What Is a Project Labor Agreement?
Definition: A project labor agreement (PLA) is a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement negotiated with one or more construction unions that sets the terms and conditions of employment for a specific construction project. All contractors and subcontractors on the project, including scaffold contractors, agree to be bound by its terms. Contractors listed with this qualification have experience working under PLAs.
PLAs are designed to bring labor stability to large, complex, or time-sensitive projects. A typical PLA establishes uniform wages and benefits, hiring procedures through union referral systems, standard work hours and shift rules, and procedures for resolving disputes. Most include no-strike and no-lockout commitments for the life of the project, which owners value on high-stakes work.
PLAs are used on public infrastructure, government buildings, transit systems, airports, stadiums, and large private developments. In the U.S., federal construction projects of $35 million or more generally require PLAs under Executive Order 14063, and many states and cities use them on public work. Both union and open-shop contractors may be able to bid PLA projects, but all must agree to follow the agreement's terms on that project. Through Scaffold Exchange, you can find scaffold contractors experienced with PLA projects.
What a Project Labor Agreement Typically Covers
Every PLA is negotiated for its project, but most address the following areas.
Wages & Benefits
Uniform wage rates and fringe benefit contributions for each craft working on the project.
Hiring & Referral Procedures
How workers are referred and hired, often through union hiring halls, with provisions for core employees.
No-Strike & No-Lockout
Commitments that prevent strikes, slowdowns, and lockouts for the duration of the project.
Hours, Shifts & Work Rules
Standard work hours, shift schedules, overtime, holidays, and craft jurisdiction rules.
Dispute Resolution
Procedures for resolving grievances and jurisdictional disputes without stopping work.
Where Project Labor Agreements Are Common
Scaffold contractors with PLA experience are often needed on projects such as the following.
Large federal construction projects
State and municipal public works
Transit, airports, and infrastructure
Stadiums and arenas
Hospitals and university campuses
Power plants and energy projects
Large private industrial projects
Major mixed-use developments
How Project Agreements Compare to Other Contractor Types
Labor structure is one way to qualify a scaffold contractor for a project. Here is how the options compare.
Union scaffold contractor
- Signatory to ongoing union agreements
- Crews from union hiring halls
- Union apprenticeship training
- Best for union-required projects
Non-union scaffold contractor
- Hires and employs workers directly
- No standing union agreements
- May join PLAs on specific projects
- Best for open-shop projects
Project labor agreements
- Works under project-specific agreements
- Terms apply to one project
- Common on large public and private work
- Best for PLA-covered projects
Union and open-shop companies
- Two separate companies, common ownership
- One union, one open shop
- Must operate independently
- Best for owners with mixed labor needs
Credentialed scaffold crews
- Crews hold recognized certifications
- Applies under any labor structure
- Training and experience documented
- Best for verifying builder skill
Find PLA-Experienced Scaffold Contractors Near You
Use the Scaffold Exchange map to search by location, filter by qualification, and connect directly with scaffold contractors experienced working under project labor agreements.
OSHA Compliance & Safety Standards
A project labor agreement sets employment terms but does not replace OSHA requirements. Under 29 CFR 1926.20, construction employers must maintain safety programs with regular inspections of job sites, materials, and equipment by competent persons. Many PLAs also include project-wide safety provisions, such as required orientation and cooperation with the owner's safety program, which every contractor on the project must follow.
- Contractor safety program in place
- Regular inspections by competent persons
- Scaffold training for all crews
- Project safety orientation completed
- PLA safety provisions followed
- Owner and GC safety requirements met
1926.20
General Safety and Health Provisions — U.S. Construction Regulations
OSHA Interpretations & Rulings →