Catherwood LibraryILR School

The University of Massachusetts Building Authority voted 9 to 2 in favor of requiring union workers on a $750 million project at the University of Massachusetts in Boston. The decision is being criticized by the Republican candidate for governor in Massachusetts, who says that this is another example of Governor Patrick favoring the rich, and that the requirement for union workers could add another $100 million in costs to the project. Governor Patrick has responded by saying that the benefits to the contract will out-way the downsides. The contracts require construction companies to use union workers, in exchange workers pledge not to strike. Governor Patrick also cited stricter health and safety guidelines as one of the benefits of the contracts. Board members said that scheduling was one of the most important aspects of the project, and the contract will give security to the schedule. Some non-union contractors say they will file an ethics complaint against the Board, because of the presence of union representatives, and that the measures will increase costs for students. The project includes 12 smaller projects, and will take about seven years.