Voters Reject Union Favoritism

James Sherk / June 14, 2010

Two of the most important results from last Tuesday’s primary have been drowned out by the coverage of other races. Voters in Chula Vista, CA passed measure G by a 56 to 44 percent margin while voters in Oceanside, CA passed measure K by a 54 to 46 percent margin.  These measures prohibit discriminatory “project labor agreements” (PLAs) on city-funded construction projects.

A project labor agreement forces contractors to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement before starting work. In practice this means that work on PLA-covered projects goes to union members at union rates – nonunion workers need not apply. Unsurprisingly unions love PLAs and use their political influence to attach them to as many government construction projects as they can.

Of course paying union rates and shutting down competition from the 85 percent of construction workers who are not union members raises costs. The Beacon Hill Institute estimates that PLAs increase construction costs by 12 to 18 percent. Taxpayers face a hefty tab when the government sets construction projects aside for union members.

On Tuesday voters in Chula Vista and Oceanside decided enough was enough. By banning discriminatory project labor agreements they required their cities to spend their tax dollars wisely – no matter how much unions lobby for a sweetheart deal. If only the Federal government would do the same. (more…)