Project Labor Agreement (PLA)
Definition
Pre-hire collective bargaining agreement between construction contractors and unions establishing wages, benefits, work rules, and dispute resolution for large projects. Ensures quality, safety, and fair wages.
Louisville Context
PLAs ensure construction workers on public projects earn living wages with benefits and work safely. Kentucky law (KRS 45A.488, 2019) bars public agencies from requiring PLAs, or giving bidders a preference for them, on public works, and from making them a condition of a grant or tax incentive. Contractors can still choose to sign them. I will encourage voluntary project labor agreements that include local hiring (not just union members), fight in Frankfort to restore prevailing wage, and apply federal Davis-Bacon standards where federal dollars are used. PLAs guarantee: prevailing wages, apprenticeship opportunities, safety standards, and completion on time/budget.
Why It Matters
Public projects should create good jobs, not exploit workers. PLAs ensure workers earn living wages with benefits while delivering quality work on time and budget. Good for workers, good for taxpayers, good for projects.
My Proposal
Encourage voluntary project labor agreements on city construction projects, with local hiring and apprenticeship opportunities; fight in Frankfort to restore prevailing wage; and apply federal Davis-Bacon standards where federal dollars are used.