The Truth About Project Labor Agreements

Pennsylvania Representative John Bear (R-Lancaster) and Republican House Policy Committee Chairman Stan Saylor (R-York), along with the Keystone chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, held a press conference on the steps of the Pennsylvania capital today, September 29 at 10am to announce the introduction of legislation prohibiting project labor agreements (PLAs) on public construction in Pennsylvania.  Senator Bear clearly understands that government-mandated PLAs punish taxpayers by inflating public construction costs, discourage competition from the best businesses with high-skilled employees and rig the procurement process in the unions’ favor when competing for state and local construction contracts.  The lawmakers are also expected to point to the Pennsylvania jail PLAs as the reason this legislation needs to be acted upon immediately.

We will cover the event in greater detail later today.  In the meantime, the media advisory is below.

News Advisory
Office of State Representative John C. Bear
                                 Sept. 25, 2009                                  

CONTACT: TODD ABELE (717) 783-3957
 
Bear: Ensuring Fair Contracting Practices are not an Endangered Species

WHAT: Rep. John C. Bear (R-Lancaster) is introducing legislation that will guarantee quality and accountability by prohibiting project labor agreements (PLAs) on public construction. Through eliminating this special interest handout, this bill will ensure that taxpayers get the best work at the best price.

WHO: Bear; Republican Policy Committee Chairman Rep. Stan Saylor (R-York); Jack Zimmer, President and CEO, Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. Keystone Chapter; and Jeff Laurence, president of Forefront Construction.  Additional House members and Sen. Lloyd Smucker (R-13) are also expected to attend.

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 29

TIME: 10 a.m.

WHERE: Capitol Steps, 3rd Street, Harrisburg

VISUALS: The press conference will be on top of a flatbed truck with about 15 construction vehicles circling the Capitol.