Nonunion construction workers are opposing Governor Deval Patrick's casino legislation, arguing that it discriminates against them by encouraging developers to use union workers.
"It's not a level playing field," said Ronald N. Cogliano, president of the Merit Construction Alliance, which advocates for nonunion contractors.
"The appearance is that the governor is trying to give a little political payback to his biggest supporters. That's troubling."
Cogliano sent a letter yesterday to Patrick and legislative leaders, arguing that the legislation should not discourage casino developers from using nonunion laborers.
Patrick's casino legislation has provisions that would encourage casino developers to use union workers, and it also gives organized labor a seat on an advisory committee that would have influence over casino regulations.
"The construction and operations of these resort casinos should create good jobs with good wages and benefits," said the governor's spokesman, Kyle Sullivan. "Therefore a commitment with working with organized labor will be an important criteria in the licensing process under the governor's plan."
The union-friendly legislation has drawn the support of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, a powerful and organized constituency that voted unanimously last week to back the casino proposal.
Union organizers plan to make the legislation one of their top priorities this year and will lobby legislators vigorously and take a lawmaker's stance on casinos into account when deciding whom to endorse and campaign for over the course of this election year.
"These provisions ensure workers are going to be earning a decent wage," said Frank Callahan, president of the Massachusetts Building Trades Council.
"When you say it's a union contractor, they provide health insurance, pensions, quality training, safe workplaces."
Casino opponents have also been working to become more organized, including the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, the League of Women Voters, and the Massachusetts Council of Churches.
Casino Free Mass, a coalition of opponents, plans to announce a major fund-raising effort today that will enable them to launch a statewide campaign against the governor's plan. They will be sending e-mails and letters to opponents in Massachusetts as well as bordering states.
They are also hiring two public relations executives to help: Doug Bailey, who in 2006 helped defeat a statewide referendum to allow alcoholic beverages to be sold in grocery and convenience stores, will serve as the group's campaign coordinator; and his twin brother, Dennis Bailey, who runs a public relations firm in Portland, Maine, and has helped defeat casino proposals in Maine.
Matt Viser can be reached at maviser@globe.com.
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