ABC Massachusetts has built and continues to maintain strong relationships with leaders on Beacon Hill. In the upcoming 2009-2010 legislative session, we will continue to oppose policy initiatives that seek to stifle free and open competition when it comes to construction porjects. Likewise, we will support legislation and policies that will ensure a level playing field for both merit shop and union contractors.  


Beacon Hill Update 

ABC is active in fighting for your right to work on Beacon Hill. When it comes to legislation that positively or negatively impacts the merit shop construction industry, you can count on ABC to be your voice on Beacon Hill.

Below you will find official copies of the testimony we have given before legislative committees over the past two years.

June 17, 2009 - Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight  

June 23, 2009 - Joint Committee on Housing 

July 9, 2009 - Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

We Support

Competitive Bidding

Construction projects best serve the public good when the bidding process allows for BOTH union and nonunion companies to submit bids. This ensures that all workers are treated equally; no one company having more of a right to work than another. Competitve bidding also brings down the cost of construction because more companies are allowed to participate in the process. 

Professional Standards

ABC believes that all construction companies should deliver the highest levels of quality to their clients. We support the development of the construction workforce through training at all levels, from apprenticeship to professional development.  Through a variety of local and national forums, ABC promotes best practices in construction and business.  ABC established the Gould Construction Institute to provide ABC members and contractors throughout the industry with quality apprenticeship, craft and management training.  The Gould Institute is a fully licensed and accredited private school. 

We Oppose

The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA)

Also known as the "Card Check Bill," this bill is currently before the United States Congress. Its intent is to completely abolish the secret ballot voting process by which all employees can independently vote to affiliate with a labor union or not. Click here to read an editorial on EFCA.

Project Labor Agreements (PLA's)

Project labor agreements requires that the the bids for construction projects be awarded to union only contractors and subcontractors who agree to:

• recognize unions as the representatives of their employees on that job
• exclusively use the union hiring hall to obtain workers
• obtain apprentices from union apprenticeship programs only  
• pay into underfunded and mismanaged union benefit plans 
• obey costly, restrictive and inefficient union work rules

ABC Position Papers

ABC Responsible Employer Ordinance (REO) Position Paper
Click here to download ABC's REO position paper.

Project Labor Agreements
Please click here to read our paper.


Notable Regulatory Changes and Policy Updates

Independent Contractor Law 
ABC has worked with the Attorney General's office, along with our industry allies, to help foster greater clarity on the law to accompany active enforcement. The IC law is an issue that ABC takes seriously. For the Attorney General's Advisory Opinion, please click here

USCIS Revises I-9 Form
Please click here for more information.