By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com
Baltimore has secured its first-ever project labor agreement (PLA), a historic deal aimed at ensuring union labor and local workforce participation on four major capital projects managed by the city and the Department of Public Works (DPW). Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced the agreement in a Dec. 22 release.
The PLA must be approved by the Board of Estimates and is scheduled to be heard by the body on Jan. 7.
“I am so proud to announce we’ve reached a consensus on Baltimore City’s first-ever project labor agreement. This is great for our workers, our union partners, DPW and our entire city,” said Scott in the release. “When it comes to projects that are as important as these, we want the best trained, most skilled labor on the job— and that’s union labor. I want to thank all of the folks who have worked with us for so long to finally make this happen.”
The four infrastructure projects of the PLA are the rehabilitation of the Dundalk Pumping Station, the Sparrows Point Alt Outfall, the Ashburton Pumping Station and the Quad Avenue Pumping Station. Under the deal, Baltimore and its contractors will prioritize hiring union workers. Local apprenticeship programs will also be expanded.
The agreement also includes provisions to improve worksite conditions, wages and safety, as well as mechanisms for addressing grievances and preventing construction delays. City officials say these measures will help ensure the projects are completed on time, on budget and to high-quality standards while expanding economic opportunities for local workers.
“The projects that are included are critically important, and they will require technical expertise and knowledge to complete. That means we need the best workforce that our city has to offer,” said Matthew Garbark, director of DPW, in a statement. “With this agreement in place, our union partners, our contractors and the city will all be working together to ensure these projects are delivered using skilled labor from Baltimore City and completed with the high quality that our residents deserve.”
Gregory Ackerman, president of the Baltimore-D.C. Metro Building Trades Council, which represents a coalition of local construction unions, also issued a statement on the PLA.
“Baltimore is growing, and reliable infrastructure is necessary to support the growth of the city. Union tradespeople are best to do this work to ensure the highest possible quality on vital city resources,” said a statement from Ackerman. “As the city undergoes a renaissance, building trades members are excited to be the hands that rebuild this city. This agreement builds on similar project labor agreements to build the Frederick Douglass Tunnel and to rebuild the Key Bridge. Our members build the infrastructure that makes life better and easier for everyone.”
