APS policy committee holds first read of capital planning policy after public debate over project labor agreements

Albuquerque Public Schools' Policy Committee met Nov. 3, 2025, and heard eight public-forum speakers who urged differing approaches to proposed references to community workforce agreements (CWAs) and project labor agreements (PLAs) in a draft capital planning and budgeting policy. The committee adopted the meeting agenda and approved minutes by roll-call vote at the start of the session.

The most urgent issue raised at public forum was language in the draft policy that says the district "shall pursue community workforce and labor project agreements" for capital projects. Several contractors and apprentices told the committee that explicit references to CWAs or PLAs could shrink the pool of bidders and reduce opportunities for nonunion or merit-based contractors. "The use of community workforce or labor project agreements as outlined in the current policy would effectively counsel someone like me from participating in APS projects," said Oswaldo Rojas, who described himself as a graduate of New America Charter School and a product of apprenticeship programs. "I'm asking you to strike the specific reference to community workforce or labor project agreements and instead include inclusive language that values all contractors and apprentices," he said.

Small-business contractors echoed that concern. "Mandatory PLAs would shrink the competitive pool of contractors and subcontractors, and with smaller pools, pricing tends to be less competitive," said Zach…