November 24, 2015

Kilmer, Labor Secretary Perez Tour Naval Base Kitsap, Meet Local Labor Leaders and Discuss Growing Opportunities for Local Workers

Kitsap, WA – U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez toured Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor yesterday, and then met with local labor leaders for a roundtable discussion on growing opportunities for local workers. The conversation focused on the benefits of increasing the number of Project Labor Agreements (PLA) to put more skilled local workers on federal construction projects.

The visit follows a bipartisan call led by Kilmer to use PLAs, also known as community workforce agreements, more widely. PLAs have proven to be successful management tools that provide cost effective and timely completion of high-quality federal projects. In 2009, President Obama issued Executive Order 13502 to promote the use of PLAs in federal projects. Prior to the roundtable, Perez and Kilmer toured the future Bangor Explosive Handling Wharf, now under construction at Kitsap under a PLA.

“It was an honor to welcome Secretary Perez to the region to see how skilled workers are benefiting Naval Base Kitsap,” said Kilmer. “Our tour and discussion highlighted the value of Project Labor Agreements which can be a win for everybody.  They are a win for workers who see more opportunities to receive a good wage.  They're a win for taxpayers because projects are more likely to come in on time and on budget.  And they're a win for the local community because job opportunities are made available to local residents. I look forward to continuing to work with Secretary Perez to increase the use of this vital workforce tool.”

“Project labor agreements (PLAs) provide a great return on investment for communities looking to spur local economic development,” said Secretary Perez. “In addition to being proven project management tools that result in cost effective and efficient completion of federal projects, PLAs provide an opportunity for the local workforce to punch their ticket to the middle class through good-paying, high-skilled jobs. Advocates like Rep. Kilmer are leading the way to ensure we take PLAs to scale and increase their application in more federal contracts.”

In 2012, the Department of Defense announced that a PLA would be used to build a second explosives handling wharf at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor. Since that time, hundreds of local construction trade workers from across the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas have been employed as a result of this agreement.

PLAs are used to negotiate a contract between project managers and labor unions before workers are hired for a job. The agreements establish quality worksite conditions and aim to ensure construction finishes on time. Typically, priority is given to local workers on federal projects when PLAs are utilized.

In August, Kilmer led a bipartisan letter to Labor Secretary Perez calling on the White House to renew its efforts to increase the usage of PLAs through a task force the administration set up to maximize their use.

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