Labor committee advances ordinance requiring apprentices on city public‑works projects

The Committee on Labor and Civil Service voted to advance Bill 250607 after hearing administration officials and labor and training advocates testify that the measure will expand apprenticeship opportunities and improve project safety and quality.

Aparna Palantino, director of the Capital Program Office, said the ordinance as amended would "ensure that at least 70% of the workforce on these projects have successfully completed or are enrolled in certified apprenticeship programs," and would apply to public works contracts valued at $300,000 or more when the anticipated on‑site workforce exceeds four individuals. She said noncompliance could result in disqualification or debarment.

The bill drew support from labor groups and pre‑apprenticeship programs. Kylie Pickens of the Construction Apprentice Preparatory Program (CAP) described CAP’s record, saying the program has enrolled more than 390 participants since 2017 with an 83% graduation rate and 87% placement into registered apprenticeships. Jamal Coles of Ironworkers Local 401 told the committee that training requirements help ensure competent work, reduce costly repairs and deter wage theft and misclassification.

Procurement Commissioner Ron Hovey told members the bill includes reporting requirements and that data on compliance and waivers will be gathered and reported to Council. "We'll be gathering data which will be available...and we'll report annually back to the council on the outcomes that we see," Hovey said, adding the reporting will include issuance of waivers so they can be monitored.

Andre Bragg, director of the Office of Labor Standards, described the Office’s role in verification and enforcement: the Office will collect weekly payrolls, use an LCP (labor compliance program) tracking system, conduct interviews and inspections, and track each project quarterly to verify apprenticeship participation. "We will be able to track and have the staffing to not only track it, but have interviews and cross reference to make sure that...all the companies are in compliance," Bragg said.

Committee members pressed on implementation details, including whether the city has sufficient apprenticeship supply and how quickly shortfalls would be addressed on active job sites. Hovey said some specialized work (for example, elevator/escalator technicians or certain state‑jurisdiction highway work) may be exempted via waivers; he said the procurement office intends to lower upfront barriers by accepting self‑certifications at bidding and monitoring actual performance after award. Hovey also recommended making the reporting requirement nonspecific ("not less than annually") or aligning it to the fiscal year to match city systems and the forthcoming OPAL reporting platform.

Councilwoman Catherine Gilmore Richardson offered an amendment that was seconded and approved by the committee. She then moved that the bill, as amended, be reported from committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules be suspended to permit first reading at the next Council session; the motion was seconded and the ayes prevailed.

The committee heard no oral public comment during the meeting; written testimony from Montgomery County and Bucks County commissioners was submitted and distributed. The committee also discussed staff commitments: Hovey said the administration intends to hire two field inspectors and a compliance analyst after the bill is passed and will provide a written hiring timeline to the committee.

The bill will be reported from committee to the full Council with a favorable recommendation and may be scheduled for first reading at the next Council session.