Senate Bill 165, legislation to prohibit project labor agreements (PLAs) in government contracts, passed the Senate Thursday on a straight party-line vote of 26-12. The measure is sponsored by Senator John Moolenaar (R-Midland).
A PLA sets forth the labor costs, rules, and hours for a project and often requires non-unionized contractors to sign onto and abide by local labor agreements. The legislation prohibits discrimination in favor of, or against, non-unionized contractors in publicly-funded projects.
The legislation, named the “Fair and Open Competition in Governmental Construction Act” by the sponsor, moved from the Senate Committee on Reforms, Restructuring and Reinvention in March. The House Commerce Committee passed a similar measure, also in March, HB 4287 sponsored by Representative Joe Haveman (R-Holland).
Labels: PLA