communities deserve the opportunity to utilize Project Labor Agreements on public projects, which ensure that taxpayer money is spent on quality building projects. Today’s ceremonial signing of the Economic Development Bill will allow for the same great results with PLAs on state and municipal projects all across the Commonwealth,” said Frank Callahan, president of Massachusetts Building Trades Unions.

Massachusetts Building Trades Unions (MBTU) is a 105-year-old organization dedicated to helping working people improve their quality of life. Building trades unions represent the interests of over 75,000 working men and women across the state. Through the efforts of their locals, union members receive family-sustaining wages, comprehensive healthcare coverage, and the security of pension and annuity benefits. For the unions represented by MBTU, their goal has always been, and continues to be, improving the standard of living for construction workers and their families throughout the state.