Project Labor Agreements and Big Labor Fail at Local Job Creation
Big Labor bosses and government-mandated project labor agreement (PLA) advocates frequently claim that PLAs are the only way to guarantee local hire on construction projects funded by tax dollars. Of course, this is another myth promoted by special interests to convince lawmakers and taxpayers that there is a public benefit to anti-competitive and costly PLA […]
PLA Projects Delayed By Chicago Construction Union Strike: Another PLA Myth Busted
Government officials often argue that the increased costs and discriminatory and anti-competitive nature of union-favoring government-mandated project labor agreements (PLAs) are “bitter pills worth swallowing” for Big Labor’s promise not to strike, picket and engage in other forms of labor unrest on jobsites that could impact the on-time, on-budget delivery of a construction project. That flawed logic makes […]
Moorestown, NJ Rejects Wasteful and Discriminatory PLA for New Town Hall
There is a new chapter in the public record of poor performance of government-mandated project labor agreements (PLAs). Facing bid prices that were at least 35 percent higher than the proposed budget for the construction of a new town hall and library complex, the Moorestown Township Council decided to withdraw its requirement that all contractors […]
The Most Infamous PLA Job: Lessons from Boston’s Big Dig
Boston newspaper editorials point out that Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick’s recent use of PLA mandates in exchange for Big Labor’s support during November’s gubernatorial election makes little fiscal sense for Mass. taxpayers and stinks of political favoritism – especially considering the $22 billion Big Dig’s well-documented record of missed deadlines, cost-overruns, construction defects (including a motorist fatility due to a collapsed tunnel ceiling panel), and reports of union workers visting methadone clinics, sleeping and drinking heavily on the job.
Funded by federal and Massachusetts taxpayers, the Big Dig is the most expensive and infamous government-mandated PLA job of all time.
ABC Western Pennsylvania Chapter News Release: Potential PLA Would Cost McKeesport Taxpayers More
In a May 27 press release, the Western Pennsylvania chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) announced that they held a meeting on May 26 with the McKeesport Area School District Building and Grounds Committee to discuss the negative impact of wasteful and discriminatory project labor agreements (PLAs). The release also outlines some of the […]
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 […]
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 […]
Waterbury PLA Schools Continue Record of Poor Performance
The Waterbury Republican American reported on 2/24/10 that two CT schools recently constructed under project labor agreements (PLAs) have suffered cost overruns, construction defects and missed construction deadlines. CONSTRUCTION CONTRAST: Item: The $20.5 million Rotella Interdistrict Magnet School was finished late and came in 10 percent over budget. Today, it’s leaky, the climate-control system is faulty, […]
San Diego Unified PLA Debacle: First Project Bid With A PLA Fails On All Counts
Remember the San Diego Unified School District’s (SDUSD) corrupt move to require project labor agreements (PLAs) on all construction projects funded by the voter-approved $2.1 billion proposition S? Big Labor said the PLAs would help control costs and guarantee a local workforce. As predicted, the PLA has already failed to deliver on Big Labor’s promises: WINNING […]
An Ailing Process Indeed
Wasteful and discriminatory project labor agreements (PLAs) continue to garner public attention in Indiana, as Wishard Health Services prepares to go forward with a PLA on approximately $750 million in hospital renovations at their Marion County facility. The latest PLA-related story titled, “An Ailing Process,” comes courtesy of the January 24 Indianapolis Star. Here are […]