The Importance of a Strong Workforce and Workplace Standards

Prevailing Wage Laws

The Davis-Bacon Act mandates payment of local prevailing wages on projects funded by the federal government. It prevents competition for federal construction contracts from artificially depressing local labor standards. Studies show, however that such a race to the bottom does not substantially cut public construction costs, as worker skills, experience and motivation drop in correlation to wage reductions.

Project Labor Agreements

One of the primary reasons that PLAs are utilized by business and labor is to coordinate the numerous construction workers under a single, umbrella contract for the project. PLAs are mainly used on large and complex construction and maintenance projects. For almost one hundred years, both public and private projects have used the PLA model for their original construction as well as maintenance.

Immigration

For far too long, U.S. immigration policy has been broken. Unscrupulous employers manipulate this broken system to exploit immigrant workers and drive down labor standards and wages in the construction industry. U.S. immigration policy must be overhauled and realistically realigned with future economic and workforce needs.

Health & Safety

The health and safety of building trades members, and all construction workers, on the jobsite is paramount. For nearly a century, NABTU has fought for the highest health and safety workplace standards in the construction industry.

Multiemployer Pension Plans

Multiemployer pension plans serve the needs of building trades workers in their hard-earned and well-deserved retirement. NABTU is committed to fighting to preserve the security and sustainability of these plans.