The Truth About Project Labor Agreements

The San Diego Union Tribune Editorial Board discussed how Chula Vista voters took a step towards “fixing the economy and getting people back to work” by passing Proposition G last week, which bans anti-competitive and costly government mandated project labor agreements (PLAs) on Chula Vista funded projects  (“A major defeat for labor,” 6/12).

There is no doubt how Chula Vista voters feel about fixing the economy and getting people back to work: They easily adopted the highest profile, and most bitterly debated, item on their ballot, Proposition G.That initiative bans Chula Vista from requiring union-only deals on municipal construction projects. The city may participate, however, in private/public deals where contractor firms voluntarily agree to project labor agreements. Proposition G passed 56 percent to 43 percent.

Organized labor spent heavily to try to defeat the measure and to confuse voters with Lewis Carroll-style “Through the Looking Glass” logic, arguing passage would stop all construction in Chula Vista.

The voters were not fooled, recognizing that union-only sweetheart deals push construction costs much higher and discourage some projects – remember Gaylord Entertainment’s hotel and convention center? – from even going forward.

Curiously, the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce got tangled up on the side of labor and opposed G, a measure that keeps construction hiring open to all and lowers costs for businesses. Curious and curiouser, you might say. The San Diego Chamber of Commerce was not fooled; it endorsed Proposition G.

Chula Vista voters deserve credit for taking a needed step in restoring accountability and efficiency in government and seeing through Big Labor’s campaign of lies and scare tactics utilized to defeat Prop G.