Toward the end of his term, former President Biden steered the construction industry in a dangerous direction when his administration issued a final rule mandating project labor agreements (PLAs) for federal projects. As the new administration took office, the industry had anticipated the return of fair and open competition, but unfortunately, the restrictions remain in place. To draw renewed attention to the matter, 116 congressional members sent two letters to the administration, writing:
"As members of Congress representing American construction workers, we respectfully request that you rescind the Biden administration's use of Project Labor Agreements for federal construction projects final rule. The rulemaking threatens the competitiveness of infrastructure bids, increases construction costs, and delays work on federal construction contracts procured by federal agencies."
APCA remains actively involved in the PLA pushback. Past President and CEO Roy Weaver of Weaver LLC and current President Kevin LaBauve of WHC Energy Services sent a letter to to these congressional leaders, praising their efforts to dismantle the rule. On behalf of the association, LaBauve and Weaver further expressed strong support for the Fair and Open Competition Act, bicameral legislation that would prevent the merit-shop construction industry from being excluded in what should be a competitive bidding process.
"America's economy and energy dominance cannot be successful without contributions from all qualified pipeline contractors and their skilled employees, regardless of whether they choose to affiliate with unions as a condition of building taxpayer-funded construction projects," Weaver and LaBauve wrote. "APCA is concerned that without strong opposition to anti-competitive and inflationary government-mandated PLAs from leaders like you and our industry stakeholders, the Trump administration and other policymakers may attempt to expand a pro-PLA posture to federally assisted projects and energy and pipeline construction projects."
APCA is ready to collaborate with Congress and the White House to overturn this harmful policy. Absent swift action, government-mandated PLAs will continue to sideline skilled, merit-shop contractors and delay critical infrastructure projects. But with renewed leadership and growing support in Congress, there is a real opportunity to restore fairness and keep building America.
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