Alameda Co. Announces First-Ever Countywide Project Agreement with Local Building Trades Unions

On Tuesday, June 10, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors approved the first ever Countywide Project Stabilization Agreement (PSA) for county construction projects.  The PSA, a detailed agreement between the county and the Building and Construction Trades Council and its affiliated unions took effect immediately. The new agreement is expected to promote efficient and safe construction, grow good paying jobs, and support the local economy.

Supervisor Wilma Chan, who chaired the Countywide Project Stabilization Task Force, said, “This is an important step to grow our local economy and promote the creation of good jobs in Alameda County.   I’m glad that the first project to utilize this agreement will be the San Lorenzo Library expansion.  This will save money, employ county residents, and get us to completion faster.”

Board President Supervisor Keith Carson said “The Project Stabilization/Community Benefits Agreement is the result of input from the diversity of stakeholders in Alameda County and provides a framework for the County to successfully complete the array of capital projects essential for our future growth and development.”

Supervisor Nate Miley, a member of the PSA Task Force, said, “This is the outcome of an unprecedented collaboration between the county, the construction trades, and local leaders.  We all agreed that bringing good-paying jobs to Alameda County was our priority, and we went to work from there.”

Replicating a model utilized successfully by school districts, cities, ports, and college districts, the PSA provides a universal working agreement between the county and its construction partners in the labor community.  It outlines the expectations and benefits for county-funded construction projects.  It also outlines how the county can leverage its multiple agencies and programs to promote the training and hiring of veterans and disadvantaged community members living below the poverty line to good paying jobs.

Secretary-Treasurer Andreas Cluver of Building and Construction Trades Council of Alameda County, representing 28 affiliated local unions said, “We know this agreement will create a critical pipeline for County residents to access stable and good-paying jobs in construction in Alameda County.  Now, projects will get completed even more efficiently, and we will access a talented and willing local labor force to get things done.  This keeps the money circulating in our community.”

The PSA will cover construction projects underwritten by the county of $1 million or more.   The PSA covers a wide range of topics including local hiring requirements, wages, benefits, and the promotion of apprenticeship programs.  The agreement is signed by the Building and Construction Trades of Alameda County and its 28 affiliated unions.

Supervisor Richard Valle said, “The PSA promotes greater apprenticeship program participation.  This will lead to more families having access to good-paying middle class jobs – and they will be building essential county infrastructure to help entire communities.”

Supervisor Scott Haggerty added, “I am especially pleased that the PSA promotes the ‘Helmets to Hard Hats’ initiative to train our veterans in skilled construction labor.  It’s great to be able to put these heroes to work in our communities.”

The annual Alameda County construction budget is $1.2 billion.