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Fox News makes up things about project labor agreements based on Governor Brown's previous law preventing PLA bans
In a big win for workers in California, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed a bill that would prevent local communities from banning project labor agreements. PLAs are used to set standards on construction jobs in terms of wages, work conditions, diversity, local hire rules, health care benefits and worker safety. They have been successfully used across the country to benefit both workers and contractors. Conservatives dislike them because they cut back on profiteering in the construction industry and because unions frequently negotiate for PLAs on projects they work on. Localities like San Diego have sought to ban them in an attempt to cut costs and undercut union strength and the rights of working families.
The State Building and Construction Trades of California applauded the legislation:
Governor Jerry Brown today signed Building Trades sponsored SB 829, which makes it unequivocally clear that no local governments may enact blanket prohibitions on PLAs without losing state funding for public works projects.
The bill is a follow-up to last years’ SB 922, which prohibited bans on local PLAs.
But anti-union forces creatively argued that SB 922 wouldn’t apply to some charter cities. So we sponsored SB 829, to remove any trace of doubt that the law applies to all charter cities as well.
The bill passed both the Assembly and Senate on party line votes, with Democrats in favor and Republicans opposed. It was during the Assembly floor debate that one of the Republicans, Assembly Member Shannon Grove of Bakersfield, made the outlandish claim that labor unions were “enemies of the constitution.”
SBCTC Legislative Director Cesar Diaz said SB 829 now eliminates any lack of clarity regarding PLA bans, and makes it crystal clear that local governments must remain free to consider whether to use PLAs if they are to receive state funding for construction projects.
We must again extend a huge thank you to all of our affiliates who contacted legislators and expressed support. The successful effort to pass SB 829 is the result of your hard work and incredible unity between city officials, the environmental community, affordable housing advocates, civil rights groups, our signatory contractors, organized labor, and the Building Trades.
