TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 4, 2018
COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
Mr. John P. Murray, Acting Executive Director
Title
Authority to enter into a Project Labor Agreement with the Will & Grundy Counties Building Trades Council and the Three Rivers' Construction Alliance for the Lockport Powerhouse and Lockport Controlling Works to cover qualifying construction projects
Body
Dear Sir:
Having recognized the public’s interest in timely construction and labor stability, for many years qualifying District construction projects have used a Multi-Project Labor Agreement (MPLA) entered into with the Chicago and Cook County Building and Construction Trades Council, Teamsters Joint Council No. 25, or their union affiliates that become signatories (collectively “Council”). The District and Council have operated cooperatively under the terms and conditions of the MPLA to the benefit of all parties working on District construction projects. Given the number of projects in Cook County, an agreement governing multiple projects at all District owned properties in Cook County was deemed necessary by all concerned parties in the interest of efficiency.
Since the District strives to achieve timely construction and labor stability on its construction projects, and recognizing that the public’s interest is the same with projects outside of Cook County, the District now requests authority to enter into a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with the Will & Grundy Counties Building Trades Council and the Three River’s Construction Alliance (collectively “Alliance”) for the Lockport Powerhouse and Lockport Controlling Works for any qualifying construction contracts. Because there are a limited number of qualifying projects outside of Cook County, the Alliance has indicated that it prefers to enter into a PLA specifically covering the Lockport Powerhouse and Lockport Controlling Works rather than entering into an MPLA as was done in Cook County or a separate PLA for each construction project in Will County. This preferred course of action is also in the best interest of the District. Therefore, having one PLA governing all qualifying construction projects at the Lockport Powerhouse and Lockport Controlling Works has been deemed appropriate by all concerned parties. Attached is the PLA.
It is requested that the Acting Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize the District to enter into a Project Labor Agreement with Will & Grundy Counties Building Trades Council and the Three Rivers’ Construction Alliance that is applicable to qualifying construction projects at the Lockport Powerhouse and Lockport Controlling Works.
It is further requested that the Acting Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize and direct the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Clerk to execute the Project Labor Agreement after it is approved by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel, STM:MTC:kk
Recommended, John P. Murray, Acting Executive Director
Respectfully Submitted, Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, Chairman Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for October 4, 2018
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