Another Hidden PLA Problem: Apprentice Fringe Benefit Contributions
TheTruthAboutPLAs.com and ABC routinely field questions from contractors about the risks and dangers of signing project labor agreements (PLAs). This summary of a recent case by labor attorney David P. Wolds of the Wolds Law Group of San Diego, CA is yet another example of how a contractor trying their best to comply with the rigged procurement […]
Clash of the Mass. Construction Industry Titans: PLA Debate on Boston Talk Radio
The Tom and Todd program on Boston’s WRKO AM 680 Talk Radio held a debate this morning about government-mandated project labor agreements (PLAs) between Ron Cogliano of the Merit Construction Alliance and Frank Callahan of the Massachusetts Building Construction Trades Council. The debate was inspired by an anti-PLA Boston Globe column by Scott Lehigh that we covered here last […]
Review of District of Columbia Project Labor Agreements
As members of the D.C. Council review the misleadingly named District Resident Employment and Trade Stimulus Act of 2010 (Bill 18-650), which would require project labor agreements (PLAs) on D.C. construction projects that cost more than $200,000 and receive government assistance, it is important to review the limited, yet poor, history Washington, D.C., has had with PLAs. Research in […]
Why Vermont Employees Oppose Project Labor Agreements
A Barre Montpelier Times Argus editorial misses the mark in its analysis of the “benefits” of union membership provided to construction workers through controversial project labor agreement (PLA) proposed on the Lake Champlain Bridge (“Bridge the Divide,” 4/2/10). Vermont companies probably don’t want Vermont workers to be bitten by the union bug, but by participating in […]
Washington Times Editorial: Obama and D.C. Council Pay Off Their Union Bosses with PLAs
A Washington Times editorial calls government-mandated project labor agreements (PLAs) resulting from President Obama’s pro-PLA Executive Order 13502 and proposed D.C. Council legislation “a solution that neither the District nor the nation can afford” (“EDITORIAL: More silver pieces for unions,” 4/2). Evidence rapidly accumulated that President Obama will pay any price, bear any burden, meet […]
Baltimore Sun Columnist Opposes Baltimore PLA Legislation
Andy Greene, a Baltimore Sun columnist, opposes a measure before the Baltimore City Council that would lead to government-mandated project labor agreements (PLAs) on all city building projects over $5 million (“City union bill: Right goals, wrong methods,” 4/2/10). …Finding ways to leverage city construction projects to put more Baltimore residents back to work is a […]
Project Labor Agreements: Disguised Union Entitlement?
Diane Williamson, a Worcester Telegram columnist, takes Massachussetts Gov. Deval L. Patrick to the woodshed for encouraging a policy of “disguised” “union entitlement” and supporting government-mandated project labor agreements (PLA) on a variety of public works projects (“Union-only state policy is unfair,” 4/1/10). It is unclear how President Obama escaped Williamson’s wrath, as he signed Executive Order 13502 Feb. 6, 2009 […]
A Project Labor Agreement Reduced Competition and Increased Costs on the Wilson Bridge
The D.C. Council is considering legislation, the District Resident Employment and Trade Stimulus Act of 2010 (Bill 18-650), that would mandate project labor agreements (PLAs) on all government-assisted projects costing more than $200,000 in Washington, D.C. Yesterday’s blog post discussed a report about the failed record of government-mandated PLAs in Washington, D.C., “The Problem with PLAs […]