Study: Project Labor Agreement Mandates Inflate Cost of New Jersey School Construction by 16.25%
A study released in August by the Beacon Hill Institute found that New Jersey schools built under controversial government-mandated project labor agreements cost 16.25% more than schools that were bid and constructed through fair and open competition, free from PLA requirements. The study, which looked at 107 schools built in New Jersey since 2002, found that those built under […]
Lawsuit Against Westmoreland County Project Labor Agreement Tests Boundaries of SCOTUS Janus Decision
The Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Pennsylvania’s September 23 lawsuit argues that Westmoreland County’s project labor agreement with the Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades Council runs afoul of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling in Janus vs. AFSCME.
ABC Applauds Passage of Texas Law Ensuring Fair and Open Competition
Following Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) signature of HB 985, a total of 25 states have enacted laws restricting controversial government-mandated project labor agreements on public works projects procured by the state and/or receiving state funding. The measure will benefit taxpayers, the construction industry and free enterprise.
Nevada’s Anti-Free Enterprise Lawmakers Rescind Fair and Open Competition Law
On May 28, 2019, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) signed a bill (SB 231) that will hurt Nevada’s taxpayers and construction industry by reinstating controversial government-mandated project labor agreements on certain Nevada public works projects. SB 231 repealed a 2015 law (AB 159) passed by the then GOP-controlled legislature and signed by Gov. Sandoval (R). […]
Washington Times Publishes TheTruthAboutPLAs Op-Ed Celebrating Kentucky’s Fair and Open Competition Law
The Washington Times published this op-ed by TheTruthAboutPLAs.com touting the benefits of fair and open competition following the passage of a Kentucky law (HB 135) restricting controversial government-mandated project labor agreements on state and local public works construction projects (“Let’s welcome all Americans to rebuild America’s infrastructure,” 4/1/19): On March 21, Gov. Matt Bevin, R-Ky., […]
New Kentucky Law a Win-Win for Construction Industry, State Economy, Says ABC
Law will ensure fair and open competition on public works construction contracts WASHINGTON, March 25—Associated Builders and Contractors lauded Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) today for signing into law the Fair and Open Competition Act (HB 135), which ensures all of Kentucky’s skilled construction workforce and qualified businesses can compete on a level playing field […]
Survey: ABC Members Strongly Oppose Government-Mandated Project Labor Agreements
ABC members overwhelming reported that government-mandated project labor agreements harm their businesses, hiring and workforce development practices and ability to complete work safely, on time and on budget, according to the results of a December 2018 membership survey published today. Ninety-eight percent of survey respondents said they were less likely to bid on a taxpayer-funded construction contract […]
DOL Website Shows Some Construction Industry Pension Plans Remain in Financial Trouble
Following this week’s post at TheTruthAboutPLAs.com about pensions and government-mandated project labor agreements, The Project Labor Agreement and Troubled Union Multiemployer Pension Plan Nexus, ABC’s Newsline published this article Jan. 30, 2019, Some Construction Industry Pension Plans Remain in Financial Trouble, about multi-employer pension plans. Merit shop contractors are typically wary of competing for taxpayer-funded construction […]
The Project Labor Agreement and Troubled Union Multiemployer Pension Plan Nexus
Construction unions attempt to entice merit shop craft professionals and new construction industry workers and apprentices into joining a union with promises of generous retirement benefits via multiemployer pension plans. Construction unions lobby elected officials in charge of procuring taxpayer-funded construction projects with arguments on why union contractors and union workers deserve special treatment through various […]
BLS: Just 12.8 Percent of U.S. Construction Industry Is Unionized
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics annual Union Members Summary report published January 18, 2019, union membership in the construction industry decreased in 2018. Just 12.8 percent of wage and salary workers were members of unions in the U.S. private construction industry. That’s a decrease from 14 percent in 2017. According to BLS, 1.048 million out of 8.169 million (12.8 percent) […]