Salem, MA Workers, community members, and elected officials gathered this week to celebrate the historic signing of a new Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for the construction of a $300 million maritime terminal. Upon completion, the terminal will serve as the marshaling yard for the construction of a new offshore wind development off the coast.
“Today, we’re celebrating the dawn of a thriving wind industry in Salem. This project will benefit thousands of residents and create good-paying careers for a whole generation of construction workers on the North Shore. The clean energy industry will be a cornerstone of the construction industry for decades to come, and project labor agreements like the one signed here in Salem will ensure a diverse, skilled, and local workforce,” said U.S. senator Edward Markey (D-MA).
Trades Unions, IUPAT District Council 35 business representative Rodrigo Badaro,
and IUPAT DC 35 director of servicing and business representative Joe Nardelli.
“Massachusetts has become one of the prime locations for the offshore wind industry as it develops in the United States. This PLA will ensure local workers are well-positioned to work on clean energy jobs now and in the future. It guarantees safe working conditions, fair wages, good health insurance, and a secure retirement for workers.” said Frank Callahan, president of the Massachusetts Building Trades Unions.
Advocates also pointed to the fact that the PLA will ensure access to hundreds of family-sustaining jobs and opportunities for local residents, people of color, and women.
30% of the workforce will be from Essex and Middlesex Counties, 20% will be apprentices, ensuring a well-trained workforce for the future and 20% will be BIPOC and 8% women, ensuring diversity on the project.
“My career started on a PLA project 20 years ago in Boston and today, my family is living the American dream. Through projects like this, we can help countless local workers realize that dream to the fullest,” said Rodrigo Badaro, president of the North Shore Building Trades Union and business representative of IUPAT DC 35. “Thanks to the partnership between the North Shore building trades, mayor Pangallo, Swiss Crowley and many more, workers and their families will benefit from this historic work.”
