Announcements, BAC 1 News

Applications for the 2008 Apprentice Training Program will be taken in September 2007.  Applicants will be notified of when the interview and testing process will begin.  See the Education and Training page for a complete description of the Apprentice Training Program.

With the announcement of the BAC Local 1 MA/VT website, we would like to extend an invitation to our retirees to stay in touch with the Union.  Let us know how you are spending your time in retirement.  If possible, include digital photos with your news.

Since Vermont joined BAC Local 1 MA in April 2005, we have been in Vermont trying to organize contractors and craftworkers. We have met with several non-union contractors and craftworkers to promote the need for fair wages and the benefits we have to offer: health care, retirement, and training. Although we have not been successful in signing any new contractors, we have made some progress regarding their needs and concerns.

There is a lot of construction going on in Vermont, and many new projects continue to come out to bid. We encourage union contractors to bid on these projects. We will also continue our organizing efforts in Vermont. If you are a union member, a contractor, or a craftworker, contact us. We would like to hear from you.

The future for Foxboro looks brighter than the past, with two possible projects in the planning stages, the Patriot Place Development and the Cabalas Sportsmen’s store project. There have been some preliminary discussions with the owner of the University Avenue Westwood Station project. This has the potential to be a huge project.

All chapters would greatly benefit from school money being released in the new fiscal year which begins July 1, 2006.

The Springfield/Pittsfield area has been fortunate to have projects underway, although there has not been much work in public school construction. Private colleges have generated a lot of work. Deerfield Academy, Amherst College, and Williams College have had several projects. In addition, UMASS Amherst and Chicopee Comprehensive High School are keeping many of our members employed. UMASS Amherst has several other projects planned to start soon. Other upcoming projects include the Federal Courthouse and the Superior Courthouse in Springfield. Employment looks good for the rest of the year. We encourage all members to attend Chapter meetings.

The Natick Mall is starting to take shape and is expected to be underway in late summer or early fall. This will be a significant project for the Lowell chapter. The city of Lowell is currently undergoing a revitalization, with many projects out to bid. The first phase of the plan to revitalize Jackson, Appleton, and Middlesex streets (JAM) is set to go with two additional phases planned for the future. We have been working with the Lowell City Council to implement a Responsible Contractor Ordinance, which requires all contractors to provide health insurance, a retirement plan, and apprentice training. There are also two schools in Lowell coming out to bid this summer. UMASS Lowell has a $266M facility improvement plan ready to go forward. Other projects planned include the Judicial Center and the Mass Mills project.

The Worcester Chapter is on the move with many projects starting soon. Among them are the “Gateway Park,” a joint venture of Worcester Polytech and the city of Worcester, and the new Hilton Hotel in the downtown area. A new Federal Courthouse is also being constructed. Charles River Laboratories is constructing a facility in Shrewsbury. This project is using lightweight 8 x 8 x 24 inch masonry units, which may be part of the future of our industry. Other projects in the pipeline are the Hadley apartment building complex, City Square, Union Station parking garage, and the Westborough DYS Center.