In recent weeks, the Building Trades Unions, based in Boston, and their union contractor partners have led a drive within the construction industry to collect new, unopened personal protective equipment (PPE), including N95 respirators, to donate to front-line health workers battling the coronavirus outbreak.

Most recently, they expanded their appeal with a new public service announced to be aired on both radio and the web. Thousands of respirators and other PPE were collected and distributed to front-line healthcare workers through the drive, but thousands more are needed. 

"Mayor Walsh’s administration has taken this head-on, and we are proud to support the administration’s efforts. In partnership with the administration, the Building Trades Unions are collecting these critical supplies in order to aid our city's front-line health workforce,” said Brian Doherty, general agent of the Building Trades Unions. "We must ensure all first responders and front-line health workers, including those providing EMS/EMT services, senior care, home health care, care for the homeless, along with acute care in our hospitals have what they need to stay safe and to continue their critical work. Please visit bostonppedonation.org to coordinate the time and location of your donation. Every new, unopened mask N95 or above can make a difference.”        

The public service announcement reads: “Do you work in the construction industry? Do you have access to new or unopened respirators, masks, or other personal protective equipment – or 'PPE?' If so, please join us in collecting and donating that PPE to the health care workers on the front lines of the current COVID-19 crisis. In coordination with the administration of Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Boston Public Health Commission, Building Trades Unions and their contractor partners across the region are collecting unopened respirators and other vital protective gear to aid the front-line health care workforce. Together, thanks to help from so many, we've already donated thousands of respirators and other PPE to support healthcare workers on the front-lines of this crisis. For more information on how to donate your new, unopened PPE, visit bostonPPEdonation.org. That's bostonppedonation.org.”

To listen to or download the full PSA, visit the MetroBTC website.