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Contractors' group opposes Bill 54, says project‑wide labor agreement would exclude local merit‑shop firms
Summary
The Associated Builders and Contractors - Hawaii told the council Bill 54 would require project labor agreements on county projects over $500,000 and argued the threshold would capture most projects and exclude local merit‑shop contractors and subcontractors.
Jeff Almeda, speaking for the Associated Builders and Contractors, Hawaii Chapter, told the Maui County Council he strongly opposes Bill 54, which he said "would require contractors county projects over 500,000 to sign a union agreement, a so called community workforce agreement. But it's really a project labor agreement."
Almeda argued the bill's $500,000 threshold would encompass most public‑works projects on Maui and claimed that forcing merit‑shop contractors to accept union terms would sideline small, family‑owned specialty subcontractors and could lead to importing labor and increased housing demand.
"Forcing them to sign union terms they've never needed just to keep working, it's unfair and unnecessary," Almeda said. He warned that project labor agreements (PLAs) "raise construction costs significantly" and suggested higher costs could reduce the number of projects that proceed.
Why it matters: The testimony framed Bill 54 as a potential barrier for local nonunion contractors and subcontractors, arguing that a broad PLA requirement could affect costs and local employment on roads, schools, housing and water projects. The council did not take formal action in the public‑comment record shown in the transcript.
Ending: Almeda said the industry supports helping workers but urged continued conversation rather than adopting Bill 54 as written.
