Don’t Make Long Island School Construction Unaffordable

Proposed legislation (S.1672/A.756) mandating Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on Long Island school construction would increase costs and hinder critical upgrades to our classrooms.

A PLA dictates who a contractor can hire—typically requiring that 3 out of 4 workers come from union halls. But 80% of Long Island’s construction workforce is nonunion, meaning most local workers would be shut out of these projects. That leads to two major problems: higher costs due to reduced competition and workforce shortages on already tight timelines.

Studies from Connecticut and New Jersey show PLAs increase school construction costs by up to 19% per square foot. With Long Island schools already facing overcrowded classrooms and aging infrastructure, this mandate would make necessary upgrades far more expensive—forcing districts to scale back or cancel projects.

Adding to the strain are rising material costs. Inflation and tariffs on essential materials like steel and lumber have driven up construction prices nationwide. Imposing a PLA mandate now would only worsen the burden on taxpayers.

This bill would hurt students, local workers, and school budgets. Lawmakers must reject PLA mandates and ensure that school construction remains accessible, affordable, and focused on creating better learning environments for Long Island’s children.