Senate Follows House In Taking Swing At PLAs

On the heels of testimony regarding similar legislation before the House Committee on Oversight, Ethics & Reforms (House Bill 4287), the Senate Committee on Reforms, Restructuring & Reinvention voted to report Senate Bill 165, legislation prohibiting discrimination in favor of or opposition to union or non-union contractors bidding for publicly funded contracts.

The Committee listened to testimony in favor of and in opposition to the legislation for a large portion of the day Wednesday, not moving the measure until nearly 5:00PM. Four Republicans on the Committee voted yes while the two Democrats voted no and Senator Mike Kowall (R-White Lake Township) abstained.

Union members crowded the hearing room in opposition of the legislation, sponsored by Senator John Moolenaar (R-Midland), claiming the use of project labor agreements (PLAs) ensures well-trained workers manage safe sites. Advocates of the measure contend the reform is a matter of fairness, claiming non-unionized contractors are not open to bid on publicly-funded contracts.

PLAs are agreements between the developer, government, and trade unions that set wages and work regulations. Under current law, if a non-union contractor wishes to bid on a project, it would be required to meet the wage and work regulations of the PLA.

Labels: PLA

posted by PAA Online , Friday, March 11, 2011 11:08 AM
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