In a move aimed to enhance labor participation and job quality for local projects, Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott has announced the city's inaugural project labor agreement (PLA), a partnership with the Baltimore-D.C. Metro Building Trades Council. This landmark PLA, as described in a statement from the City of Baltimore Mayor's Office, is set to improve workers' conditions and propel Baltimore's working families to the forefront of the city's rejuvenation efforts.
"I am so proud to announce we've reached a consensus on Baltimore City's first-ever Project Labor Agreement," Mayor Brandon M. Scott was quoted, emphasizing the benefits for city workers, union partners, and the whole community. Ensuring that the critical rehabilitation projects for water infrastructure are entrusted to highly skilled union labor reflects the city's commitment to quality and efficiency. As part of the PLA, union workers will predominantly be hired to execute four DPW projects, which include vital pumping station rehabilitations.
Director Matthew Garbark of the Department of Public Works shared his anticipation for the positive ripple effects the PLA could create. He mentioned, per the city's press release, "With this Agreement in place, our union partners, our contractors, and the City will all be working together to ensure these projects are delivered using skilled labor from Baltimore City and completed with the high quality that our residents deserve." The projects covered under this PLA aim not just to deliver timely results but also to address working conditions, wages, and skills development for Baltimore's labor force.
Furthermore, this agreement will position Baltimore's residents to directly benefit from the city's growth through local recruitment, training, and hiring initiatives. The Building Trades Council's Raising the Bar Apprenticeship Readiness Program will operate in conjunction with the Mayor's Office of Employment Development (MOED) to expand apprenticeship opportunities, which are crucial for addressing the anticipated increase in labor demand.
The Project Labor Agreement, pending approval from the Board of Estimates at a meeting scheduled for January 7th, 2026, marks a significant transformation in the stewardship of the city's capital projects. Should the Board give its consent, Mayor Scott will be ready to sign, alongside agency heads and union officials, setting a precedent for project labor agreements in Baltimore and demonstrating a model for similar agreements in the future.
