In 2008, citing the need to employ local tradesmen and women in order to stimulate the economy, the Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD) adopted a resolution to establish Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) for district construction projects. On Friday, a signed agreement finalized the resolution between the WRD and the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council. According to WRD Board President, Albert Robles:

This project labor agreement represents WRD’s commitment to ensuring optimum productivity and high quality District construction projects while also guaranteeing that working men and women WITHIN OUR SERVICE AREA are provided good paying jobs. Our Board is proud that this PLA will create local hiring preferences and thereby keep dollars circulating throughout our region.”

The historic agreement is welcome news to the 150,000 skilled workers that make up the LA/OC BCTC and their vast web of apprenticeship programs that serve southern California. The WRD serves over 10 percent of California’s population, representing 42 cities in southern Los Angeles County.

Robles elaborated on his support for PLAs:

“Project labor agreements, like the one we signed today, raise the quality of life for workers by providing good paying jobs and benefits that help sustain their families,” added Robles. “The local hiring component in the agreement will result in more dollars being spent within our communities and will contribute in strengthening our local economy.”

Los Angeles has been on the forefront of PLA implementation. Their port and bridge projects represent some of the largest PLAs signed in the past year.