The Truth About Project Labor Agreements

In a huge win for Iowa taxpayers, newly-inaugurated Governor Terry Branstad just issued Executive Order 69, which repeals Gov. Chet Culver’s Executive Order 22 (pdf)and prohibits wasteful and discriminatory project labor agreements (PLAs) on projects that receive state funds.  By issuing this order, Gov. Branstad fulfilled his campaign promise to end the use of PLAs on state funded projects to ensure that taxpayers get the best construction for the best price.  Always.

Here is an excerpt from Gov. Branstad’s release:

Gov. Branstad: Signs two executive orders

1/14/2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, January 14, 2011 Contact: Governor’s Office (515) 281-5211

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry E. Branstad today signed executive orders 69 and 70.

Executive Order 69 rescinded Gov. Culver’s executive order mandating the use of Project Labor Agreements and prohibits Project Labor Agreements to be used for projects involving state funds.

Executive Order 70 rescinded Gov. Vilsack’s executive order that established an automatic process that gave voting rights and right to hold public office to felons and those who committed aggravated misdemeanors. This was a major priority of Secretary of State Matt Schultz.

Visit here for our earlier post on former Gov. Culver’s efforts to provide handouts to the construction labor union bosses.

UPDATE: The Iowa Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors has released a statement regarding Gov. Branstad’s order:

***MEDIA RELEASE***

ABC of Iowa Applauds Governor Branstad for Taking Action to Protect the Rights of Construction Workers

DES MOINES – ABC of Iowa released the following statement from Greg Spenner, ABC of Iowa President & CEO, regarding Governor Branstad’s signing of Executive Order #69:

“We applaud Governor Branstad for swiftly taking action to protect the rights of all construction workers in the state by issuing an executive order which prohibits the use of Project Labor Agreements on public projects with state funding. We believe that PLAs discriminate against workers who choose not to be a member of a union. The opportunity to work on state-funded projects should be open to all taxpayers. Again, we thank Governor Branstad for taking this action on the day of his inauguration.”

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ABC of Iowa is a statewide association representing approximately 450 merit shop construction and construction related firms. Visit us at www.abciowa.org

UPDATE #2: Media outlets in the region are covering Gov. Branstad’s executive order banning PLAs on state funded projects.

• Sioux City Journal: Branstad Rescinds Labor, Voting Orders
• Chicago Tribune: Branstad Signs Labor Agreement Voting Rights Order
• Des Moines Register: Gov. Branstad Scraps Executive Orders from Culver, Vilsack Eras
• Omaha World-Herald: Branstad Vows Smaller Government
• Radio Iowa: Branstad Quickly Rescinds Orders on Project Work Agreements, Felon Voting
• KGAN (CBS2-Chicago): Branstad Signs Labor Agreement Voting Rights Order
• Eastern Iowa Government: Branstad Issues Executive Orders on Day 1 as Governor