SPRING BRINGS NEW PROJECTS TO OUR MEMBERS BY TONY HERNANDEZ
As reported on the previous newsletter, due to COVID-19 restrictions, some of the aforementioned projects had been stopped in December and are now getting back to work in mid-March to early April. Additionally, we are now working at the Tobin Bridge, L&L Painting, the Commonwealth Pier, Select Painting Industrial Division, Route 195 Swansea, with Atsalis Brothers, Lee MA, Atsalis Brothers, two bridges in Bollyston, the North Borough, Newton Route 90, and the Montague Bridge over the Connecticut River. All work is projected to start this year. Willington MBTA Garage, John W. Egan and Allied Painting are coming to Route 290 in Worcester, where they have five bridges.
Atlas Painting is resuming work in two weeks. They will have two crews: one working on the Worcester Viaduct, and the second on Route 395 finishing two bridges. Prime Coatings has been busy through the year, as well as Modern Protective Coatings.
Industrial painting is growing throughout the country, as there is an increased demand for a skilled labor force to man these jobs on power plants, shipyards, bridges and tanks, and more. This is the time to organize and steer men and women to sign up for Industrial Apprentice Programs! We are always doing our best to recruit a diverse workforce.
I want to take this time to thank BMST Jeff Sullivan and my Brothers and Sisters for the hard work they did at the Chelsea Collaborative in February of 2020. Their office became a food bank for Chelsea and the surrounding communities, serving over 5,000 meals a day – the walls were destroyed. Our commercial paint apprentices made us proud, working there for four weeks throughout their training. As of February 2021, the Chelsea Collaborative is being used as a COVID-19 Vaccine Station, run by the East Boston Health Center Medical Staff. We take pride by working in our community and look forward to what’s to come in 2021.