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Unions outline benefits of project labor agreement as capital‑project discussions continue
Summary
Electricians and ironworkers told the Wappingers Central School District Board that a project labor agreement (PLA) could keep taxpayer dollars local, reduce delays and provide apprenticeship pathways; the presentation was informational and the board did not take formal action on a PLA.
Sam Fratto, business manager of Electricians Union Local 363, and Matt Stoddard, business manager of Ironworkers Local 417, gave a presentation to the Wappingers Central School District Board of Education on the potential use of a project labor agreement for future capital work.
Fratto told the board that a PLA “will ensure that a project of your magnitude will come in on time and on budget,” and that PLAs “help prevent delays by eliminate the risks of strikes, lockouts, or labor disputes.” Stoddard said PLAs can allow certain cost efficiencies tied to coordinated shift, overtime and benefit rules; he described the apprenticeship pipeline and said apprentices “go to school two nights a week” while earning on‑the‑job wages. Both presenters emphasized local hiring provisions and apprenticeship pathways for district graduates.
The presenters described safety and training advantages, saying workers on PLA projects are trained through multi‑year apprenticeship programs and must meet safety requirements such as OSHA training. Fratto said PLAs also “guarantee the use of skilled labor” and argued that keeping work local retains taxpayer dollars in the Hudson Valley.
Board members asked questions and thanked the presenters. Trustee Marie Johnson and other trustees said they appreciated the student apprentices who attended. The board allowed additional time for the presentation and discussion; a motion to extend the presentation time was approved. District staff said the capital committee and the district architect will continue to review information, and that the PLA topic will return to the board for later discussion once schedules and project timelines are firm.
No vote to adopt a PLA or to bind the district to any labor agreement occurred at the meeting; the session was an informational presentation and follow‑up work by staff and the capital committee was described as the next step.
