Project Labor Agreements are used in public works contracts to ensure a skilled local workforce, labor stability and on-time project delivery.
Evesham Township has moved quickly to capitalize on a new state law that stripped away New Jersey’s $5 million minimum threshold for a Project Labor Agreement, voting this month to require PLAs on all public works contracts valued at $200,000 or more.
Related guide: Project labor agreements in New Jersey: the law and the 2026 change
The Evesham Township Council passed the resolution at its March 11 meeting, according to a report in the Pine Barrens Tribune. Under the previous law, Project Labor Agreements were limited to projects exceeding $5 million — a ceiling that put most municipal-level public works contracts out of reach. A January amendment removed that threshold entirely, giving local governments the authority to set their own minimums.
Evesham’s new policy sets that bar at $200,000, meaning a significantly broader range of public projects — road work, municipal buildings, infrastructure upgrades — will now require a PLA before a bid is accepted.
Why it matters: Evesham is one of the first New Jersey municipalities to act on the January law change, and its framework offers a replicable model for other towns weighing similar moves. With the state threshold gone, the decision to require PLAs now rests with local governing bodies — and Evesham’s swift action signals that other municipalities may not be far behind. For the construction trades, that represents a meaningful expansion of PLA coverage across a state with a deep public works pipeline.
Mayor Jackie Veasy said the resolution was made possible by the Legislature’s January action, calling it “a great opportunity.” Public Information Director Zane Clark said the policy “marks a significant step in the township’s mission to prioritize a skilled local workforce, ensure high-quality construction, and promote long-term economic stability.”
“By supporting a skilled local workforce, we are building more than just infrastructure,” the mayor added. “We are building the future of our community with high-quality workmanship that will stand the test of time.”
Clark specifically outlined four benefits behind using PLAs. From the Pine Barrens Tribune:
- Labor stability, that minimizes any potential delays caused by labor disputes or shortages;
- A skilled workforce that guarantees projects are handled by qualified, highly-trained professionals;
- Safety and timeliness, ensuring that public infrastructure is completed on schedule and meets the highest safety standards; and
- Fiscal responsibility, which maximizes the value of taxpayer dollars through increased project efficiency and superior workmanship.
About PLAs: Project Labor Agreements are pre-hire collective bargaining agreements that set the terms and conditions of employment for all contractors and subcontractors working on a project before a single bid is submitted. Supporters say PLAs level the playing field by guaranteeing union-scale wages, benefits and safety standards across the job site — protecting workers regardless of which contractor wins the contract and ensuring taxpayer-funded projects are built by a trained, accountable workforce.
To learn more, see how Project Labor Agreements really work.
