Today, Governor Phil Murphy conditionally vetoed the following bill: S1370/A2607 (Sweeney, Scutari,

Greenstein/DeAngelo, Egan, Giblin, Verrelli).

The so-called PLA bill revises the definition of “public works projects” to permit project labor agreements for more projects.

The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Nick Scutari in March.

It’s written to would extend the use of project labor agreements to more types of public building projects. The bill, S-1370, would extend PLAs to projects for highways, bridges, pumping stations, or water and sewage treatment plants.

“These agreements result in higher quality of work and safer conditions for workers,” said Sweeney. “They also help ensure that projects are completed on time, which prevents delays and extra expenses. They are good for workers and the taxpayers.”

A project labor agreement is an agreement that a public entity, or the contractors it hires to perform a public works project, enters into with labor unions that sets labor and employment terms for the project.

“These agreements help ensure that large, complex projects are completed on time and on schedule,” said Scutari. “PLAs enable project managers to control costs and ensure that safety standards are maintained.”