Project Labor Agreements (PLAs)

Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) ensure fair wages, quality work, and safe job sites on large construction projects. Used in Minnesota for generations, PLAs protect taxpayers by eliminating costly delays and guaranteeing access to skilled workers.

What Are Project Labor Agreements?

PLAs are collective bargaining agreements between building trades unions and contractors that establish uniform workforce standards for all craft workers—union and nonunion—on a construction project.

Standard Provisions Include:

• Working hours and overtime rules
• Holiday schedules
• Grievance procedures
• Drug testing protocols
• Jurisdictional dispute resolution
• Safety standards

When PLAs Make Sense

PLAs are particularly valuable for:

• Large, complex construction projects requiring many skilled craft workers
• Long-term projects with extended timelines
• Time-sensitive projects where delays carry major costs
• Projects requiring workforce diversity and inclusion goals

Why PLAs Protect Taxpayers

PLAs eliminate costly delays caused by labor conflicts or shortages of skilled workers. By establishing clear standards upfront, PLAs ensure:

• No work stoppages due to labor disputes
• Access to skilled workers when and where needed
• Predictable costs with standardized wage and benefit structures
• High-quality work from trained, experienced craft workers
• On-time completion for time-sensitive projects

When public dollars are on the line, PLAs provide certainty and accountability.

Advancing Workforce Diversity

PLAs can include provisions that promote workforce diversity and inclusion, creating pathways into good construction careers for underrepresented communities while maintaining quality and safety standards.