ABC members flood administration with comments opposing PLA order
Source: Associated Builders and Contractors, Washington, D.C.
As of late September, 402 ABC member companies, plus 504 of their employees, submitted comments to the White House opposing implementation of President Obama’s Executive Order 13502, encouraging agencies to consider union-only project labor agreements (PLAs) on federal construction contracts exceeding $25 million. In comments filed with the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, ABC members argued that their companies would be discouraged from bidding on projects because PLAs discriminate against their employees. Under PLAs, employees said that they would a) be forced to pay union dues; b) not benefit from employer contributions into union pension plans unless they were to join a union; and, c) may be denied employment under union hall hiring requirements.
“Project Labor Agreements on Federal Construction Projects: A Costly Solution in Search of a Problem,” a Beacon Hill Institute/Suffolk University study released Sept. 23, confirms that PLAs significantly increase federal project construction costs. Its review of federal construction projects from 2001-2008, during which government-mandated PLAs were prohibited, reveals that there were no instances in which labor disruptions occurred that resulted in significant project delays or increased costs.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2010 Penton Media Inc.
Acceptable Use Policy blog comments powered by Disqus






