Over $11.6 Million was awarded since 1999. President Steven A. Tolman of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO said," ...In times like these, with a slow recovery that has not yet picked up, for struggling working families, our scholarship program is that much more important. I am proud of our organization and of the amazing generosity of the affiliates who help make it such a success.”

Employment, wages, training, on-time project delivery, taxpayer savings are among the many benefits.

“The decision reached by the Governing Board of Presidents reflects the firm belief of all of our unions that a Barack Obama presidency offers the continued, steady hand of a leader who navigated our nation through some very uncertain times when not just our nation, but the entire globe, was on the verge of economic collapse,” said Sean McGarvey, President of the Building and Construction Trades Department.

Baystate Medical Center worked with local building trades unions to build its new 600,000 square foot leading edge hospital providing jobs to 450 union trades men and women from the community to build the Hospital. 

" Unwilling to abide by the terms of a PLA, the ABC wants to make sure no such agreement is required for Phase II.  Instead the ABC wants to do in Virginia what it’s done in countless communities around the country: destroy unions, cut corners and use cheap labor so it can funnel taxpayer dollars into its own members’ pockets." 

In a still-shaky economy prompting some to call for cutbacks and austerity, union workers maintain their edge with a very different approach: by investing in excellence.

The project created 600 union construction jobs. Boston Housing Administrator, Bill McGonagle said,  “ Working with the union shop was a pleasure. This was built under a  Project Labor Agreement on-time and on-budget and we got the best bang for the buck! "

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) says, "We are particularly grateful for the support received by friends in the labor community.  Walsh Mechanical Contractor’s efforts for MDA this year alone resulted in $42,000, including a $15,500 gift from Pipefitters Local 537.  Since the start of their partnerships, Walsh Mechanical Contractors and Pipefitters Local 537 have raised a combined total of half a million dollars for MDA Boston."

MBTC presented Boston Mayor Thomas Menino with the 2012 Municipal Official of the Year Award and Speaker of the House, Robert DeLeo with the 2012 Public Official of the Year Award.

Hundreds attended convention in Plymouth with many state and national dignitaries thanking and congratulating the union building trades in Massachusetts for high quality work, on-budget and on-time in Massachusetts.