Baltimore’s first major project labor agreement will guide labor standards and workforce participation on several critical public infrastructure projects.
Baltimore is taking a significant step in how it delivers major public infrastructure projects, moving forward with its first large-scale project labor agreement (PLA) covering multiple Department of Public Works construction efforts. The agreement represents a shift toward a more structured, workforce-focused approach for complex public builds that carry high cost, safety, and scheduling stakes.
Related guide: Project labor agreements in Maryland: the $20 million order explained
According to the Baltimore Banner, the work is estimated to cost $128 million-$140 million.
As reported by the Baltimore Sun, the PLA applies to several major DPW projects, including upgrades to critical pumping stations and sewer infrastructure. These are not cosmetic improvements. They are essential systems tied directly to public health, environmental protection, and long-term resiliency. City officials have emphasized the need to complete the work efficiently, safely, and without disruption.
Under the agreement, contractors working on the covered projects will operate under a standardized set of labor terms. PLAs typically establish uniform wages, benefits, work rules, and dispute-resolution procedures across all contractors on a job. Supporters argue that this structure reduces uncertainty, minimizes the risk of delays or work stoppages, and ensures projects stay on schedule.
Baltimore’s agreement also places a strong emphasis on workforce development. According to details released by the city, the PLA includes commitments to local hiring and apprenticeship utilization, connecting city residents to paid training and long-term careers in the building trades. These provisions are designed to ensure that public investment also produces local economic returns.
This approach is consistent with how PLAs function in cities and states across the country. Research has repeatedly shown that PLAs do not increase construction costs or reduce competition, while often improving safety outcomes and workforce stability. Multiple academic and government studies cited on WhatIsAPLA.com show that projects built under PLAs attract comparable numbers of bidders and frequently come in on time and on budget.
For contractors, PLAs provide predictability. Everyone works under the same rules, wage standards are clear, and labor disputes are resolved through established procedures rather than disrupting active construction. For owners and taxpayers, that predictability can translate into fewer delays and fewer costly surprises.
The Baltimore deal is expected to go before the city’s Board of Estimates for final approval. If adopted, it would mark the first time Baltimore has formally used a PLA across multiple large public works projects, aligning the city with a tool that has been used successfully on infrastructure projects nationwide for decades.
As Baltimore looks to modernize aging infrastructure, the agreement reflects a growing recognition that how projects are built matters just as much as what gets built.
To learn more about what project labor agreements are — and what they are not — visit WhatIsAPLA.com.
