Resolution 2026-05 in Support of the Use of Community Workforce Agreements (CWA's) and Project Labor Agreements (PLA's) to Grow Middle Class Careers in Pierce County

Resolution in Support of the Use of Community Workforce Agreements (CWA's) and Project Labor Agreements (PLA's) to Grow Middle Class Careers in Pierce County

Resolution 2026-05

WHEREAS, a rising unemployment rate and diverse regional economy that continues to recover from the economic impacts of a global pandemic, poverty and underemployment are growing in Pierce County and the cost of living is rapidly outpacing wages. These difficult economic conditions have historically and continue to disparately impact communities of color and others with social and economic disadvantages; and

WHEREAS, the South Sound Building & Construction Trades Council and its affiliate members have been associated with the Pierce County Central Labor Council (PCCLC) for more than 70 years; and

WHEREAS, the South Sound Building & Construction Trades Council and its affiliate members represent approximately 5,000 +/- skilled construction workers in Pierce County; and

WHEREAS, Community Workforce Agreements (CWA’S) and Project Labor Agreements (PLA’S) promote access to construction careers for women, people of color, veterans, and other social and economic disadvantages. CWA’s and PLA’s also establish a spirit of harmony and stability between Labor and Management to ensure timely completion of projects, and promote a well-trained workforce that earns family-supporting wages and employer-sponsored health and retirement benefits, which contributes to the economic prosperity of communities; and

WHEREAS, CWAs have been implemented by the City of Seattle, Seattle Public Schools, the Port of Seattle and King County, Institutions of Higher Education, Sound Transit, and the Washington State Department of Transportation, among many other entities nationwide; and

WHEREAS, the PCCLC requires the use of Union Goods and Services where available; and

WHEREAS, the PCCLC has a long history support of Registered Apprenticeship programs and increasing access to Union Careers; and

WHEREAS the PCCLC regularly endorses Initiatives, Bonds, and Levy Campaigns for consideration by the voters including school levies; now therefore be it

RESOLVED the PCCLC will take a position that Community Workforce Agreements and Project Labor Agreements should be utilized on all significant construction projects in Pierce County to help open the door to the middle class through careers in the Building & Construction Trades for underserved populations; and

BE IT FURTHERRESOLVED the PCCLC will take every opportunity available to support Community Workforce Agreements and Project Labor Agreements in order to provide training opportunities and access to careers in the Building Trades for historically under-represented groups and economic opportunities that flow from the expenditure of public works dollars to provide workforce development and economic opportunity to those residents who need it the most in our communities; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, the PCCLC will require any initiative, bond issue, or levy campaign presented for endorsement to have in place a Community Workforce Agreement or a Project Labor Agreement with the South Sound Building & Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO having jurisdiction in Pierce County, as a condition of endorsement.