Project Labor Agreements

"Project labor agreements" take center stage in gubernatorial race Labor issues are on the ballot this year as voters select candidates for the statewide offices.
PLA mandate to stay, with exemptions: OMB The Trump administration said Thursday that it supports the use of project labor agreements on federal construction projects when they are “practicable and cost effective.”
Defense Department must resume use of PLAs, judge says A U.S. District Court ruling ordered the agency to return to using project labor agreements on major construction projects to align with a Biden-era executive order.
Unions Get Early Relief in Bid to Enforce Biden Labor Order Labor organizations secured early relief in their suit alleging that the US government is ignoring a Biden-era executive order requiring labor agreements for large-scale construction projects, a federal district court said.
Jersey City Approves 360-Unit Journal Square Project with 30-Year Tax Abatement The Jersey City Municipal Council voted unanimously to move forward with a new mixed-use development project with the inclusion of a 30-year tax abatement and secured contracts for union labor workers.
Trades group sues federal government over PLA exemption Dive Brief Trades group sues federal government over PLA exemption NABTU argues that a Biden-era executive order mandating project labor agreements is still in effect, despite the Trump administration’s moves to curb their use.
Prince William board approves project labor agreement pilot for division's 14th high school The Prince William County School Board approved Wednesday night a resolution directing the superintendent to implement a pilot project labor agreement requirement for any public works contract awarded for construction of the 14th high school.
DOD’s decision on project labor agreements misguided, harmful to taxpayers The Department of Defense’s recent decision to suspend project labor agreements on large-scale construction projects is short-sighted and does not have the taxpayers’ best interest in mind.
New report finds project labor agreements lower costs, boost competition in Illinois After a major Biden-era executive order mandating the vast majority of federal construction projects use project labor agreements suffered an initial loss in federal court this winter, a new report analyzing the use of these agreements in Illinois is refuting typical criticisms from opponents who claim they unfairly favor unionized labor.
Trump order targets PLAs on federal jobs The amount of project labor agreements used on federally funded projects will likely decrease, though they won’t completely disappear, legal experts say.
As Trump cancels grants, Gateway rail tunnel advocates promote its economic benefits The project labor agreements include provisions to support apprenticeship programs, like the "Helmets to Hardhats" initiative that helps veterans transition to construction trades.
Point Pleasant to boost hiring local contractors, tradesmen for public projects The mayor and council are pushing for all major projects in the borough to be done by local contractors, as evident from an ordinance adopted at the last council meeting.
NJCU and Hudson County Building and Construction Trades Council Extend Historic Project Labor Agreement JERSEY CITY, N.J. \| New Jersey City University (NJCU) and the Hudson County Building and Construction Trades Council (HCBT) extended their historic Project Labor Agreement (PLA).
Why Biden’s labor agreements rule is a huge win for New Jersey President Biden took another big swing to support workers by issuing a final rule that requires project labor agreements (PLAs) on federal construction projects costing more than $35 million.
Large Projects Will Go To Brick Companies BRICK – All future public construction projects undertaken by the township and exceeding $5 million will go to Brick residents since the governing body passed a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) during a recent Township Council Meeting.
Prince George’s County Council bill aims to lessen unemployment rate, support workers Members of the Prince George’s County Council proposed a bill that would require project labor agreements to be added to all county-funded construction projects over $35 million in an effort to support trade workers in the county.
The power of Project Labor Agreements: Two more win-win deals for workers and communities This week, the Prince George’s County Board of Education voted to require a Project Labor Agreement for the second phase of an ambitious school construction program.
How Project Labor Agreements and Community Workforce Agreements Are a Good Choice PLAs and CWAs are powerful tools that help ensure federal investments are completed on time and on budget by well-qualified workers; support long-term labor stability
Why Project Labor Agreements Benefit Parsippany The Township of Parsippany is actively taking steps to ensure that construction projects in the community are supporting local workers and providing the best return on investment for taxpayers.
Project Labor Agreements: A Winning Formula for Parsippany Construction Projects Project Labor Agreements (PLA) bring order and specific responsibility to public construction projects. PLAs are binding agreements that call for collective bargaining between labor and contractors. In addition, they define the terms and conditions applicable to all workers – union and nonunion — on public construction projects.
Project Labor Agreements: The Inside Track to Responsible Development and Higher Profits What management policy attracts reliable talent, ensures meeting your project deadline, reduces conflict and boosts your bottom line? Consider a project labor agreement (PLA).
Sweeney-Scutari NJ Bill Extends Project Labor Agreements Trenton – The NJ Senate approved legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Nick Scutari that would extend the use of project labor agreements
Project Labor Agreements - The Best Approach For Industry Building and construction trades workers are one of the hardest hit groups in the nation’s job crisis, they need PLA's.

"Project labor agreements" take center stage in gubernatorial race

Labor issues are on the ballot this year as voters select candidates for the statewide offices.

PLA mandate to stay, with exemptions: OMB

The Trump administration said Thursday that it supports the use of project labor agreements on federal construction projects when they are “practicable and cost effective.”

Defense Department must resume use of PLAs, judge says

A U.S. District Court ruling ordered the agency to return to using project labor agreements on major construction projects to align with a Biden-era executive order.

Unions Get Early Relief in Bid to Enforce Biden Labor Order

Labor organizations secured early relief in their suit alleging that the US government is ignoring a Biden-era executive order requiring labor agreements for large-scale construction projects, a federal district court said.

Jersey City Approves 360-Unit Journal Square Project with 30-Year Tax Abatement

The Jersey City Municipal Council voted unanimously to move forward with a new mixed-use development project with the inclusion of a 30-year tax abatement and secured contracts for union labor workers.

Trades group sues federal government over PLA exemption

Dive Brief Trades group sues federal government over PLA exemption NABTU argues that a Biden-era executive order mandating project labor agreements is still in effect, despite the Trump administration’s moves to curb their use.

Prince William board approves project labor agreement pilot for division's 14th high school

The Prince William County School Board approved Wednesday night a resolution directing the superintendent to implement a pilot project labor agreement requirement for any public works contract awarded for construction of the 14th high school.

DOD’s decision on project labor agreements misguided, harmful to taxpayers

The Department of Defense’s recent decision to suspend project labor agreements on large-scale construction projects is short-sighted and does not have the taxpayers’ best interest in mind.

New report finds project labor agreements lower costs, boost competition in Illinois

After a major Biden-era executive order mandating the vast majority of federal construction projects use project labor agreements suffered an initial loss in federal court this winter, a new report analyzing the use of these agreements in Illinois is refuting typical criticisms from opponents who claim they unfairly favor unionized labor.

Trump order targets PLAs on federal jobs

The amount of project labor agreements used on federally funded projects will likely decrease, though they won’t completely disappear, legal experts say.

As Trump cancels grants, Gateway rail tunnel advocates promote its economic benefits

The project labor agreements include provisions to support apprenticeship programs, like the "Helmets to Hardhats" initiative that helps veterans transition to construction trades.

Point Pleasant to boost hiring local contractors, tradesmen for public projects

The mayor and council are pushing for all major projects in the borough to be done by local contractors, as evident from an ordinance adopted at the last council meeting.

NJCU and Hudson County Building and Construction Trades Council Extend Historic Project Labor Agreement

JERSEY CITY, N.J. | New Jersey City University (NJCU) and the Hudson County Building and Construction Trades Council (HCBT) extended their historic Project Labor Agreement (PLA).

Why Biden’s labor agreements rule is a huge win for New Jersey

President Biden took another big swing to support workers by issuing a final rule that requires project labor agreements (PLAs) on federal construction projects costing more than $35 million.

Large Projects Will Go To Brick Companies

BRICK – All future public construction projects undertaken by the township and exceeding $5 million will go to Brick residents since the governing body passed a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) during a recent Township Council Meeting.

Prince George’s County Council bill aims to lessen unemployment rate, support workers

Members of the Prince George’s County Council proposed a bill that would require project labor agreements to be added to all county-funded construction projects over $35 million in an effort to support trade workers in the county.

The power of Project Labor Agreements: Two more win-win deals for workers and communities

This week, the Prince George’s County Board of Education voted to require a Project Labor Agreement for the second phase of an ambitious school construction program.

How Project Labor Agreements and Community Workforce Agreements Are a Good Choice

PLAs and CWAs are powerful tools that help ensure federal investments are completed on time and on budget by well-qualified workers; support long-term labor stability

Why Project Labor Agreements Benefit Parsippany

The Township of Parsippany is actively taking steps to ensure that construction projects in the community are supporting local workers and providing the best return on investment for taxpayers.

Project Labor Agreements: A Winning Formula for Parsippany Construction Projects

Project Labor Agreements (PLA) bring order and specific responsibility to public construction projects. PLAs are binding agreements that call for collective bargaining between labor and contractors. In addition, they define the terms and conditions applicable to all workers – union and nonunion — on public construction projects.

Project Labor Agreements: The Inside Track to Responsible Development and Higher Profits

What management policy attracts reliable talent, ensures meeting your project deadline, reduces conflict and boosts your bottom line? Consider a project labor agreement (PLA).

Sweeney-Scutari NJ Bill Extends Project Labor Agreements

Trenton – The NJ Senate approved legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Nick Scutari that would extend the use of project labor agreements

Project Labor Agreements - The Best Approach For Industry

Building and construction trades workers are one of the hardest hit groups in the nation’s job crisis, they need PLA's.

End of posted articles

Project Labor Agreements

What is a PLA?

When it comes to large-scale construction, innovative owners and developers prioritize safety, efficiency, and accountability. Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) are powerful tools that help achieve these goals. A PLA is a pre-hire contract between the project owner and contractors that sets clear standards for every party on the job—before work begins.

With a PLA in place, construction projects are more likely to stay on schedule and on budget, creating a positive impact that enhances the economics of local communities.

Project Labor Agreements

What Do They Accomplish?

PLA's are transparent, fair, and mutually agreed upon contracts that benefit everyone, from project owners and contractors to the workforce. It improves and clarifies communications between all parties while establishing guidelines that everyone has agreed to follow.

PLA's are a practical and manageable way of bringing participants aboard before a project begins. They clearly outline and explain responsibilities before ever taking that first step. PLA's are vital for transparency and gaining effective cooperation. This allows all parties to know what they are paying for and what to expect before the project begins.

PLAs provide a stable work environment because they create a predictable and agreed-upon approach to issues that affect every construction site: wage rates, safety protocols, jobsite rules, and dispute resolutions in advance. The result? Fewer delays. Lower risks. Better results.

Project Labor Agreements

Advantages

The advantages of PLA's are varied, tested, and most importantly, have worked successfully in the construction industry since the 1930s.

PLA's endure because of the benefits they offer, including:

PLAs have been used on large scale projects for more than 120 years for a simple reason: They work. They deliver what builders, developers, and stakeholders are looking for on every construction project: collaboration, predictability, and performance.

COST
CONTROL

PLAs reduce or eliminate costly surprises by locking in labor costs and job site conditions upfront.

QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP

Projects benefit from the reliability of using highly trained tradespeople and apprentices whose training and experience meet the highest standards in the industry.

LOCAL ECONOMIC IMPACT

PLAs prioritize local hiring. This fuels the local economy and creates a tangible benefit to the community.

SAFETY
FIRST

often require OSHA-certified training and job site safety planning, which protects lives while reducing liability.

Project Labor Agreements

dEBUNKING Common Myths

Myth 1 -PLAs restrict non-union contractors.
Fact - Any qualified contractor—union or non-union—can bid on PLA-covered projects.

Myth 2 -PLAs increase costs.
Fact - PLAs have been proven to lower overall costs by creating stability on jobsites as well as transparent terms.

Myth 3 -PLAs limit owner control.
Fact - Owners retain full management rights and gain added transparency and accountability.

Project Labor Agreements

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COSTCONTROL

QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP

LOCAL ECONOMIC IMPACT

SAFETYFIRST

COST
CONTROL

SAFETY
FIRST