Brothers and Sisters,
Last Tuesday’s opening game at the new Polar Park in Worcester was a home run! I’m proud of our WooSox for their big win over the Syracuse Mets, and I couldn’t be more pleased with our Local 4 members’ fine work on the beautiful new stadium. That’s why I recently submitted a Letter to the Editor of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette thanking our hometown union workers who made it possible.
You can read my full letter below. Congratulations to all who worked on the new Polar Park!
Letter: Love Polar Park? Thank the hometown union workers who made it possible
May 17, 2021
William D. McLaughlin
Tuesday’s Opening Day at Polar Park was something to celebrate! But we aren’t just celebrating the impressive WooSox’ 8-5 win over the Syracuse Mets — we’re also celebrating pride in Worcester and pride in the labor of the hometown union workers who built Polar Park in the midst of a global pandemic.
Building union means investing in strong communities like ours here in Worcester. Good, union jobs are what will power our city and region to the other side of this difficult pandemic. Union members performed the site demolition, prepared the concrete walls and foundations, and erected the park’s steel exterior despite the challenges brought on by COVID-19.
When cities build union, they invest in more than a new building. Worcester built this ballpark by employing Operating Engineers with strong wages and healthcare they could count on. When our leaders prioritize top wages and safe working conditions at sites like Polar Park, our communities thrive. We’re opening doors for people who want to pursue a better life for themselves and for their children and families.
As our region begins to recover from a devastating pandemic, it’s time to invest in our communities with good, union jobs — and it’s time to play some more WooSox baseball!
William McLaughlin
Business Manager
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 4
Medway