Boston’s longtime mayor, Marty Walsh was nominated by President Biden to be U.S. Labor Secretary and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate. His departure has led to a special mayor’s election that included five major candidates. They were narrowed down to two in a nonpartisan election last week: Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George.
Lou Antonellis, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 103 Business Manager, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss why the IBEW is endorsing George in the race.
He also discussed renovation work the IBEW is doing at Polar Park, home of the minor league Worchester Red Sox.
He also discussed the $2.5 billion Green Line Extension Project that would expand the MBTA train service to surrounding communities — and what it means for union jobs.
George a pro-union candidate for workers’ rights
The IBEW was extremely proud of Walsh, a pro-union Boston native who supported the building trades, Antonellis said. It was such a proud moment to have Walsh, a member of Laborers Local 223, tapped by the President to be the Secretary of Labor, he said.
IBEW Local 103 and most labor parties are endorsing George, who has been a great friend to labor. They will do everything they can to get her elected, Antonellis said. Hopefully she will pick up Walsh’s torch and continue to move the labor movement forward, he stated.
Union jobs keep members busy in Boston
Antonellis also discussed work IBEW members are doing at Polar Park. IBEW Local 103 and Local 96 teamed up on the project to fend off a non-union shop in Worcester, Mass. There are 50 to 100 IBEW members working on the project.
IBEW members are also excited for the Green Line Extension to expand the MBTA Green Line service in Boston into the communities of Somerville, Cambridge and Medford. The $2.5 billion underground rail project will employ 200 union tradesmen and tradeswomen.
Antonellis also discussed the bipartisan federal infrastructure bill which would also bring plenty of good union jobs to Boston if passed. It is a great opportunity for workers in this country, Antonellis stated.