Mass. Building Trades Unions applaud President Biden and Congress for infrastructure investment

Boston, MA The 75,000 members of the Massachusetts Building Trades Unions applaud President Biden and the Congress for passing and signing the largest infrastructure investment in American history into law.

This historic investment will get Massachusetts and America moving again while improving the quality of life and creating opportunities for American workers and their families.
"We applaud President Biden and Congress for including registered apprenticeship requirements on these projects," said Frank Callahan, president of the Massachusetts Building Trades Council. "Unions across the region currently spend over $60 Million each year in apprenticeship training — free of charge to apprentices. We are ready to meet the growing training and workforce needs these infrastructure investments will generate."

Highlights for Massachusetts in this bill include:

· At least $5.3 Billion to repair or rebuild 475 deficient bridges and miles of roads badly in need of improvement. This funding represents a 67% increase in current road and bridge spending.

· At least $1.1 Billion to replace lead water pipes, improve water infrastructure and address combined sewer overflows across the Commonwealth.

· Allocations of at least $2.5 Billion for improvements to public transit systems. Massachusetts residents who rely on public transportation will see faster, better and more reliable service.

· Residents and businesses who lack access to high-speed internet will gain access due to the $100 Million investment in broadband coverage.

These direct infrastructure investments and the projects they will fund also provide additional opportunities for highly-skilled jobs in the unionized construction industry, paying good union wages and providing quality health care and retirement benefits.

The signing of the long-awaited infrastructure bill coincides with the 7th Annual National Apprenticeship Week.

President Biden has often stated that the middle class built America, and unions built the middle class. The Massachusetts Building Trades Unions and our 75,000 members are ready to get to work and accomplish both.