Los Angeles Officials Sign Off on $1.5-Billion Project Labor Agreement for Port Projects
After months of negotiations, the Los Angeles City Council, Los Angeles Harbor Commission and labor leaders joined Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in signing a five-year Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for Port of Los Angeles construction projects beginning this fall.
According to port spokesman Phillip Sanfield, the PLA will serve as a blanket agreement between the Harbor Department and the laborers trade unions affiliated with the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council (LIUNA) working on the designated capital improvement projects. The PLA covers 95% of the port’s projected $1.5 billion five-year capital budget. Approximately 20,000 jobs are expected to be created in the region under the agreement, including at least 30% – totaling approximately 6,000 jobs – for local residents and 10% – or 2,000 jobs – for disadvantaged workers.