HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/10/2018 Item 13, Andre
Purrington, Teresa
From:Nick Andre <nick@sloprogressives.org>
Sent:Tuesday, July
To:E-mail Council Website
Cc:Quinn Brady
Subject:Regarding Agenda Item on Project Labor Agreements
Dear City Council,
The SLO County Progressives would like to convey its support for a project labor agreement on the WRRF Project. Below
is a resolution adopted by our organization:
Resolution Supporting a Community Workforce Agreement for the San Luis
Obispo Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) Project
WHEREAS, The City of San Luis Obispo intends to perform major upgrades, construct
new facilities, expand load handling capabilities and modernize its Waste Water facility
located at Prado Road in the City of San Luis Obispo; and
WHEREAS, the WRRF project represents a major undertaking, valued at more than $100
million dollars, complex in scope, which will require numerous construction firms and
hundreds of skilled trades workers over approximately a two year construction period
representing significant employment opportunities for the skilled trades workers in the
area; and
WHEREAS, contracts for the Project will be awarded in accordance with the applicable
provisions of local, state and federal laws, including State Public Contract Code and Davis-
Bacon and State Prevailing Wage Requirements, state and federal regulations, as well as
the terms of the financing agreement with the State Water Board’s Clean Water State
Revolving Fund; and
WHEREAS, the City has the absolute right to select the lowest responsive and responsible
bidder for the award of construction contracts on the Project; and
WHEREAS, it is recognized that on a Project of this magnitude with multiple contractors
and bargaining units on the job site at the same time over an extended period of time, the
potential for work disruption is substantial without an overriding commitment to maintain
continuity of work; and
WHEREAS, the interests of the general public, the City, the Unions and the Contractor
would be best served if the construction work proceeds in an orderly manner without
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disruption because of strikes, sympathy strikes, work stoppages, picketing, lockouts,
slowdowns or other interference's with work; and
WHEREAS, this organization places high priority upon the development of comprehensive
programs for the recruitment, training and employment of local area residents,
and recognizes the potential of local apprenticeship programs to provide meaningful and
sustainable careers in the building and construction industry; and
WHEREAS, the cities goal of completing the project in the most efficient and safest
manner possible with a highly skilled and trained workforce depends on access to a reliable
pool from which to draw craft-workers; and
WHEREAS, a Community Workforce Agreement is a proven framework which provides all
the necessary components to safely complete the highest quality work on time and on
budget while also maintaining non discriminatory opportunities for all workers and all
employers to bid and work on the project; and
WHEREAS, the setting of local hire goals, support of women, small business, minorities
and veterans programs are a standard part of a Community Benefits Agreement; and
WHEREAS, a Community Workforce Agreement and agreements like it are increasingly
used for major construction projects throughout California because they represent the only
avenue to ensure local workers and apprentices who reside in the surrounding area of the
project are actually provided opportunity to work on the project and that those workers
won't have to rely on public assistance but will have access to a comprehensive system of
multi employer benefits like health care and retirement; and
WHEREAS, without a Community Workforce agreement, out of area or out of state
contractors can import workers and disregard the local workforce causing vital
discretionary dollars earned by the workers on the project to leave the area and hurt the
local economy; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SLO COUNTY PROGRESSIVES
THAT:
The SLO COUNTY PROGRESSIVES does hereby proclaim its official support of a Community
Workforce Agreement for the WRRF project and we urge the San Luis Obispo City Council
to formally enter into an agreement with the Tri Counties Building and Construction Trades
Council that will, among other things contain strong language in support of local workers
and apprentices.
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