Pilot Project Labor Agreement Legislation Passes
Following Public Comment And Council Debate, CB-004-2023 Is Enacted
Courtesy Prince George’s County Council Media Office
On Tuesday, the Prince George’s County Council voted 9-1 to support CB-4-2023, which is new legislation that would establish a Pilot Project Labor Agreement (PLA) targeting Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) Curb and Road Rehabilitation 2 construction projects that create entry-level positions for residents.
District 8 Council Member Edward P. Burroughs III, proposer of the CB-4-2023, noted the critical need to hire and train local construction workers, providing opportunities for residents to acquire lifelong skills and earn family supporting wages.
“I am so honored to be a part of The People’s Council. One of our top pillars is supporting working families and this bill perfectly aligns with that purpose. The Council has a responsibility to use its legislative powers to guarantee that a significant share of taxpayer dollars spent on local construction projects are reinvested back into our communities to uplift County residents, and that’s what this pilot will do. Project Labor Agreements have a proven track record of fostering positive benefits, ensuring compliance with workplace safety and health standards and wage protections and equal opportunity. It is a common phenomenon in our County to pull up to construction projects and see license plates from West Virginia, Pennsylvania and otherwise. It is important that we shift that – that we invest in our own.”
The legislation, also supported by County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, has a stated goal of advancing the County’s interest in producing labor-management stability; ensuring compliance with laws and regulations governing safety and health; furthering equal employment opportunities; and raising labor and employment standards. The Curb and Road Rehabilitation 2 construction project category provides the largest ongoing funded Capital Improvement Program (CIP) category for DPW&T.
District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha, co-sponsor of the legislation, said the measure creates opportunities for both small minority businesses and residents.
The Council conducted a labor session during its Annual Retreat last January, that included presentations from union principals, and discussions surrounding Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and Project Labor Agreements (PLA). Council Members discussed ways to leverage County contracts to benefit residents, focusing on increasing the number of contracts that go to County-Based MBEs while using PLAs to recruit, hire and train County residents, providing them with much needed benefits, including but not limited to, health care, retirement, sick leave, and family leave.
