UMass project must use unions (at a cost of $100 million)

Boston Globe ^ | June 16, 2010 | Noah Bierman

[reaganaut1]

A state authority voted this week to mandate the use of union workers on a $750 million overhaul of the University of Massachusetts Boston campus, a contentious decision already making waves in the race for governor.

The remaking of the campus is a rare mega-project in what remains a sluggish economy for builders. Groups supporting nonunion contractors say the move is anticompetitive, politically motivated, and costly. Supporters of the union-only rule, including Governor Deval Patrick, say it will guarantee a higher quality workforce and eliminate the risk of union strikes, thus diminishing the potential for slowing down the complex overhaul and disrupting life on a working campus.

For Patrick’s Republican opponent, Charles D. Baker, the vote fits into a broader critique of the governor’s leadership. Baker has argued that so-called Project Labor Agreements — which require companies that bid on construction work to hire union workers, in exchange for agreeing not to strike — are among many Beacon Hill practices that favor politically powerful interests at the expense of taxpayers. He has pledged to end them in state contracts if elected.

In a statement yesterday, he asserted that the UMass agreement could add $100 million to the cost of the project, a figure that roughly corresponds to research cited by critics of such agreements but disputed by unions.

“Governor Patrick continues to be reckless with spending taxpayer dollars and continues to prove that he is unwilling to push for the reforms necessary to save millions of dollars,’’ Baker said.

Patrick has had conflicts with some public sector unions over his decisions to overhaul transportation agencies, police construction details, and public pensions. But he has enjoyed a strong relationship with private sector trade unions, who could help him through a challenging reelection campaign.

[reaganaut1]

As usual, the Rats are gouging me, the taxpayer, to reward their base. At least the Rats do things for their base. The Stupid Party often acts like it is embarrassed by its supporters.

I live in MA, and it looks like Patrick may get re-elected.

[Vaquero]

commie rat b@$t@rd$

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

“a higher quality workforce”, what a joke on the tax payers!

[SJSAMPLE]

“eliminate the risk of union strikes”

WTF?
How can you have a union strike if you don’t use union labor?
The opposite appears to be true.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Face it, you just are not going to see any open-shop contractors getting these public sector jobs in any of the blue states. When you spend a quarter-century as the ATM machine for the Democrat Party you expect payback.

[outpostinmass2]

We still have plenty of time for Patrick to pull a politically stupid stunt. He can’t help himself. I hear Marion Walsh is still looking for a job.

[JimRed]

...diminishing the potential for slowing down the complex overhaul and disrupting life on a working campus.

Not to mention the potential for the whole thing burning down if they don't use union labor!

[Gay State Conservative]

Of course it’s politically motivated.Coupe Deval’s goal in November is to be reelected with 35% of the vote.He’s already got his strawman in place (a lifelong RAT who recently decided he was an “independent”) and he’s sure not gonna blow it by pi$$ing off the unions...which,BTW,are wholly owned subsidiaries of Commie RAT Headquarters.

[Red Badger]

UMess...............

[Oldpuppymax]

So using UNIONS ONLY will eliminate the risk of STRIKES??!! HUH?

[mdmathis6]

We’ve all seen what the use of union workers has done for the quality of Boston’s “big dig” projects...UMASS is going to be screwed!

[Drango]

The golden rule....those who make the rules, get the gold.

[GreenLanternCorps]

“a higher quality workforce”, what a joke on the tax payers!

But it worked so well on the Big Dig...

/sarc