A Project Labor Agreement (PLA) is a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement that establishes the terms and conditions of employment for a specific construction project. PLAs set uniform wages and benefits across all crafts, define clear procedures for resolving disputes, and generally prohibit strikes and lockouts — keeping projects moving and workers protected.

The NWI Building & Construction Trades Council strongly supports PLAs on public and private construction projects throughout Northwest Indiana. When a PLA is in place, contractors gain access to a deep pool of highly trained, safety-certified tradespeople and benefit from consistent labor standards across the job site. Workers earn livable, middle-class wages and benefits that support families and strengthen our communities. Local hiring requirements built into PLAs keep construction dollars circulating right here in the region, and targeted provisions open career pathways for minority and disadvantaged workers. The result is projects delivered on time, on budget, and with fewer accidents — a genuine win for workers, contractors, and taxpayers alike.