Building Trades News

City Council Unanimously Passes Historic $10 Billion PLA

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined construction workers, activists and clergy in support of the LA City Council’s unanimous ratification on April 24 of an historic Project Labor Agreement and careers policy previously approved by the LA/Community Redevelopment Agency. The Project Labor Agreement would cover not only public works projects awarded by the LA/CRA, but also developers’ projects where the agency provides financial support. 

The  “motion to negotiate” the Project Labor Agreement was approved by the LA/CRA Commissioners on Feb. 21.

Negotiations with the City and the LA/CRA have already begun. “In just two negotiating sessions, much of the basic language of an agreement has been resolved,” said Building Trades Council Executive Secretary Richard Slawson. 

The PLA is expected to cover an estimated $10 billion in various projects that would be awarded, invested in and approved by the LA/CRA.  These projects would be undertaken over a 10-year period and would be built in every community throughout Los Angeles.

In addition to the thousands of construction jobs that would be covered, the agreement will ensure that more local jobs are maintained for city residents through the “Construction Careers Policy” that would become a part of PLA.

Slawson said that these agreements have worked well with the Los Angeles Unified School District Construction Bond Program, the Santa Ana Unified School Districts’ Building Program, and the six other major Project Labor Agreements that the crafts have negotiated with cities, counties and community college districts in Los Angeles and Orange Counties over the last 10 years. 

“With this agreement, the Building Trades will do what we have always done, provide the best trained and most skilled Craftsmen and women in the industry to CRA projects and provide pathways to good, middle class careers in the construction trades to the citizens of Los Angeles,” noted Council President Tom Moxley when addressing the City Council. 

“The Building Trades doesn’t just build structures, we build families, and we build communities.”

The agreement to negotiate was the result of years of work by craft union Business Managers and representatives, and the LA/OC Building Trades Council, with the support of the Building & Construction Trades Department. 

LA County Federation of Labor Secretary Treasurer Maria Elena Durazo and her staff lent their support to the crafts in this effort as well. Also assisting the building trades were community groups the crafts have longed worked with through their local outreach programs – particularly the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE) which coordinated efforts of the many interested community and religious organization partners.

Following the City Council’s vote, Slawson noted, “This agreement, when the negotiations are completed, will be good for the construction industry, good for workers, and good for the community throughout the area.”

The Council’s unanimous vote came after dozens of workers, clergy and community leaders joined the Craft Unions’ representatives in testifying before the City Council. Among those participating were workers who transformed their lives and built thriving careers through construction union apprenticeship programs. 

John Harriel, a 38-year old electrician from IBEW 11, testified that he had faced enormous challenges growing up in South Central Los Angeles and ended up serving time in prison.  Because of the second chance provided to him by the construction trades and his hard work and dedication to his craft, Harriel is now a foreman supervising a crew of 13 workers.

“This work is exciting and rewarding because it positively impacts lives.  I’m well-trained, well-paid and happy with how I’m able to contribute to my community,” said Harriel.

“Building a healthy community is more than just developing office space and housing,” said Cecilia V. Estolano, the LA/CRA’s Chief Executive Officer.  “This policy is a way to share benefits of redevelopment and help rebuild our middle class.”

In the last two years, the Building Trades Crafts have negotiated 11 project labor agreements with the City of Los Angeles.  While the final language of the PLA with the CRA is still being finalized, Craft Unions are already looking forward to new agreements with the City’s other agencies.

“This is just the beginning,” said Robbie Hunter, Resident of Ironworkers Local #433.

All of those involved voiced their feeling that this will be an historic action and if this agreement can be an example of how well the Project Labor Agreements have worked with the other agencies in the Los Angeles and Orange Counties’ area, every craft worker and contractor, as well as the City, will gain tremendously.

The Project Labor Agreements for schools alone have provided tens of thousand of jobs, helped to keep these project within budget and maintained construction schedules, all of which help to save precious public construction dollars.

The language for the PLA is expected to be completed soon and the parties to the agreement have committed to devote their energy to a great agreement.