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 […]
PLAs Help Increase Construction Union Membership
The Daily Caller published an opinion piece today by Brett McMahon, vice president of Miller & Long, a concrete construction subcontractor, based in Bethesda, Md., and a member of the Associated Builders and Contractors (“State of the unions: Not good,” 2/26/10) that discusses how Big Labor is turning to their political chums to implement policies that […]
Utica School Board Gives Sweetheart Deal To Big Labor
A quick note from Utica, NY, where the Utica Board of Education approved a requirement that PLAs be implemented on $187.6 million of upcoming capital construction in the district. Utica’s Observe-Dispatch noted the following as a footnote to an unrelated story: The board approved a project labor agreement setting construction workers’ wages for the $187.6 […]
Domestic Dispute in Big Labor’s House
Despite the special interest handouts to Big Labor by politicians supported by construction trades unions at the local, state and federal level, trouble’s brewing in the fragile house of Big Labor. A TruthAboutPLAs.com reader sent me this sensational letter from Terry Nelson, executive secretary treasurer of the Carpenters’ Disctrict Council of Greater St. Louis and Vicinity. Nelson is outraged that […]
Big Labor Aboard! Honolulu Mayor Signs Rail PLA
Hawaiians can say a hui hou to fair and open competition for contracts to build a multi-billion dollar transportation project in Oahu. On November 17, 2009, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann required a union-favoring project labor agreement (PLA) for a controversial $5.5 billion rail transit project. (Click here to read the Mayor’s “State of Rail Transit” statement from 10/29 […]
Update: Labor Dispute Saves More Proposition S Construction from PLAs
VoiceofSanDiego.org is reporting that union disputes will allow more Proposition S funded construction to move forward without a project labor agreement. This is great news for the citizens funding the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD). Apparently, “Jurisdictional problems” between the carpenters union and other construction unions have delayed the signing of the PLA between […]
PLA Basics: Unions Offer Project Labor Agreements as a Solution to Strikes Created by Union Members
Construction unions market union-only PLAs as a tool to construction owners to guarantee labor peace on construction projects. Unions know that strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns and other labor unrest can shut down a jobsite and delay the opening of a project, potentially costing construction owners lost revenue. Union negotiators leverage the threat of union-led strikes […]
Will Philadelphia Convention Center Expansion Project Labor Agreement Prevent Labor Unrest?
Last night collective bargaining agreements between Philadelphia area Carpenters Unions and Laborers Unions and contractors expired, leaving construction project owners and contractors with concerns about union strikes and labor disputes on jobsites covered by expired collective bargaining agreements. According to this short 5/4 Philadelphia Inquirer piece, the Carpenters and Laborers’ District Council have been negotiating […]