Dayton adopts emergency ordinance allowing project labor agreements for vertical construction over $2 million

The Dayton City Commission on July 2 unanimously approved emergency ordinance No. 32151-25, enacting section 35.241 of the city’s Revised Code of General Ordinances to allow project labor agreements (PLAs) on certain public construction projects. The ordinance applies to vertical construction projects with a $2,000,000 threshold, excludes Dayton Airport work, and includes an exemption when a funding source prohibits PLAs.

City Law Department attorney John Musto told commissioners the city drafted the ordinance to “maximize those benefits and reduce the risks.” Musto said PLAs are “a unique collective bargaining agreement that is negotiated for a specific construction project” and listed common provisions including wages and benefits, hiring procedures (often from local union halls), safety rules and apprenticeship training. He said the city chose a $2,000,000 threshold because vertical construction is typically more complex and trade-heavy, and the amount gives staff and the Human Relations Council time to educate small and minority-owned contractors before any future lowering of the threshold.

David Cox, executive secretary of the Dayton Building and Construction Trades Council, testified in favor of the ordinance, saying the council represents 16 unions and “7,000 skilled union construction workers that call Dayton and…