Building Trades Council recognizes late senator for work backing labor

Posted Mar 11, 2010

 

QUINCY —The Massachusetts Building Trades Council is presenting awards this week to Braintree Mayor Joseph Sullivan and Victoria Kennedy, on behalf of her late husband.

The council, which represents 74 local unions, is holding its annual convention through Friday at the Radisson Hotel in Plymouth.

Today, Victoria Kennedy is accepting the “Hats Off Award” for the late Sen. Edward Kennedy’s contributions to the labor movement in the state and nationally.

“He did a lot for working men and women,” said Christina Chatalian, spokeswoman for the Construction Institute. “He contributed so much to their welfare and fair wages.”

In 91 years, the award has only been given out three times before now.

Gov. Deval Patrick is expected to address the convention. He declined an invitation to an AFL-CIO conference, also in Plymouth, last month after police unions threatened to form a picket line outside.

Chatalian said she is aware of no such plans at this week’s event.

On Friday, Sullivan will be honored as the “public official of the year” for his work on a project labor agreement in Braintree this year. Such agreements can effectively restrict bidding to union contractors in exchange for a no-strike clause.