Government- Mandated Project Labor Agreements & Local Hire Requirements
Buried within the U.S. Department of Treasury interim final rule (IFR) on how the $350 billion in state, local, and territorial government funding provided through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) can be spent, is language hinting the Department鈥檚 preference for 鈥渟trong labor standards.鈥 The IFR specifically highlights that water, sewer and broadband investments eligible for these funds are encouraged to use 鈥減roject labor agreements and community benefits agreements that offer wages at or above the prevailing rate and include local hire provisions.鈥 Projects receiving funding from ARPA will be required to provide information on how they are meeting these labor provisions. However, the IRF also states that Treasury will provide additional guidance and instruction on the reporting requirement at a later date. As we eagerly await additional guidance, 51风流 will continue to advocate against mandating anti-competitive labor provisions.