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ASM Through the Years
 The Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts was formed in 1950 by a small group of subcontractors who were alarmed by efforts to weaken Massachusetts’ 1939 law calling for competitive bidding of subtrade work, and were determined to preserve the law and protect subcontractor rights. They formed a legislative committee, set to work, and over the next several years, not only saved the law but persuaded the Beacon Hill legislators to pass amendments to expand the law and strengthen the protections for subcontractors. As a result of their efforts, we now have separate “filed sub bidding” by 17 subtrades, as well as direct payment rights for subcontractors and a short, fair form of subcontract in use on all public building work today.
Today, ASM is still in the forefront on the issue that got us started 50 years ago. Repeatedly over the years, there have been efforts to weaken or repeal the state’s filed sub bid law; and repeatedly, ASM has defeated those efforts through strong grass roots opposition. Our most recent victory was in 2004, with passage of major Construction Reform Legislation that brings improvements to all aspects of public construction while preserving the best of our present system-including competitive bidding for subcontractors. Once again, ASM and the subcontractors of Massachusetts preserved a law that not only protects subcontractor rights, but serves the public interest and assures high quality public buildings at the lowest possible price.
While defending the public bidding laws through much of its history, ASM has also been active on other legislative and legal issues throughout the years. One of our most significant accomplishments was passage of major reforms to the Massachusetts Mechanics Lien Law in 1996, achieved in cooperation with other industry groups after several years of negotiations.
Today ASM continues to work on legislative and legal issues important to subcontractors working in both the public and private sector, and is widely recognized as THE voice of subcontractors–in all trades, both union and open shop. While remaining true to its mission, to protect the rights of subcontractors, ASM today works in cooperation with other members of the building team, both generals and architects, to promote fair business practices that benefit the entire industry.
Go to: Legislation page.
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