The objective of the memo is to create good-paying jobs, with the choice to join a union, for workers in traditionally underserved communities, according to a joint statement from DOL and DOT released this week. But it also said it would favor union partnerships and project labor agreements in grant decisions.
PLAs are similar to collective bargaining agreements but apply to a single project and are agreed upon by all parties: general contractors, subcontractors and labor groups. Last month, President Joe Biden issued an executive order mandating PLAs on federal contracts of $35 million or more.
