Port of Los Angeles Project Labor Agreement
The Port of Los Angeles Project Labor Agreement: What You Need to Know
The Port of Los Angeles is one of the busiest and most important ports in the United States. It handles more than 20% of all goods that enter the country and supports over 1 million jobs. To ensure that projects at the port are completed efficiently and effectively, the Port of Los Angeles has implemented a Project Labor Agreement (PLA).
What is a Project Labor Agreement?
A Project Labor Agreement is a pre-hire agreement between a construction project owner and a labor union(s) that establishes the terms and conditions of employment for a specific project. The PLA outlines the wages, benefits, and working conditions for workers on the project and ensures that all parties are in agreement before work begins.
The Port of Los Angeles PLA
The Port of Los Angeles PLA was first implemented in 2008 and has since been used for several large-scale construction projects, including the TraPac Container Terminal and the Berth 200 Rail Yard. The PLA applies to all construction projects at the port that are over $2.5 million.
The PLA is a partnership between the Port of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council, and individual unions. The PLA aims to create a stable and reliable workforce, improve construction quality and safety, and promote local hiring.
Benefits of the PLA
There are many benefits to the Port of Los Angeles PLA, including:
1. Skilled workforce: The PLA ensures that workers on the project are highly trained and experienced. This leads to improved construction quality and reduces the risk of accidents and injuries.
2. Local hiring: The PLA requires contractors to hire a certain percentage of workers from the local area. This helps to support the local economy and creates job opportunities for residents.
3. Cost savings: The PLA establishes uniform wages and benefits for all workers on the project. This helps to control costs and ensures that the project is completed on time and on budget.
4. Labor peace: The PLA establishes a dispute resolution process that helps to prevent labor disputes and work stoppages, ensuring that the project is completed on schedule.
Conclusion
The Port of Los Angeles Project Labor Agreement is a valuable tool for ensuring that construction projects at the port are completed efficiently and effectively. It provides a stable and reliable workforce, improves construction quality and safety, promotes local hiring, and helps to control costs. By implementing the PLA, the Port of Los Angeles is setting an example for other ports and construction projects throughout the country.