[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 178 (Thursday, December 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2340-E2341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                STUDIES ENDORSE PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2001

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I wish to bring the 
results of two recent studies on the value of project labor agreements 
(PLAS) to the attention of my colleagues.
  The California Research Bureau, a nonpartisan confidential research 
arm of the Governor's office and the state legislature concluded that 
project labor agreements are ``valued by owners and construction firms 
alike [because of] the role PLAs play in resolving disputes over roles 
contractors and subcontractors play in large and complex projects.'' 
The CRB report also credited PLAs for promoting local economic 
development, workforce training, and employment goals for women and 
minorities.
  The UCLA Institute for Labor and Employment has also recently 
released a study that found that PLAs do not increase labor costs, do 
not exclude non-union workers, encourage competition, promote 
stability, cooperation and productivity, and reduce the likelihood of 
work stoppages or delays.
  Mr. Speaker, these studies merely confirm what has long been 
understood by those involved in private and public sector construction 
who are not otherwise driven by ideology: Project labor agreements 
promote the timely completion of construction projects and increase 
productivity. They are good for business. They also promote 
apprenticeship training and help secure better working conditions. They 
are good for workers.

[[Page E2341]]

  Unfortunately, among those who are most driven by ideology is the 
Bush Administration.
  According to the December 13, 2001 issue of The Washington Post, 
Maryland has been forced by the Bush Administration to proceed with the 
enormous Wilson Bridge construction project without the ability to use 
a project labor agreement. I am sure that my colleagues recall that 
last February, shortly after taking office, President Bush tried to ban 
project labor agreements for any construction project receiving federal 
money. In a decision that specifically involved the Wilson Bridge 
project, a federal judge ruled in November that the ban issued by 
President Bush violated federal law and the Constitution. Following the 
decision, the Maryland State Highway Administration again sought 
permission from the Federal Highway Administration to implement a 
project labor agreement. But according to the Post, the Federal Highway 
Administration rejected Maryland's request saying the state had not 
proved the need for a PLA.
  By effectively prohibiting the use of a project labor agreement on 
the Wilson Bridge project, the Bush Administration continues to thwart 
good business practice and good labor policy to the detriment of 
taxpayers and continues to deny working Americans the protections they 
are entitled to under law. I commend to my colleagues' and the 
administration's attention the reports concerning project labor 
agreements by the California Research Bureau and the UCLA Institute for 
Labor and Employment, and I sincerely hope that the Administration 
reconsiders its unwise hostility for these proven agreements that 
benefit business, taxpayers, workers and the public in general.

                          ____________________