A project labor agreement can place one set of job site rules across multiple contractors, supporting safety, schedule discipline and clear dispute resolution.
A bill moving through the Delaware General Assembly would mandate Project Labor Agreements on state-funded construction projects costing $5 million or more.
Related guide: Project labor agreements in Delaware: current law and the 2026 bill
Senate Bill 241, introduced in late February, would require a PLA with the Delaware Building and Construction Trades Council on qualifying public works projects. A PLA is a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement that establishes labor conditions, dispute resolution procedures, and work rules before construction begins.
Under the bill, the requirement would apply to all contractors and subcontractors on covered projects over $5 million, and would take effect for contracts advertised after September 30, 2026. Exceptions include projects receiving federal funding, highway construction, and situations where only one bid is submitted for a craft under a contract. PLAs under the bill must also include procedures for resolving labor disputes and guarantees against strikes or lockouts.
Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, a co-sponsor of the bill, cited the role unions have played in building the American middle class as a key reason for her support.
SB 241 is currently before the Delaware Senate Labor Committee. If passed and signed into law, the PLA requirement would apply to eligible public works contracts beginning in late 2026.
> Learn more about the facts & myths of Project Labor Agreements with this overview of fundamentals.
