On Dec. 9, ABC’s Golden Gate chapter won another victory for merit shop construction when the Fresno City Council upheld an existing ban on the mandatory use of union-only project labor agreements (PLA) for public works projects in the City of Fresno. Attempts to reopen the discussion were defeated 6-1.
In Hazelton, Pa., ABC’s Eastern Pennsylvania chapter helped defeat a proposal that would have required PLAs on nearly all school district capital improvement projects. The chapter placed advertisements in local newspapers and mobilized a grassroots effort to speak out against PLAs. The efforts were successful, and on Nov. 25 the Pennsylvania School Directors voted against the proposal.
In East Lansing, Mich., The Michigan State University (MSU) Board of Trustees considered whether or not to allow a union-only PLA to cover construction work on Brody Hall, the school’s cafeteria. Although the trustees ultimately decided to continue with the PLA, ABC of Michigan, MSU students and local supporters of free and open competition conducted a strong campaign that may prevent future PLAs at MSU.
To view examples from the MSU campaign, click
here or
here or visit
www.stopmsuplas.com.
For more information, contact Ben Brubeck at ABC,
brubeck@abc.org.