Featured
The paradox of prevailing wage
On paper, the Davis-Bacon Act reads like a fantastic tool. And in many respects, it is. It has improved income disparities between white and black workers, facilitated equal pay for equal work, and helped stop wage theft. However, it’s important to understand the history of the Davis-Bacon Act and how it has transitioned from a tool created to bar black workers to one that, however unintentionally, creates severe road-blocks for Boston’s black-owned contractors from working on projects, often right in their backyards.
Obstacles to Boston Residents Jobs Policy compliance - no baselines and the public bid law
The Boston Residents Jobs Policy (BRJP) was established in 1983 to set employment standards for construction projects in Boston. Several articles have been published about the challenges of meeting policy goals. (See: City wrestles with policing its jobs policy, Dorchester Reporter 3/1/12, Construction hiring goals not met in Boston, Boston Globe, 5/18/15, Builders in Boston missing diversity targets for jobs, Boston Globe, 8/28/15, Council Probes Boston jobs policy, Bay State Banner, 10/31/18.) People are missing the two most significant factors contributing to non-compliance: the lack of a baseline for the total number of residents, people of color and women employed in construction in Boston, and Massachusetts public bid law.
2020
Business activists push city to offer more contracts to minority firms
First woman, and person of color, to head labor council
State seen lagging on minority contracting
Black Business Group Demands City And State Leaders Commit To Boosting Minority Contracts
The Color Of Public Money: Philadelphia And Massport Show Paths To Expanding Minority Contracts
The Color Of Public Money: Black Businesses' Share Of Public Contracts Has Declined Over 20 Years
Boston Councilor Campbell Starts Push For New Minority Contract Goals
More To Come In WGBH Investigation Into State's Lack Of Minority Contracts
Business activists push city to offer more contracts to minority firms
2019
Boston's Operation Exit Provides Pipeline From Courtrooms To New Careers
Outkast Electrical joins ranks of IBEW Local 103
City’s Office of Economic Development competing for funds to boost participation
On city contracts, Boston only talks the talk on diversity
Few city contracts going to minorities
Boston awarded $664m in contracts. Less than 1% went to women - and minority-owned businesses
Shelley Webster helps minority firms grow capacity
2018
New committee to improve equity in building industry
Council probes Boston jobs policy
Shawmut launches scholarship to support women, minority Wentworth students
Boston Wants to Build Inclusion into Its Construction Boom
Boston to ask developers about their inclusion of minority and women workers, investors
Mass Construction & Management aims to take on larger projects
Boston Is In A Building Boom — And Wants More Diverse Construction Workers
The Construction Talent Pipeline Gets Expanded At Harvard Business School
State representative files legislation for minority contractors
White-dominated construction unions want more diversity
Social media campaign attracts women, minorities to construction industry
Judge rules Portuguese companies are not minority-owned
Mentor program aims for more diversity in construction industry
The Construction Talent Pipeline Gets Expanded At Harvard Business School
Boston Vocational High School Program Opens Multiple Doors at Once
Linda Dorcena Forry to resign Senate seat, join Suffolk executive team
2017
Councilors vote to strengthen city’s minority contracting program
Legislating equity in opportunity that will make our money work
A BRAND NEW BOSTON, EVEN WHITER THAN THE OLD
Minorities get slim share of contracts
Then & Now: Eastern exec brings fresh perspective to growing minority businesses
From trades to community college, ‘the sky’s the limit’
Cruz cuts ribbon on renovated affordable development
Dream Development wins city’s Housing Innovation Competition
Mattapan housing renovation a ‘fully inclusive project’
Business leaders step up efforts to bring minority-owned firms into the fold
EASTERN BANK GROWTH FUND TARGETS MINORITY-OWNED FIRMS
“Operation Exit” Graduates Celebrate Advancement into Building Trades
THESE BOSTON APPRENTICESHIPS ARE PUSHING THE ECONOMY TOWARD EQUITY
Bolling: building boom must include minoroities, women
Black firms tackle major hotel project
Umass Boston construction pact a model for workforce diversity
These women build boston and are recruiting more to join them
Boston can be an unwelcoming place to do business. Here's how to change that
An Act relative to equity in public contracting in honor of bruce c. bolling
An Act relative to equity in public contracting in honor of bruce c. bolling
The Seaport's New Omni Hotel Is A Win For Diversity and Inclusion