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| Project Labor Agreements |
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| Greenmail |
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| Open Competition Language |
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CFEC Key Points |
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What People Have to Say About PLAs
What Editors Across California Have to Say:
Since PLAs began proliferating in California in the late 1990's there have been more than two dozen editorials written in newspapers around the state dealing with them. From liberal to conservative, every paper has had the same response: PLAs are a fraud.
Here are just a few quotes from the editorials:
"But PLAs favor union contractors and, by extension, unions. Thus public officials adopting a PLA are currying favor with, and possibly political campaign contributions from, unions. This is just the kind of cronyism the competitive bidding laws seek to avoid."
- Engineering News-Record
"The fact is that PLAs increase construction costs considerably and have no place in our community."
- Contra Costa Times
"Even school board member David Tokofsky, who often sides with the teacher unions, can't turn a blind eye to this (PLA) outrage. He estimated the plan would increase costs 10 to 15%."
- Los Angeles Daily News
"Worse, the new (PLA) policy undermines count policies intended to benefit small businesses, particularly women- and minority-owned firms, that are less likely to be unionized."
- East Bay Business Times
"Competition is the key to our economy...that's why we question the Port of Oakland's decision to negotiate an agreement (PLA) that does the opposite."
- Oakland Tribune
"At issue is whether (UC) regents should force people to join a private group (unions) in order to work on a job. That's hardly consistent with the intent of a major University."
- The Modesto Bee
"PLAs are about empowering unions, not helping workers."
- The Sacramento Bee
"The school board is executing a blunt, crude power play with $2.1 billion in Proposition S construction and renovation funds, ramming through a “project labor agreement”, the inevitable result will be far fewer projects being built – in other words, far fewer benefits for students and taxpayers.This is not remotely politics as usual. This is a disgrace"
-San Diego Union Tribune
For more quotes and a printable flyer please click here.
What Women and Minorities Have to Say:
The overwhelming majority of minority and women-owned construction firms (the majority being subcontractors) are merit shop. It is for this reason that every minority and women construction association that has taken a stance has opposed PLAs.
Here is what women and minority groups say about PLAs:
"PLAs are de facto segregation ... African-American workers are significantly underrepresented in all crafts of construction union shops...PLAs are non-competitive and, most of all, discriminatory."
- National Black Chamber of Commerce
"WCOE opposes government mandated PLAs...PLAs will disproportionately impact small business, particularly those owned by women and minorities."
- Women Construction Owners and Executives
"Bay Area Black Contractors Association has been a strong advocate for merit shop construction firms in the Bay Area and we are opposed to PLAs."
- Bay Area Black Contractors Association
"We believe PLAs make it more difficult for minority-owned contractors to compete...they effectively work against the goals of increasing the number of projects awarded to minority-owned businesses by placing roadblocks in the way."
- Latin Builders Association
"The ultimate effect of the San Francisco Airport PLA is clear ... once the PLA was implemented minority business prime contract participation dropped 91.9%. This PLA has been a disaster for minority-owned business."
- Asian American Contractors Association
For more quotes and a printable flyer please click here.
What Union Leaders Have to Say About PLAs
What do union leaders say behind close doors? You would be surprised. Their truthfulness is refreshing and scary. Click HERE to get a printable flier that lists just some of the things union leaders have said behind close doors.
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