Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) are a proven way to effectively manage and maintain time schedules and budgets on a project that include all the union parties working on a specific contract. PLAs encourage fair competition among contractors by standardizing labor conditions.

PLA's differ from standard collective bargaining agreements by including all of the parties working on a specific project, not just a single union and contractor. A PLA takes precedence over all pre-existing collective bargaining agreements between contractors and unions.

PLAs are used on both public and private construction and provide a project with stability, increased value and reduced cost by streamlining negotiations for complex projects. In light of the ongoing U.S. shortage of skilled labor, PLA's ensure major projects will not be delayed by a shortage of qualified workers or labor disputes.

Project Labor Agreements include:

• Establishment of uniform work and pay schedules.

• Agreements by workers not to strike or conduct work stoppages.

• Insurance that major projects will not be delayed by a shortage of qualified workers.

• Management rights for hiring.

• Standardized grievance procedures and dispute resolution.

• Fair competition among contractors by standardizing labor conditions.

• Streamlined negotiations for complex projects, reducing costs along the way.

• 'Social Justice' building provisions to increase local jobs and support local causes.