AGC Continues Fight Against PLA at Bates

AGC is considering legislative options in light of the Department of Enterprise Services decision to proceed with a project labor agreement (PLA) on the new Communications Tech Center at Bates Technical College in Tacoma.

As reported previously in AGC Works AGC protested the use of a PLA for the Bates project as among other things it is unwarranted developed without contractor input and likely to increase project costs.

“Although it may be the intent to require the successful bidder to negotiate a PLA prior to commencing construction establishing the proposed draft as the starting point severely limits the negotiating position of the general contractor allowing organized labor to adopt a ‘take it or leave’ approach” AGC Government Affairs Director Slunaker told DES in a letter detailing AGCs concerns. “This amounts to a government-negotiated PLA which AGC has long opposed as this approach imposes terms which may actually hinder the achievement of any desired benefits from PLA utilization.”

DES responded by concluding in a letter The state has made the determination that use of a PLA is in the states best interest and will continue forward taking into account the issues and concerns you have expressed.

AGC will now consider legislative options. For more information contact Rick Slunaker 360-352-5000.