Mayor Bibb and Congresswoman Shontel Brown join construction workforce and union leaders to announce new Cleveland PLA policy

Gathering at IUOE Local 18 commemorated Labor Day with speakers, ceremony, and job fair

Monday, September 9, 2024 - Cleveland - Mayor Justin M. Bibb, Congresswoman Shontel Brown, the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council, the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Workforce Development Board, and local union leaders gathered at the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 18 Headquarters last week to commemorate Labor Day, honor Cleveland's workforce, and commit to using Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on major City of Cleveland public improvement projects.

"When the city builds big projects, we want to make sure that we're doing it right," said Mayor Bibb. "PLAs help set the standards for wages, benefits, and working conditions, ensuring that workers in Cleveland are treated with the respect they deserve."

In general, PLAs are pre-hire agreements that establish the terms and conditions of employment for construction projects. Cleveland's new policy requires that public improvement projects with a budget of $500,000 or more that are directly owned by the City of Cleveland must establish a PLA. By bringing all parties together under the same framework, PLAs help to ensure fair wages, a diverse and equitable workforce, on-time completion, and high-quality labor for important City construction projects.

"PLAs boost our workforce through local hiring and recruiting goals. This includes apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship job training programs that establish a pathway to family-sustaining careers in construction," said Dave Wondolowski, Executive Secretary and Business Manager of the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council. "Additionally, these agreements address labor supply, alleviate work stoppages, strengthen safety standards, and help achieve cost savings by setting contract terms upfront."

In December 2003, Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su announced on behalf of President Biden a similar PLA requirement for major federal construction contracts. That announcement was made here in Cleveland and was a catalyst for Mayor Bibb and his administration to develop a similar policy.

"PLAs are powerful tools that support employment opportunities, open doors for women and people of color, increase transparency and trust, and help us ensure stability, quality and efficiency on major public projects" Mayor Bibb added. "I appreciate the commitment and collaboration of all the partners that helped us shape and refine a policy for the City of Cleveland that is rooted in both respect for our workers and good business sense."

For more information, please see the PLA Executive Order and template document.