Learn the facts
The truth about PLAs
Secondary Benefits of PLAs
- Enforcement
Contractors operating under a PLA are more likely to comply with labor laws and pay negotiated wages. This reduces the burden on schools and state government to police the jobsite. This is because PLAs and collective bargaining agreements include the active participation of Shop Stewards and unions in their administration.
- Apprenticeship
Aside from savings, these programs provide job opportunities for Long Island’s youth, allowing them to obtain long-term careers in the local construction industry.
- Benefits
PLAs also provide solid benefits that often are not provided to non-union workers. Safety Training, healthcare and pensions at no cost to taxpayers means less strain on local resources and budgets.
- Local Economy
Guarantees local workforce is receiving the jobs. Money stays local, supporting school tax base and budgets.
Common questions about PLAs
Below we have compiled common questions about PLAs to help better understand
what they are and how they actually help.
Do Project Labor Agreements ban nonunion contractors?
No. PLAs are open to both union and nonunion contractors as long as they follow the same project rules.
Do PLAs increase construction costs?
No. Numerous studies show PLAs help control costs by reducing delays, disputes, and workforce shortages.
Do PLAs force workers to join a union?
No. Workers are not required to join a union to work on a PLA project.
Do PLAs limit competition and bidder participation?
No. PLAs often expand competition by creating consistent standards that allow more qualified contractors to bid confidently.
Do PLAs cause project delays?
No. PLAs reduce delays by setting clear work rules and providing reliable access to skilled labor.
Do PLAs exclude local workers?
No. PLAs typically prioritize local hiring and workforce development, including apprenticeships.
Do PLAs eliminate contractor flexibility?
No. PLAs provide clarity, not rigidity, helping contractors plan labor needs more efficiently.
Do PLAs increase the risk of strikes?
No. PLAs include no-strike, no-lockout provisions that ensure labor peace for the duration of the project.
Do PLAs only benefit unions?
No. PLAs benefit owners, taxpayers, contractors, and workers by improving safety, quality, and accountability.
Are PLAs one-size-fits-all mandates?
No. PLAs are tailored to individual projects based on size, complexity, and workforce needs.
Economic Studies In Favor of PLAs
- Bidding
The Impacts of Project Labor Agreements on Costs, Competition, and Contractors in Illinois, Manzo & Bruno 2025);
* PLAS increase the bidder pool.
Project Labor Agreements and Bidding Outcomes, UC Berkeley Labor Center, Philips and Waitzman (2021):
* Singular peer-reviewed examination of how Project Labor Agreements impact bidding competitiveness, found no significant effect of PLAs on the number of bidders, even when controlling for project size and other relevant factors.
- Cost
Project Labor Agreements: A Research Review, Ormiston & Duncan 2022;
* No significant impact on costs of school construction.
Public Works Management & Policy (2021):
* 263 public education projects; no significant effect on costs or bidders.
Industrial Relations (2010, 2014):
* 300–400+ K-12 school projects; no cost premium when models are properly specified.
Project Labor Agreements in New York State: In the Public Interest & Proven Value, Fred Kotler, Cornell University ILR School (2009, 2011):
* Reviews hundreds of public projects; finds PLAs can serve the public interest without increasing costs.