Union Ironworkers are in full support of the recently released study titled Project Labor Agreements in New York State: In the Public Interest by Fred B. Kotler, the Associate Director of the Construction Industry Program at the Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Union Ironworkers stand behind the results of the independent study affirming that a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) as an effective construction management tool for quality construction.

"The use of PLAs on construction projects has successfully ensured work for ironworkers who are well-trained and capable of completing projects in a timely manner. Our proud union fully supports the use of PLA's and will continue to do our part with other building trades as we coordinate our work and fulfill our requirements based on these agreements," said Joseph Hunt, general president of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers.

According to Kotler's study, PLAs "provide job stability and prevent costly delays by providing a uniform contract expiration date . guaranteeing no-strikes and no-lockouts, providing alternative dispute resolution procedures . and assuring that contractors get immediate access to a pool of well-trained and highly-skilled workers through union referral procedures."

In 2008, Ironworkers and other building trade unions successfully completed 34 PLA projects throughout the country. Between 2004 and 2008 103 PLA projects were completed. These projects represent a significant amount of man hours as well as coordination among the fourteen building trade unions to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.