Understanding Project Labor Agreements

The comprehensive, unbiased educational resource for public officials, developers, and communities exploring Project Labor Agreements for construction projects.

  • On time & on budget

Project Labor Agreements

Building smarter from the start

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Years of proven use
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Fewer work stoppages
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Open to all bidders
  • Local workforce priority

Latest Insights

News, Research & Analysis

  • October 5, 2026

    Project labor agreements in West Virginia: What the 2015 law bars

    Skilled union carpenters are the backbone of projects covered by project labor agreements. Barred on public bids, open to private owners: project labor [...]

  • October 4, 2026

    Project labor agreements in Virginia: From ban to local choice

    Project labor agreements set one standard for every worker on the job. The law, the pilots and the workforce behind project labor agreements [...]

  • September 30, 2026

    Project Labor Agreements in Maryland: The $20 Million Order Explained

    Union carpenters deliver quality craftsmanship on job sites governed by project labor agreements. State Policy Since 2023. A Findings Standard. A Template Local Governments Can Borrow. Project labor agreements in Maryland moved from [...]

    4.7 min read

  • September 29, 2026

    Project labor agreements for governments: A checklist for public officials

    PLAs give public officials, contractors and the trades one set of rules to review before a complex municipal project goes out to bid. Project labor agreements for governments: what public officials need to [...]

    11.9 min read

  • September 27, 2026

    Project Labor Agreements in Delaware: Current Law and the 2026 Bill

    Project labor agreements put trained union carpenters to work on the projects communities count on. Permitted Today. Debated in Dover. Built on a Training Pipeline That Already Exists. Project labor agreements in Delaware [...]

    4.5 min read

  • September 26, 2026

    New Jersey PLA ruling: Federal judge backs state law

    PLAs allow public officials and construction partners to review plans for a major civic infrastructure project before ground is broken. A federal judge issued a New Jersey PLA ruling on Sept. 23 that [...]

    1.8 min read

  • September 24, 2026

    Project Labor Agreements in Pennsylvania: What the Law Permits

    Skilled union carpenters are the backbone of projects covered by project labor agreements. No Statute. Strict Bidding Rules. A Clear Standard for Getting It Right. Project labor agreements in Pennsylvania operate without a [...]

    4.7 min read

  • September 23, 2026

    Are PLAs good for competition? How open bidding works

    Project Labor Agreements ensure a construction project governed by common labor standards. EAS Carpenters show how PLAs can support fair competition Are PLAs good for competition? They can be when bidding remains open [...]

    6.2 min read

The Fundamentals

New to project labor agreements?

A project labor agreement (PLA) is a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement that sets the wages, benefits, work rules and dispute procedures for one construction project before bidding opens, and union and non-union contractors alike can bid and win. Our complete guide answers what is a project labor agreement, how one works from bid to closeout, where PLAs are required by state, and what the peer-reviewed research shows about cost, schedule and competition.

Key Insight for Public Officials

PLAs are particularly valuable for public infrastructure projects where schedule certainty, budget control, and accountability to taxpayers are paramount. They provide a framework that aligns everyone’s interests toward successful project delivery.

Construction crew on a public project covered by a project labor agreement (PLA)

Why They Matter

The Benefits of Project Labor Agreements

PLAs deliver measurable advantages for project owners, workers and communities. Here is the short version; the research behind each is in the guide.

Cost Predictability

PLAs lock in labor costs and job site conditions upfront, eliminating costly surprises and enabling more accurate project budgeting from day one.

Quality Craftsmanship

Projects benefit from highly trained tradespeople and apprentices whose skills meet industry-leading standards, ensuring superior build quality.

Local Economic Impact

PLAs typically prioritize local hiring, keeping construction dollars in the community and creating tangible benefits for area residents. Some agreements add targeted hiring and equal opportunity provisions for communities near the project.

Enhanced Safety

PLAs often require OSHA-certified training and comprehensive safety planning, protecting workers while reducing project liability.

Schedule Certainty

With disputes resolved before they cause delays and no-strike clauses in place, projects stay on timeline more consistently.

Clear Accountability

Everyone knows the rules from day one. Transparent terms and established dispute resolution processes keep all parties accountable.

Workforce Development

PLAs support apprenticeship programs, building the next generation of skilled tradespeople and creating career pathways. Many agreements require contractors to draw part of the workforce from registered programs, so apprentices earn on-the-job hours toward journey-level credentials.

Reduced Disputes

Pre-established grievance procedures mean conflicts get resolved quickly without costly litigation or work stoppages.

The Process

How Project Labor Agreements Work

Understanding the lifecycle of a PLA—from initial consideration to project completion.

Project Assessment

The project owner evaluates whether a PLA is appropriate for the project’s size, complexity, and goals. Typically, PLAs are most beneficial for large-scale projects involving multiple contractors and trades.

1

Stakeholder Engagement

The project owner meets with labor organizations, potential contractors, and community stakeholders to discuss project needs and begin drafting agreement terms.

2

Agreement Negotiation

All parties negotiate specific terms covering wages, benefits, work rules, safety requirements, dispute resolution procedures, and local hiring provisions.

3

Competitive Bidding

The project goes out to bid with PLA requirements included. Any qualified contractor—union or non-union—can submit a proposal to perform the work. Every bidder sees the same labor terms before submitting a price, so each can account for labor costs accurately. That supports a level playing field.

4

Project Execution

Work proceeds under the agreed-upon terms. All contractors and workers operate under a single, unified set of rules, creating consistency across the job site.

5

Setting the Record Straight

Common Myths About PLAs

Misinformation about Project Labor Agreements is common. Here are the facts.

MYTH

“PLAs exclude non-union contractors”

FACT

Any qualified contractor—union or non-union—can bid on and win PLA-covered projects. The agreement applies equally to all who participate. Contractors also gain access to local union hiring halls, which maintain pools of credentialed tradespeople ready to mobilize.

MYTH

“PLAs drive up project costs”

FACT

Peer-reviewed research examining hundreds of public projects has found that PLAs do not raise costs compared with similar projects built without them. PLAs also help control costs by reducing delays, disputes and rework.

MYTH

“PLAs limit owner control”

FACT

Project owners retain full management rights under PLAs. In fact, they gain additional transparency, accountability, and predictability.

Have Questions About PLAs?

We’re here to help. Whether you’re a public official, developer, contractor, or community member, we can provide the information you need.