On March 11, 2025, Governor Maura Healey signed an executive order promoting the use of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) for large public works projects in Massachusetts.
This order requires executive department agencies to assess public construction projects with estimated costs exceeding $35 million to determine whether implementing a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) serves the project's and the community's best interests. Factors considered in this evaluation include the project's scope, complexity, schedule, site conditions, and the size and nature of the required workforce.
Kristen Gowin, Executive Director of the Greater Boston chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), expressed support for the executive order, stating that it represents a significant step toward ensuring high labor standards, workforce development, and project efficiency in Massachusetts. She emphasized that PLAs create stability, efficiency, and opportunity, benefiting workers, contractors, and communities alike.
The executive order comes at a time when PLAs are facing scrutiny and opposition from some quarters. Critics argue that requiring union labor through PLAs can limit the pool of potential bidders and potentially increase costs for taxpayers. However, proponents, including Governor Healey, contend that PLAs ensure a trained and ready workforce, promote good job opportunities for workers of all backgrounds, and can help keep projects on schedule and within budget. This initiative underscores the administration's commitment to leveraging PLAs as a tool to enhance the quality and efficiency of public construction projects while supporting a diverse and skilled workforce in Massachusetts.
Construction Dive- https://www.constructiondive.com/news/trump-executive-order-plas-unions/743292/