PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENTS
A Project Labor Agreement (PLA) is a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement entered into between a Project Owner or Construction Manager and one or more Building and Construction Trades labor organizations that establishes uniform terms and conditions of employment for a specific construction project.
While wage rates and benefit fund contributions of the individual trades are applicable, the terms of a specific PLA apply to all contractors and subcontractors who successfully bid on the project, and supersedes any conflicting provisions in existing collective bargaining agreements. With flexibility to address each project individually, PLAs are used on both public and private projects and can be modified by the signatory parties to meet the needs of a particular project.
The value of a PLA also rests with knowing that the project will continue without interruptions of work, as a PLA includes provisions to prevent any strikes, lockouts, or other work stoppages for the length of the project, address individual grievances arising during the project and resolve any jurisdictional disputes between trades. Qualified trade employees are hired for the project through hiring hall referrals.
PLAs are authorized under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), 29 U.S.C. §§ 151-169. Sections 8(e) and (f) of the NLRA, 29 U.S.C. §§ 158(e) and (f) make special exceptions from other requirements of the NLRA in order to permit employers to enter into pre-hire agreements with labor unions in the construction industry.
NAMED PERMANENT ARBITRATOR IN MAJOR CONSTRUCTION “PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENTS”:
• American Dream Meadowlands, NJ
• Atlantic City Convention Center
• Borgata Casino and Hotel, Atlantic City
• Campbell Soup Co Service Building, Camden
• Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
• Goldman-Sachs Corporate Headquarters
• Met Life (Giants-Jets) Stadium, NJ
• Montclair State University Student Residence
• NJ Schools Construction Corporation
• NY City Department of Design & Construction (DDC)
• NY City Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
• NY City Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR)
• NY City Department of Environment Protection (DEP)
• World War II Memorial at Veterans Park, Trenton, NJ
NAMED PERMANENT ARBITRATOR IN MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE “PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENTS”:
• Bayonne Energy Center Projects I and II, NJ
• Ben Franklin Bridge, PA-NJ
• Commodore Barry Bridge, PA-NJ
• Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Transport System
• Global Gateway – Liberty International Airport
• NJ Highway Authority – Driscoll Bridge Project
• South Jersey Light Rail Transportation System
• Tappan Zee Bridge Replacement Project, NY
• Walt Whitman Bridge, PA-NJ