Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association Hosts 'Industry Appreciation Night'

BOSTON, MA – Plumbing industry giants Harry Brett and Hugh Kelleher received Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association’s “Industry Appreciation Night,” which also featured ex-Boston Celtics and NBC Sports host Brian Scalabrine and state Sen. Nick Collins.

More than 450 contractors, union plumbers and guests turned out at the Omni Seaport Hotel Thursday, Oct. 12 to raise money for college scholarships for the sons and daughters of union plumbers and employees of Greater Boston PCA contractors. The event also honored Brett, International Representative of New England for the United Association, and Kelleher, the former Executive Director of the PHCC of Greater Boston which would later become the Greater Boston PCA. The bi-annual event celebrates achievements in the plumbing industry and this year’s theme was “The Power of Partnership.”

Legends in the Industry

“Harry and Hugh are legends in the plumbing industry and the union labor movement in Boston,” said Greater Boston PCA Executive Director Andrew DeAngelo. “It was fitting to honor them on a night where we celebrated the importance of ‘partnership’ as they worked together for decades to build unity, trust and success with labor and management. Congratulations also to all the scholarship recipients, many of whom represent the next generation of partnerships that will shape our industry in the years to come.

State Sen. Nick Collins, a longtime union ally whose district includes the Seaport, spoke about the importance of plumbing industry leaders having a voice in the broader conversation about the transition to green energy, as well as development in Boston.

Scalabrine regaled the crowd with tales of being a member of the 2008 NBA Championship team with the Celtics “Big Three” —Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce—as well as sharing his personal journey as a hard-working role player who had an 11-year pro career. He is now an on-air analyst for Celtics broadcasts on NBC Sports and hosts a basketball show on SiriusXM’s NBA channel.

“Brian Scalabrine embodies the working class ethos of the Massachusetts labor movement,” said Greater Boston PCA President Paul Dionne. “He understands the value of hard work, dedication and teamwork. In that spirit, it was fitting to hear his stories of perseverance during his journey from a small town in Washington state to the NBA.”

Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 12 Business Manager Tim Fandel also spoke about “The Power of Partnership” between the union and contractors, saying: “We are far stronger when we advocate for our industry issues together. Local 12 will always be there as a strong industry advocate and partner.”