ABC Launches Website on Controversial Publicly Funded Project Labor Agreements
Washington, D.C.– Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today launched a new website, TheTruthAboutPLAs.com, designed to track and disseminate news and information about the detrimental effects of union-only, publicly funded construction project labor agreements (PLAs). Publicly funded PLAs are contracts that effectively restrict open shop contractors and their employees – comprising more than 84 percent of the construction workforce – from bidding and working on construction projects. In addition, publicly funded PLAs unnecessarily increase the costs of construction projects paid for by taxpayers, as well as discriminate against women and minorities.
TheTruthAboutPLAs.com will provide the latest news from the mainstream media and construction industry publications on publicly funded PLAs; highlight academic studies and public opinion data; link to state government resources on industry statistics, as well as political and economic information; and support a blog by U.S. construction industry experts.
“Publicly funded project labor agreements have a far-reaching negative impact on the open shop contracting community, taxpayers and the economy. However, that information has not been discussed in an interactive public forum – until now,” said ABC President and CEO Kirk Pickerel. “This new website provides an opportunity to keep construction professionals; federal, state and local legislators; the media; and the general public informed on the direct effect publicly funded PLAs have on their lives and their checkbooks.”
TheTruthAboutPLAs.com was developed in response to President Obama’s misguided Executive Order 13502 that promotes the use of publicly funded project labor agreements on federal government contracts exceeding $25 million. TheTruthAboutPLAs.com will dispel many of the myths surrounding the use of publicly funded PLAs, including arguments that these contracts eliminate work stoppages or strikes; guarantee a local workforce; guarantee projects are completed on time and on budget; and control the cost and the quality of the project and workforce.