A Red Card for Union Handouts on District Construction Projects
April 25, 2016, District of Columbia officials participated in a groundbreaking and demolition ceremony for the construction of the $300 million DC United Soccer Stadium, which the mayor said will create nearly 1,000 temporary construction and permanent jobs, generate millions of dollars in new tax revenue for the District and establish a $1 billion economic activity […]
Construction Fatalities and Protest by Minority Contracting Community Plague New 49ers Stadium Project
Construction of the San Francisco 49ers’ $1.2 billion Levi’s stadium, subject to a controversial government-mandated project labor agreement (PLA), has been plagued by two fatal jobsite accidents and a protest by a coalition of community groups and activists outraged by the lack of construction contracts awarded to minority businesses. PLA advocates claim anti-competitive and costly PLA schemes promote safe jobsites and […]
Construction Worker Killed at St. Paul Stadium Subject to Government-Mandated Project Labor Agreement
Last month, a slab of concrete tragically killed a construction worker operating a backhoe during the demolition phase of construction on the future site of the $63 million St. Paul Saints ballpark, according to the St. Paul Tribune (“Falling concrete kills worker at new St. Paul ballpark site,” 9/11/13): Valek was an employee of Rachel Contracting of St. Michael, […]
Another Accident on a Project Labor Agreement Jobsite: OSHA Investigating Construction Fatality on New 49ers Stadium
A tragic construction accident on a California project subject to a government-mandated project labor agreement (PLA) claimed a life last week. According to The San Francisco Chronicle, on June 11, 2013, an elevator mechanic was killed at the new 49ers stadium construction site in Santa Clara, Calif., (“49ers stadium accident kills worker,” 6/11/13): An elevator mechanic was killed […]
Georgia General Assembly Passes PLA Reform Legislation
The Georgia General Assembly last week enacted project labor agreement (PLA) reform legislation with just over 20 minutes left in the 2013 legislative session. The bill will now go to Gov. Nathan Deal (R) for his signature or veto. Merit shop advocates believe he will sign the legislation into law. In addition to banning government-mandated […]
Georgia Open Competition for Public Contracting Language Still Alive
Despite a setback last week, a bill in Georgia containing language to ban government-mandated project labor agreements (PLAs) and other requirements that force contractors to abide by Big Labor’s demands as a condition of being awarded taxpayer-funded construction projects could be on the move. If enacted, this language would prevent PLA mandates in Georgia – […]
Minnesota Vikings to Require PLA on Upcoming Stadium Project
On Feb. 6, the Minnesota Vikings signed an agreement with the Minnesota Building and Construction Trade Division (BCTD), AFL-CIO to require contractors to sign a project labor agreement (PLA) on the upcoming construction of their new stadium. This will ensure that nearly all of the construction jobs on the project will go to union workers—leaving […]
PLA Mandates, Right-to-Work in Indiana and the Super Bowl
It is an exciting week in Indiana and not all of the action is on the football field. While the Giants and the Patriots prepared for their Super Bowl match-up, Indiana’s state government took steps to guarantee Hoosiers the opportunity to work without having to pay dues to a labor union. On Wednesday, Gov. Mitch […]
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 […]
The PLA Fight Moves to Indiana
The latest salvo in the fight for common sense – as opposed to union favoritism – to drive public construction contracting is taking place in Indiana, where state lawmakers have introduced legislation to end wasteful and discriminatory government-mandated project labor agreements (PLAs) on state and state funded construction once and for all. The bill (H.B. […]