A Project Labor Agreement (PLA) on a California public works project is generally:
Explanation
Public Contract Code §2500 lets an awarding body use a project labor agreement so long as the agreement takes bids from union and non-union contractors alike, recognises the workers' right to choose representation, bars strikes and lockouts, sets a dispute procedure, and binds every contractor and subcontractor on the project. A PLA is therefore neither prohibited nor limited to federal work. Nor is it compulsory at any dollar figure: the choice belongs to the awarding body. Section 2503 goes the other way, conditioning state construction funding for charter cities that forbid project labor agreements.
Law Reference: Public Contract Code §2500; §2503This topic, taught in full in the CSLB Law & Business guide. CSLB Law & Business — Complete Study Guide (2026) — PDF + EPUB, $24.99 · 14-day refund →
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