The MCA was created to represent the "silent majority" of construction companies and workers who made the choice not to become associated with a union, 84 percent according to latest figures by the U.S. Department of Labor.

One primary mission of the MCA is to promote the societal benefits of open competition. Studies show that when construction projects are open to all contractors - both union and merit shop - costs are lower than when competition is limited to union companies only. Simple economics is the reason: greater competition brings lower prices. The result is a quality product at a savings for both businesses and taxpayers.

Real-life examples illustrate the principle. When the City of Fall River decided on an ambitious five school building project, it incorporated a union-only provision into the project. MCA sued while the city opened bids from only union contractors. After the bids repeatedly came in over budget and as a result of intense public pressure, the Mayor threw out the provision. The schools were re-bid, the number of bidders nearly doubled and the lowest bids dropped by as much as 20 percent - saving Fall River taxpayers millions of dollars.

In addition, merit shop contractors employ four out of every five construction workers in Massachusetts. Discriminating against open-shop contractors penalizes the vast majority of the state's construction workforce.