Lawsuit Says Union-Signatory Contractor Excluded by Project Labor Agreement Mandated on Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission Scudder Falls Bridge
Joseph N. DiStefano, columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, knows a good story about corruption and waste at the expense of hardworking taxpayers when he sees one. In a column published August 12, 2019, DiStefano takes aim at a fishy project labor agreement scheme on a bridge construction project, mandated by an interstate bridge commission, that […]
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 SB 231 repealed a 2015 law (AB 159) passed by the then GOP-controlled legislature and signed by Gov.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). […]
Survey: ABC Members Say Government-Mandated Project Labor Agreements Harm Workforce Development Efforts
ABC members overwhelmingly 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 last month. Almost 97% of survey respondents said provisions in PLAs that would require their firm to hire […]
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 […]
PennDOT Withdraws Appeal of Commonwealth Court’s Decision on PLA Mandate
Following the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania’s Jan. 11 decision to strike down the state Department of Transportation’s project labor agreement mandate for the Markley Street reconstruction project, PennDOT withdrew their appeal of the decision on March 7. In August 2017, PennDOT issued a solicitation that contained a PLA requirement on the second phase of the Markley Street project, which […]
Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Arizona Law Restricting Government-Mandated Project Labor Agreements
In a win for taxpayers and free enterprise, on March 11, 2019, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by the Arizona State Building and Construction Trades Council that aimed to block enforcement of parts of a pro-taxpayer Arizona law restricting government-mandated project labor agreements on certain public works construction projects. This is the latest legal victory for supporters of Fair and Open Competition Act laws across the country.
Survey: ABC Members Strongly Oppose Government-Mandated Project Labor Agreements
ABC members overwhelmingly 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 […]