The Prince George’s County Council voted unanimously on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, to enact CB-16-2011, legislation amending the County Code to require the use of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on County construction projects exceeding $1 million.    

Council Member Karen Toles (D) – District 7, sponsor of the legislation, comments on the historical significance of Council Bill 16-2011, and the opportunities it would ultimately create for Prince George’s County.  

“Until now, there has been no existing law for the use of PLAs on County construction projects in the state of Maryland.  Prince George’s County is the first to enact such monumental and necessary legislation, mandating that Prince George’s County residents be given priority for work on County construction projects.  Under CB-16, we will have regulations in place to put more Prince Georgians to work.”  

PLAs, pre-hire collective bargaining agreements with labor organizations in the construction industry, establish the terms and conditions of employment for specific construction projects.  The use of PLAs can provide structure and stability to large construction projects as well as ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing workplace safety and health, equal employment opportunity and labor and employment standards.  Additionally, PLAs facilitate employment and apprenticeship training opportunities for local workers allowing more residents to participate in County-funded projects.  

Under the legislation approved by the Council, the County will have a goal of at least one PLA project in FY 2012, and two PLA projects beginning FY 2013 and in each Fiscal Year thereafter.   The Office of Central Services will track the data and provide quarterly reports to the County Council on the Project Labor Agreement program to include but not limited to the average number of local residents currently hired on projects and the local residents hired under Project Labor Agreement projects.  

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All legislative powers of Prince George’s County are vested in the County Council.  TheCounty Council sits as the District Council on zoning and land use policy, and as the Board of Health to govern and guide health policy.  The County Council meets as a legislative body on Tuesdays in the Council Hearing Room on the first floor of the County Administration Building in Upper Marlboro.  For more information on the Prince George’s County Council, please visit www.princegeorgescountymd.gov