The Massachusetts AFL/CIO Held it's 2008 State of the Union Conference February 7th and 8th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Natick, MA.

On Thursday, Governor Patrick met with the Executive Board prior to the opening of the conference, and gained the official endorsement of the principles set forth in the Governor's destination resort casino economic development proposal.

During this meeting Governor Patrick was also informed that the Mass AFL/CIO would stongly oppose any attempts to raise the health care costs for state employees, and do whatever neccessary in campaigning to stop any such legislation from being signed.

The Mass AFL/CIO believes the destination casinos are one way to find new sources for public revenues. The building of these casinos and their operations has the potential to create thousands of jobs also.

The Executive Board expects that the casinos include job quality standards, employer financed training opportunities for workers, Project Labor Agreements for the constuction of the facilities, responsible procurement policies, favorable conditions for workplace fairness in terms of unionization, and a seat at the table for the Massachusetts AFL/CIO for any advisory board of this new endeavor.

During this meeting Governor Patrick was also informed that the Mass AFL/CIO would stongly oppose any attempts to raise the health care costs for state employees, and do whatever neccessary in campaigning to stop any such legislation from being signed.