Washington Unified School District Reverses Discriminatory Apprentice Language
Besides Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) unions have for years tried to discriminate against merit shop firms by also sneaking in discriminatory apprenticeship language that explicitly excludes anything but union programs.
The latest example of this was at the Washington Unified School District where, in 2013, the board voted quietly to approve union-only language. After learning about this CFEC and our allies at WECA and ABC NorCal jumped into action and engaged in a full court press that has now led to the district changing the language back to a more neutral position.
Good news!
Educational PLA Threats
With more than $16 billion in school bonds passed in just the last election alone CFEC is monitoring closely the PLA threats posed to many of these bonds. Here are the latest:
Culver City School Board: On Monday, July 6, the school board in this Los Angeles area school district will be discussed the issue of PLAs. The District has a $106 million bond that was approved by voters in 2014. ABC SoCal's Dave Everett attended this meeting and reports back the board appears split. We will keep you updated on this threat.
Azusa Unified School District: We have learned that this district has now had a presentation on PLAs. CFEC will look further into this threat. Stay tuned.
Salinas Union High School District: Having approved PLA "negotiations" with local unions, this school board really had no idea what they have gotten themselves into. Tired of hearing from naysayers and those who dare to oppose this big labor scheme, pro-PLA board members had another headache recently when the head of the local Chamber of Commerce let them know what he thinks of this deal. Let's keep the pressure on!
Chula Vista Elementary School District: The San Diego Union Tribune reminds voters that this school district, which recently voted to approve PLA "negotiations", once promised voters they would never approve a PLA.
East Bay Municipal Utility District Approves PLA Pilot Projects
East Bay MUD has now approved a "local hire" pilot policy for 4 large projects including the Chabot Seismic Dam Upgrade, which also contains a PLA. At the same time EBMUD produced a devastating contractor survey on PLAs that shows what a terrible idea they are. Makes sense.
After eight years Sunroad's 175 room limited service Harbor Island Hotel project goes before the California Coastal Commission next month. A Port Master Plan Amendment and EIR have already been approved by the San Diego Unified Port District and the Coastal Commission is the only remaining regulatory hurdle. Unfortunately the owner of this project is considering a PLA so as to get around the union friendly California Coastal Commission. CFEC is currently creating a strategy to deal with this PLA threat so stay tuned!
