Thousands of Trade Jobs Expected in L.A. County With New Labor Agreement

Supporters of the Countywide Project Labor Agreement, with Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Janice Hahn front and center. [Image courtesy Office of Kathryn Barger]

Los Angeles County will execute a first-of-its-kind agreement with trade and union entities that is expected to bring thousands of trade and skilled labor jobs to the region.

The County Board of Supervisors approved a motion authored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn on Tuesday that will result in creating the Countywide Project Labor Agreement (PLA).

The PLA will ensure that county-funded construction projects worth more than $500,000 will hire workers from local and disadvantaged communities, provide apprenticeships and job training opportunities, and promote fair wages and benefits.

“This motion will build up the future of the County’s workforce so we can offer good paying and stable careers for the next generation of skilled labor and trade workers,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said.

Supervisor Janice Hahn said the PLA is “the most important workforce development policy our county has done in decades.”

Chris Hannan, Executive Secretary of the Los Angeles and Orange Counties Building Trades Council, thanked the Board for their leadership and said the PLA will “change lives for generations to come.”

The PLA has been negotiating for six years and covers projects such as affordable housing, transportation infrastructure, public safety facilities, libraries, parks, and health centers.

The agreement is expected to take effect in July 2023.