Prominent Voices
These prominent figures and organizations have spoken in favor of fair and open competition -- and warned of the folly of PLAs.
The Boston Globe Editorial Board, November 21, 2024
“Governor Healey’s short-sighted move on project labor agreements risks higher construction costs.”
"There is really no strong public policy rationale for PLAs."
Associated General Contractors of Massachuestts
“Massachusetts' public bidding laws are essential to this goal, protecting the public interest by fostering fair competition, promoting transparency, and ensuring that public contracts are awarded based on merit.
“Key statutes, such as the filed sub-bid laws and prevailing wage requirements, help maintain a level playing field across the industry. However, PLAs pose a significant risk to this balance by effectively excluding open shop contractors from bidding on public projects.”
“AGC MA Statement on PLAs,” April 29, 2025
Gov. Charlie Baker
"Massachusetts's public construction laws are amongst the most open and fair laws in the country with respect to construction procurement and workforce wages. These laws were implemented to create a level playing field for all contractors eligible to work on public construction projects. PLAs create barriers to entry that eliminate the equality of opportunity that is central to the Commonwealth's public construction process."
In a May 25, 2021, letter, vetoing a legislatively mandated PLA on construction of a new Holyoke Soldiers’ Home.
Black Economic Council of Massachusetts
“Our members have expressed frustration at being shut out time and time again from participating in construction projects that have PLAs due to these restrictive provisions.”
Segun Idowu, President and CEO, Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, as quoted April 29, 2021, by The Boston Globe.
Judge Michael K. Callan
“Notwithstanding the lip service the PLA pays to being open to all bidders, it most assuredly is not. The evidence before the court is that the PLA poses such a significant disadvantage to open shops as to render a competitive bid impossible ...
“... For all intents and purposes, the PLA excludes open shops from bidding, as it essentially requires bidders to execute an agreement to use union laborers on the Project...
“... Finally, the public interest is manifest. The public benefits from an open, fair, competitive and robust bidding process. The PLA requirement unnecessarily curtails that without legal justification.”
The Hon. Michael K. Callan, Justice of the Superior Court, May 16, 2024, in issuing a preliminary injunction against the use of a PLA by the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission.
“In the future, when faced with union lobbying for PLAs, elected officials and public decision-makers should cite Callan’s lucid ruling on the matter and say a firm and emphatic no.”
The Boston Globe Editorial Board,
May 28, 2024,
“Project labor agreements
are bad policy.”
