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Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades Council Releases Statement after Lawsuit is Announced by Associated Builders and Contractors

PLAs help ensure that construction projects are completed on-time and on-budget, with the best quality of labor and without delays and unexpected costs

Minneapolis, Minnesota (March 12, 2019) – A leading voice on behalf of construction workers denounced a lawsuit announced today by the Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors challenging Project Labor Agreements or PLAs. The Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades Council said in a statement.

“PLAs have been used successfully on many important high-profile projects in Minnesota: U.S. Bank Stadium and the 35 W Bridge just to name a few. We have a track record of building large economic impact projects on time and on budget and with a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state”, said Dan McConnell, the Trades Council’s business manager. “I know that previous PLAs have been upheld by the Supreme Court and the Minnesota Court of Appeals.”

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), an anti-union contractor group, is joined in this litigation with the Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF), a group that has taken anti-labor stances in the courts.

McConnell calls today’s lawsuit, which contends that PLAs are unconstitutional, as misguided.

“Anyone can bid on and work on these jobs under a PLA, both union and non-union,” said McConnell. “PLAs ensure a steady supply of high quality, well trained labor. Most of the major projects in Minnesota and around the country are done under PLAs and for good reason because they ensure the quality of labor you need and they ensure the work gets done on time and on or under budget. We help build communities and grow our economy.”

For further details and or to arrange separate interviews with the principals involved, contact publicist Robb Leer at 612.701.0608 or robbl@leercommunication.com.

About PLAs

Billions of dollars’ worth of sophisticated construction projects are built each year under professional standards using Project Labor Agreements or PLAs, including major projects in Minnesota. Examples include: U.S. Bank Stadium, 35W Bridge, TCF Bank Stadium, Target Field, Federal Courthouse, Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Hennepin County Government Center, Saint Paul Civic Center, Minneapolis Convention Center, Rochester Civic Center, Ramsey County Jail , University of Minnesota-Duluth, 188th Air Guard Maintenance Building, Mall of America, St Paul Technical College, Rondo Library, Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge, Federal Reserve Bank, School Districts including Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Duluth, Mounds View, Stillwater, and Anoka-Hennepin, Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth, Minnesota Department of Revenue Building and numerous hospital projects.

About Us:

The Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades Council advocates for unionized construction workers throughout Minneapolis and surrounding areas. Roughly 15,000 members strong, the Minneapolis Trades Council has provided leadership and advocacy for unionized construction workers for decades. For more information, visit: http://mplsbctc.org .

 

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