In the private
sector, owners, contractors and local building trades often negotiate Project
Labor Agreements (PLA’s) to ensure that major construction projects are
completed on time and under budget.
PLA’s have
become so successful in accomplishing these goals in the private sector that a
few years ago they were tried in the public sector. The U.S. Supreme Court, in
a 9-0 decision, after a challenge in the courts to a public agency by the
Associated Building Contractors (ABC), affirmed that if cost savings can be
realized by the use of these agreements, it is in the publics best interest and
therefore legal to enter into such
agreements.
PLA’s define and
insure wages, conditions and craft jurisdictions for the several labor
interests and insure quality and continuity throughout the various trades for
the contractors. PLA’s are signed to
guarantee labor stability for both the contractor and the project owners.
The major
opponent’s of these agreements continues to be non-union contractors, primarily
represented by the ABC. The ABC contractors are so vehemently opposed to
employees forming unions that they have formed their own union to fight their
employees.
The ABC has
continued to lose in the courts over the issue of PLA’s and has vowed to take
their fight to the legislature at every level to outlaw the use of these
agreements.
The ABC feels
that the “living wages” that are part of PLA agreements, are excessive and not
necessary.
q
1996-
Washington State’s then Governor Mike Lowry, signed an Executive Order which
read in part “project labor agreements
are of great potential economic benefit for appropriate and time sensitive
major construction projects which will extend for a substantial period or time,
involve a substantial number of contractors, trade and craft workers and have a
substantial dollar value.”
q
1997-
President Clinton issued an Executive Order that authorized the federal
executive departments and agencies to determine on a project by project basis,
whether to implement PLA’s for federally funded construction projects. President
Clinton’s rational for issuing a policy encouraging project labor agreements
was; “the continuing high demand for public capitol investment,
competing budget pressures and limited government resources”.
PLA’s have
proven successful in complex multibillion-dollar projects like the Boston
Harbor cleanup, the Eastside Reservoir in California, and the San Francisco
Airport renovation. Closer to home, they are have been used at Safeco Field,
the Port of Seattle, the Central Waterfront Project, and the new Seahawks
Stadium.
Taxpayers objectively watching out for the quality of return for every tax dollar spent recognize an unequivocal success when it arrives and PLA’s are a blueprint to that kind of success.
Local 32 believes in the success that PLA’s have brought to our members. Local 32 will continue to support the use of these agreements as long as the process for negotiating these agreements remains open and true to the purpose of providing good contractual language (wages, hours, and conditions) for our members whom work on those projects.
This Position Paper was produced by the Political Action Committee
of UA Local 32.
Send all Questions and/or Comments to Wayne Stedman,
UA32PAC Chair by clicking on this link.