Washington, D.C. – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations passed an amendment to the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2013. The amendment, offered by Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), prevents federal agencies from requiring contractors to sign anti-competitive and costly project labor agreements (PLAs) as a condition of winning federal construction contracts.

“Passage of this amendment ensures fair and open competition on federal construction contracts funded by the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill,” said ABC Vice President of Federal Affairs Geoff Burr.

“We urge all members of Congress to oppose government-mandated PLAs that result in increased costs, discrimination, favoritism and delays on federal construction projects,” said Burr. 

“Merit shop contractors and their employees want nothing more than to give taxpayers and the government the best possible construction product at the best possible price, while performing the work safely and on time,” Burr said. “We call on Congress to oppose any effort that would strike this language from the bill.”  

 
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national association with 74 chapters representing 22,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms. Visit us at www.abc.org.