Letter to President Donald J. Trump - Bipartisan Reps Urge President To Continue Labor Agreements

Letter

Dear President Trump,

We write you today as a bipartisan coalition of Members of Congress who wish to work with you towards our common goals of improving the nation's infrastructure and growing our economy. Federal construction projects often accomplish both of these objectives--building new military bases or hospitals for our service members and veterans, while generating high-paying jobs in the area. We respect your extensive knowledge of building and construction projects in the private sector and look forward to your future proposals for federal projects.

As you begin to plan out your administration's priorities, we ask that you keep all contracting options in consideration, including Project Labor Agreements (PLAs). Federal construction projects are massive undertakings and can often take years just to be authorized. Given the cost and complications of these projects, no construction management tool, such as PLAs, should be prohibited.

Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) have been utilized in some of the federal government's largest infrastructure projects, including the Hoover Dam. Projects that use PLAs often avoid delays or disruptions as the wages and hours for workers are determined before construction begins. Working families are better able to make plans for their households when they know they have a stable schedule and consistent pay. PLAs help ensure compliance with workplace health and safety laws, keeping the construction workforce fit and able for the duration of a project. Since many projects that use a PLA employ apprentices, these agreements play a critical role in developing a well-trained, highly skilled workforce.

In your home state of New York, the use of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) has been encouraged on construction projects since 1997, under both Republican and Democratic governors. Several of your company's projects in New York and New Jersey have used PLAs, including the Trump National Club House in Briarcliff, NY, Trump Plaza in New Rochelle, NY, and the Trump Taj Mahal. Many other companies in the private sector, including Disney, Toyota, and General Motors, utilize PLAs. The federal government should not be barred from using such a popular instrument of construction management.

We look forward to working with your administration on an infrastructure package to improve our nations' roads and bridges and to create good jobs for the middle-class. Again, we ask that you keep all contracting choices, including Project Labor Agreements (PLAs), available to the federal government.

Sincerely,

Representative Donald Norcross

Representative Derek Kilmer

Representative Kathleen Rice

Representative David McKinley

Representative Peter King

Representative Frank LoBiondo