Legislation to End Project Labor Agreements on Federal Construction Projects Introduced

Amendment to Restrict Imposition of PLAs on FY 2011 Work Narrowly Defeated On February 16, Representative John Sullivan (R-Okla.) introduced legislation that seeks to ensure that federal contracts are awarded through open competition. The Government Neutrality in Contracting Act would prohibit the use of government mandated project labor agreements (PLAs) on federal construction projects. This legislation mirrors a Senate bill recently introduced by Senator Vitter (R-La.). In addition, the House considered an amendment to the Continuing Resolution by Representative Frank Guinta (R-N.H.) to prohibit the use of PLAs on federal projects for FY11. That amendment was narrowly defeated by a 210-210 tie vote. All Democrats held together in opposition to the amendment while 26 Republicans crossed party lines to vote against the amendment. AGC supported the Guinta amendment and sent a letter to the House in support of its passage. AGC strongly supports free, open, and competitive bidding for all federal and federally-funded work – among all qualified firms, without regard to their lawful labor policies. Government-mandated PLAs effectively compel both union and open shop contractors to alter their hiring practices, work rules, job assignments, and benefits in order to compete for or to perform work on publicly funded projects.   This not only constitutes inappropriate government interference with private labor relations, it amounts to an unfair government preference that can significantly impact the cost of public works. To send a letter to your Senator or Representative in favor of Government Neutrality in Contracting Act, click here. For more information, please contact Marco Giamberardino at (703) 837-5325 or giamberm@agc.org.