On Tuesday, May 3rd, the Ohio Senate rejected a proposed ban on project labor agreements. The rejected legislation would have banned state and local governments from requiring use of project labor agreements on state-funded construction projects. This language was added to Senate Bill 152 in the House State Government Committee, which prohibits cities from imposing local hiring quotas on public projects.
The House voted 51-42 to pass the restrictions. Less than an hour later, the Senate voted 25-8 to reject the amendments to Senate Bill 152.
Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) are effective tools to ensure projects are completed in a timely fashion, while emphasizing livable wages, safety, and above all– quality workmanship.
Much opposition to PLAs comes from the myth that they raise project costs. ACT Ohio Executive Director Szollosi addressed this issue to the Columbus Dispatch, remarking:
“‘A number of large private companies in Ohio utilize project labor agreements… If that were the case, why do Ohio’s most successful corporations choose to utilize PLAs regularly? They’re not in the business of wasting money’.”
In response to the Senate’s rejection of the bill, Executive Director Szollosi stated:
“For decades, project labor agreements have proven to increase efficiency, decrease delays, and promote timely project delivery for the customer. Oftentimes, what gets lost in the political discussion are the tremendous benefits for project owners. More than anything, owners expect quality, value, and efficiency. Project labor agreements have been shown for decades to deliver on these expectations. Our affiliates greatly appreciate the efforts of legislators on both sides of the aisle to reject what would have been poor public policy.”
ACT Ohio applauds all the Ohio legislators who took a positive stand on this issue, and will continue to follow PLA news in Ohio.
