Project labor agreements (PLAs) that include community workforce provisions—including targeted hiring programs and apprenticeship-use requirements—are a functional tool to generate and ensure fair access to middle-class careers in the construction industry. These tools, called community workforce agreements (CWAs), are becoming increasingly common and appear to be an effective way to promote social investment and to create career opportunities for economically disadvantaged populations. More elected officials, private construction users, contractors and developers, building trades unions and community leaders should consider using these agreements, which clearly serve a public good.
Cornell University's ILR School recently conducted the first national study of PLAs and CWAs that reviewed the characteristics of these agreements, evaluated the nature and extent of their use and revealed their potential value to low-income communities. Previous research has extensively documented the benefits of PLAs in relation to cost efficiencies, workplace safety and dispute resolution. Our research focused on how CWAs provide social and economic benefits to women, minorities and poor and at-risk residents. For those committed to promoting fair and equitable access to lifetime careers in the unionized construction industry, CWAs represent a potentially powerful tool.