Wilson Praises Los Alamos for Abandoning Project Labor Agreement

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Wilson Praises Los Alamos For Abandoning Project Labor Agreement

Agreement would have stifled competition and forced workers into unions

Congresswoman Heather Wilson (R-NM) received notice today from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) that they have decided to not move forward with any plans for a project labor agreement (PLA) for future construction projects at the lab.

"I'm pleased that Los Alamos Lab has decided to no longer pursue a PLA on future construction projects. This decision benefits many small businesses and non-union laborers that often work at Los Alamos," Wilson said. "Los Alamos will continue to allow competitive bidding on its projects and keep jobs open to union and non-union contractors."

When the possibility that LANL might use PLA's became known late last year, Wilson took the lead and raised the matter directly with the leadership of the laboratory.

Wilson wrote a letter to Dr. Michael Anastasio, Director of Los Alamos urging him to reject a project labor agreement for construction projects at the lab. In the letter, Wilson outlined her concerns, and those of the business community, with a project labor agreement that would hurt non-union contractors in New Mexico.

"LANL has made the right choice for New Mexico. They are ensuring that construction projects are performed in an open competition environment where all construction firms, big or small, open shop or union, can be engaged," said Dawn Matson of the New Mexico Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors.

Over 90% of the construction workforce in New Mexico is non-union. This project labor agreement was opposed by the New Mexico Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, the Minority Business Association, and the Hispano Chamber of Commerce, as well as numerous individual contractors in New Mexico.

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