Iowa Gov. Chet Culver Feb. 3 signed Executive Order 22 that encourages state agencies to consider executing project labor agreements (PLAs) on state construction projects costing at least $25 million.
“In the face of sagging poll numbers, Gov. Culver issued an order that is nothing more than a political handout to big labor at the expense of taxpayers,” said Mike McCoy, ABC of Iowa chairman. “There is no question that PLAs increase construction costs. Studies conducted on a project here in Iowa found PLAs to be an unnecessary burden on local workers and taxpayers.”
E.O. 22 is reminiscent of President Obama’s Executive Order 13502 issued in February 2009 that encourages the use of PLAs on federal construction projects. Iowa is the fifth state to require or encourage the use of PLAs on state construction through either an executive order or enacted legislation, but the first to do so since President Obama issued E.O. 13502.
For more information, contact
Hollie.Dugan@abciowa.org.