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Local trades group pitches project labor agreement to keep jobs and apprenticeships in Scranton
Summary
Pat Dolan of the Scranton Building Trades urged the board to consider a project labor agreement (PLA) to prioritize local hires, encourage apprenticeships for students and retain project dollars locally; board members asked for a PLA draft and legal review to ensure compliance with bidding laws.
Pat Dolan, president of the Scranton Building Trades, told the board a project labor agreement would direct most construction work to local residents, allow preferences for City of Scranton and Lackawanna County workers, and create apprenticeship pathways for students. "It gives the vast majority of the work to local people," Dolan said, arguing PLAs can help keep project dollars in the local economy and build a trained workforce.
Directors asked whether a PLA would affect prevailing-wage obligations. Dolan said prevailing-wage rules (including Davis-Bacon where federal funds apply) would remain in force and that PLAs do not alter those requirements. Directors also raised legal and competitive-bidding concerns; one cautioned that PLAs can conflict with public-bidding laws and must be carefully structured to avoid discriminatory effects between union and nonunion firms.
Dolan and other speakers said courts have upheld PLAs in some time-sensitive projects and that PLAs can improve craft quality and reduce delays. Board members requested a written PLA draft and supporting reports, including the report Dolan cited about PLA cost savings in other jurisdictions, to be provided for future board consideration and possible agenda placement.
The board did not vote on a PLA; staff said they would provide a copy of the agreement and supporting materials for review.
