Mandated Project Labor Agreements Will Cripple Long Island School Construction—And Taxpayers Will Pay the Price
The recently proposed legislation mandating Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on Long Island school construction projects is a direct threat to the local economy, workforce, and taxpayers. If enacted, these mandates will push already high construction costs even higher, delay critical school upgrades, and sideline the majority of skilled local workers.
Long Island school projects would join a long list of recent projects doomed by PLAs. Consider these cautionary tales:
- The SUNY Binghamton Lecture Hall renovation struggled to attract bidders due to its PLA requirements, leading to project delays and increased costs.
- The Dietz Stadium renovation in Kingston saw ballooning expenses, with project costs spiraling out of control after a PLA was imposed.
- The New York State Fairgrounds Expo Center was built under a PLA, ultimately costing far more than initially projected and taking longer to complete.
How PLAs Hurt Local Workers and Schools
PLAs require contractors to hire the majority of their workforce—typically three out of every four workers—from union halls. However, 80% of New York State construction workers are non-union, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means PLAs shut out most local, skilled, non-union tradespeople from working on school projects in their own communities.
With a limited labor pool, PLA projects are more prone to workforce shortages, leading to delays, cost overruns, and compromised quality. Even worse, rushed timelines and inexperienced workers unfamiliar with local job sites can lead to safety risks for students, staff, and construction crews alike.
PLAs Are a Taxpayer Burden—And the Data Proves It
Proponents of this PLA mandate continue to cite an outdated 2009 study to justify their position, conveniently ignoring more recent and relevant research that tells a very different story.
A 2020 study by the Beacon Hill Institute found that school construction projects in Connecticut built under PLAs cost $89.33 more per square foot—a 19.84% increase—compared to non-PLA projects. A similar 2019 study in New Jersey showed a 16.25% cost increase due to PLAs.
These aren’t hypothetical concerns. The numbers are clear: PLAs drive up construction costs—period.
A Perfect Storm of Rising Costs
The cost of construction is already skyrocketing due to inflation and tariffs on essential materials like steel, aluminum, and lumber. The Producer Price Index reports that construction material prices have increased by 20% since 2022—and New York, which relies heavily on imported materials from Canada, is feeling the impact even more.
Forcing school districts to build under PLAs will only worsen this affordability crisis, making it harder to complete desperately needed school improvements. Instead of getting more for their tax dollars, Long Island residents will get less—fewer schools, fewer renovations, and fewer classroom upgrades.
Our Schools Deserve Better
Long Island schools are already struggling with overcrowded classrooms and aging infrastructure. Instead of prioritizing the needs of students and teachers, this legislation advances a costly agenda that forces school districts to either scale back or abandon critical projects altogether.
Schools are the backbone of New York—not political bargaining chips. If lawmakers truly care about improving education, they must reject this PLA mandate and ensure school construction projects remain open, competitive, and cost-effective.