Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) set the terms on construction projects before workers are hired.
When a Project Labor Agreement is in place, UA members get hired at fair wages with good benefits and the best safety standards for the workplace.
With a Project Labor Agreement, union contractors win more work, and workers get paid a fair wage.
For more information on Project Labor Agreements, click here.
PLAs ensure fair wages. When a government-funded project uses PLAs, contractors can't bring in outside labor on the cheap. That means more money in your pocket.
PLAs prioritize safety. UA members are the best trained craftspeople in the world, and we take pride in our high safety standards. With PLAs, a project is guaranteed to be completed by UA members using UA safety standards.
PLAs maximize efficiency. PLAs streamline all aspects of the project, from time schedules and budgets, to safety standards and dispute resolutions, resulting in a more efficient jobsite. In fact, Toyota has been able to build its U.S. manufacturing facilities using PLAs at one-third the cost of its competitors.
Get the facts straight on PLAs:
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PLAs lead to a more skilled and diverse workforce. These agreements tap into a workforce developed by billions of dollars of investments in apprenticeships and training, with increased career opportunities for local residents including women, minorities, and veterans.
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PLAs increase local investment and economic development. Higher pay rates on projects with PLAs contribute to a more sound local tax base and help small businesses thrive – like car dealerships, restaurants, and retail stores.
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PLAs don't increase project costs. Countless studies show there's no evidence to back up this claim from opponents of PLAs. In fact, projects are often completed under budget – which is why huge corporations like Toyota, Walmart, and Exelon frequently turn to PLAs.
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PLAs don't limit bidders on a project. Once a PLA is negotiated, both union and non-union contractors are free to bid on the project as long as they're willing to work under the terms of the agreement. In fact, there are often more bidders on a project with PLAs than without PLAs.
Here's the bottom line: when government-funded projects use PLAs, the work gets done better, faster, and cheaper – and UA members get paid more.
That's why the UA fights like hell to make sure our elected officials support PLAs.