Scott Van Voorhis’ column (“The Union Challenge,” March 2) misses the mark regarding the real costs that threaten to derail the Quincy Center project and the redevelopment of Boston. He erroneously points the finger at union labor costs.

Union labor costs are the most stable and predictable costs in construction today. The fact is, increases hover around 2 percent. Unions also invest $33 million per year in training to provide a ready supply of the best trained, most productive workers in the industry.

Now that construction is rebounding, Van Voorhis argues that Mayors Koch and Walsh should “restrain wage increases” and encourage the use of more non-union firms. The real cost drivers are rising prices for construction materials, real estate, contractor profit margins, financing and fees for architects, engineers and lawyers.

From its inception, the building trade unions played a critical role in the Quincy project and remain committed to getting it back on track. Cutting wages and idling a skilled, productive workforce will not help rebuild downtown Quincy and Boston, much less an economy that benefits everyone. We all need to work together to get development going, but we need to make sure all involved reap the benefits. 

Francis X. Callahan Jr. is president of Mass Building Trades.