Is it a correct interpretation of the PLA that non-union testing labs cannot work on this project?
All testing and inspection field technicians on this project will need to be bound by the terms of the applicable Master Labor Agreement per the PSA.
We are a member of the local 12 union but we are located in Huntington Beach. Will preference be given to local firms or will being a member of local 12 help us as we can draw personnel from that?
International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 12 is signatory to the OUHSD Project Stabilization Agreement. As such, IUOE 12 is a designated source of craft workers for this project.
Based on our review of the PSA, it appears that the Master Labor Agreement requires all technicians and materials inspectors to be union members, despite what it says in Article 7.
PSA Article 2.2 is applicable, as excerpted below:
“This agreement shall include the classifications of Building/Construction Inspector and Field Soils and Material Testers (collectively “Inspectors”) as a covered craft under this Agreement. This inclusion applies to the scope of work defined in the State of California Prevailing Wage Determination for said craft. Every on-site Inspector performing work under these classifications pursuant to a professional service agreement or a construction contract shall be bound to all applicable requirements of this Agreement.”
Employers and employees are not required to join a Union (PSA Article 7), however non-union firms are bound to the provisions of the applicable Master Labor Agreements, the same as Union members and firms, while working on this project.