New Project Labor Agreement Law Gives NJ Construction Workers Better Benefits

The Union County Board of Commissioners has approved lowering the threshold for project labor agreement requirements from $5 million to $3 million, expanding the use of labor agreements on additional public construction projects throughout Union County.

The change was made in response to a state law mandate enacted earlier in 2026. Project labor agreements are pre-hire collective bargaining agreements between project owners and labor unions that establish employment terms and conditions for construction projects, including wages and benefits.

"Union County has always stood with working men and women, and lowering the threshold for our Project Labor Agreement requirements from $5 million to $3 million reflects that commitment," said Union County Board of Commissioners Chairman Joseph Bodek. "This change expands opportunities for our local skilled trades, strengthens labor standards, and ensures more county projects are built by the highly trained workforce that residents expect and deserve."

Union County Life covers government decisions, civic policy, and infrastructure updates across all 21 Union County municipalities.

Project labor agreements help maintain job stability, keep project schedules on track, and assist in finding qualified workers for projects. They help public agencies predict actual project costs more accurately and aim to lower costs for repairs and maintenance over the lifetime of completed projects.

According to Union County Counsel Bruce Bergen, the county uses project labor agreements on all projects to which state law applies. The agreements will not affect the bidding process for county projects and likely will not affect state aid or money the county receives from capital bond ordinances.

Under the new state law, project labor agreements promote harmonious and productive work environments for public works projects and guarantee that projects are carried out in an orderly and timely manner without strikes, lockouts, or slowdowns.

"Lowering the Project Labor Agreement threshold to $3 million is a smart investment in Union County's workforce and taxpayers," said William Mullen, president of the New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council. "We commend the Commissioners for their leadership and commitment to delivering high-quality public infrastructure projects for residents."

The decision reflects Union County's commitment to ensuring that taxpayer-funded construction projects meet high standards of labor stability and workforce quality.

More information about Union County's project labor agreement policy can be obtained from the Union County Board of Commissioners or the Union County website.

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FAQ

Q: What is a project labor agreement?
A: A project labor agreement is a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement between project owners and labor unions that establishes employment terms and conditions for construction projects, including wages, benefits, working hours, and workplace rules.

Q: What changed in Union County's project labor agreement policy?
A: Union County lowered the threshold for requiring project labor agreements from $5 million to $3 million. This expands the use of labor agreements to additional public construction projects.

Q: Why did Union County make this change?
A: The change was made in response to a state law mandate enacted earlier in 2026. The state law expands the use of project labor agreements statewide.

Q: What are the benefits of project labor agreements?
A: Project labor agreements help maintain job stability, keep project schedules on track, assist in finding qualified workers, promote labor stability and efficiency, and help public agencies predict project costs more accurately. They also aim to lower long-term maintenance and repair costs.

Q: Will the new policy affect bidding for county projects?
A: No. According to Union County Counsel Bruce Bergen, the project labor agreement policy will not affect the bidding process for county projects.

Q: Will the new policy affect state aid or county bond money?
A: No. The policy will likely not affect state aid or money the county receives from capital bond ordinances.

Q: How do project labor agreements prevent labor disruptions?
A: Project labor agreements include no-strike provisions and procedures to resolve jurisdictional disputes between unions. This helps guarantee that projects are carried out in an orderly manner without strikes, lockouts, or slowdowns.

Q: Which counties in New Jersey have lowered their project labor agreement thresholds?
A: Union County has approved lowering its threshold to $3 million. Other counties may have made similar changes in response to the state law mandate.