Because project labor agreements” save money in the long run, I commend the Butler County Commissioners’ prudent decision to adopt a PLA for the construction of the office annex to the Government Center. The anti-union lobby group Associated Builders and Contractors opposes PLAs, as does the county Republican committee, whose chairman Edward Natali expressed the committee’s opposition in a May 2 letter (“Bad for taxpayers). I respectfully disagree. On construction sites of public-sector undertakings, these pre-hire, uniform agreements contribute to the careful planning of construction management by bolstering consistency, stability, efficiency and productivity. PLAs promote not only labor-cost reduction, including no strike-and-lockout provisions, but also respect fair labor standards, including alternative dispute-resolution procedures, all to avoid costly construction stoppages. I found no credible evidence PLAs increase project costs: Such claims, as disseminated by PLA opponents, are usually based on inconclusive data, faculty assumptions and flawed methodology. In my opinion, PLAs have a favorable impact on public projects as a PLA tends to guarantee its completion on time and on schedule. Finally, PLAs are not “union-only” accords; contrary to what Republican Party minions purport, all contractors can bid on any PLA-related ventures; if nonunion builders choose not to bid, then it’s at their own, sole discretion.
