ABC urges President Trump to rescind the Biden-era policy and replace it with a new executive order that promotes fair and open competition and protects federal and federally assisted construction contracts from government-mandated PLAs, allowing merit shop contractors to have a fair chance to win work.
When PLAs are mandated by a government agency, construction contracts can be awarded only to contractors and subcontractors that agree to the terms and conditions of the PLA. While a record high 89.7% of the construction industry workforce does not belong to a union, the Biden administration promoted policies that restrict merit shop contractors around the country from competing to build and maintain America’s infrastructure. Additionally, eliminating controversial PLA mandates will save taxpayers an estimated $10 billion on public works projects annually.
The U.S. Department of Defense and General Services Administration halted PLA mandates on DOD and land port of entry projects earlier this year. However, following an April lawsuit by North America’s Building Trades Unions, a District of Columbia federal judge blocked the Trump administration from implementing the deviation for DOD and GSA projects. As a result, President Biden’s final rule mandating PLAs remains fully in effect for federal construction projects of $35 million or more.
ABC now calls on President Trump to issue a merit-based executive order that encourages all qualified contractors and their skilled workforces to compete to build long-lasting, quality projects at the best price.
We ask you to contact President Trump and urge him to sign an executive order to restore opportunities for all of the construction industry to build and rebuild America!