:: rawblogXport ::

:: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 ::

Convention head downplays concerns By Frank Phillips, Boston Globe
'Higher prices result from less competition and restricting construction to union-only firms cuts out the 80 percent of construction firms that choose not to sign with unions,' said Greg Beeman, the president of Associated Builders and Contractors of Massachusetts.

'I'm sure the DNC appreciates the $100,000 donation from Carpenters' Union and the other trade unions,' Beeman said, referring to a recent contribution from the regional carpenters' union. 'Unfortunately for them, it's not going to come close to offsetting the costs resulting from union-only construction at the convention site,' he said.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino accused Beeman and the ABC of playing politics with the cost issues.

He said the convention will benefit by hiring union workers because they are 'experts and properly licensed in their fields.'

'We are a union city,' Menino said. 'I would rather pay to have to well-trained experts do the jobs and get the benefits. . . . They are part of the community. They do a lot of community benefits.'

posted 6:22 AM :: reference link :: 0 comments ::

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