At an event today, President Joe Biden outlined a new executive order (EO) designed to ensure Project Labor Agreements (PLAs)—collective bargaining agreements covering all of the craft workers on a construction project that provide comprehensive guidance and set mutual expectations for large projects—are required for federally funded projects over $35 million dollars. PLAs are considered the gold standard of labor provisions by most building trades unions.

Following the announcement, the BlueGreen Alliance released a statement from Executive Director Jason Walsh.

“PLAs ensure fair wages, safer working conditions, and that the job gets done right. By making sure we are attracting and retaining skilled workers, we can avoid delays and bid overruns and protect taxpayer money with better project outcomes—including safeguarding the environment.

“President Biden has shown time and again he understands how vital it is for the future of our nation that workers have a voice on the job. This EO is another example of that. We applaud this latest action and look forward to growing good, union jobs from the investments America is making through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other efforts, like the Build Back Better Act.”