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Board renews Project Labor Agreement after union testimony highlighting apprenticeships and local hire
Summary
After nine public commenters from construction trades urged renewal to preserve apprenticeship pathways and local hiring, the board approved renewal of the Project Labor Agreement unanimously. Trustees emphasized career-pathway benefits and prevailing-wage protections.
The Natomas Unified board voted to renew the district’s Project Labor Agreement (PLA) after public testimony from multiple representatives of construction unions and apprenticeship programs urging the renewal.
John Hershey of UA Local 447 urged support, saying renewal would "be a commitment to supporting local apprenticeship programs" and asked the board for a "yes vote." Multiple other commenters — including sheet-metal and electrical apprentices and union representatives — described career pathways for district graduates and urged that bond and construction dollars remain local.
Kevin Ferreira, executive director of the Sacramento Sierra Building and Construction Trades Council, thanked the district for its prior collaboration and cited the PLA’s role in training and job pathways: "We are an organization of construction unions...representing 30 apprenticeship programs, which means there's 31 career paths in unionized construction with us." Trustees spoke in favor of renewal, highlighting prevailing-wage protections, local hire provisions and connections to CTE and apprenticeship programs.
The board approved the PLA renewal by roll call (motion passed 4–0). Trustees asked trades to continue engagement with students and schools to strengthen pipelines from CTE programs into apprenticeships and careers.
