RI Lawmakers Join Ceremonial Bill Signing To Support Construction Best Practices

PROVIDENCE, RI — State lawmakers joined dozens of laborers from Rhode Island unions as Gov. Dan McKee held a ceremonial bill signing for two construction-related bills at the site of the future Pawtucket High School, the location of the former McCoy Stadium.

State Rep. John G. Edwards, D-Tiverton, state Rep. Evan P. Shanley, D-Warwick and East Greenwich, and state Sen. John P. Burke, D-West Warwick, participated in the ceremonial signing.

Shanley and Burke "put in place many best practices for Project Labor Agreements (PLA) for large-scale projects, including promoting apprenticeships, preventing work stoppages, and supporting labor harmony," according to the release, and bill sponsored by Burke were "designed to promote public-private partnerships (P3) in Rhode Island to make the rules for entering into these kinds of agreements clear for everyone involved."

“Project labor agreements go a long way toward promoting the reliable supply of skilled and qualified labor,” Shanley said in the release.

“We’ve seen that projects constructed under these agreements in Rhode Island are well-constructed, built safely, on time, and on budget. They tend to attract experienced, reliable contractors who bring a level of professionalism and responsibility to the jobs.”

“Supporting Rhode Island workers is an absolute top priority for me, and I was proud to sponsor the legislation being celebrated today," Burke said in the release.

"These measures will ensure our state is more fully utilizing the quality and expertise provided by union labor, enable creative solutions for our state’s infrastructure needs, open up new career pathways, and support working families," Burke said. "I am grateful to everyone whose support and hard work helped pass these bills into law."

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