Port of Los Angeles PLA to Bring Thousands of Jobs
By Chuck Harvey, Contributing Writer
The official signing of a whopping $1.5 billion Project Labor Agreement between the Building Trades and the Port of Los Angeles means at least 10,000 new union construction jobs over a five-year period, including many local employment opportunities.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, LA City Councilmember Janice Hahn and Los Angeles Harbor Commission president Cindy Miscikowski gathered with 150 Building Trades members and residents at the sun-drenched Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro to celebrate.
Villaraigosa said that on top of the thousands of construction jobs, 20,000 non-construction jobs will be created over the next five years in other industries that support construction.
The mayor sees PLAs as a positive force. When Villaraigosa was first elected, Los Angeles had three PLAs. "Now there are 40," Villaraigosa said to a round of applause.
He stressed the importance of the agreement, not just in putting thousands of people back to work but also in its effort to help apprentices. "When we give Angelenos the opportunity to learn a new skill and take advantage of local employment opportunities, we can build projects faster, cheaper and with fewer interruptions," Villaraigosa said. "That's why Project Labor Agreements are a win-win for our city and a win for our working people."
A Project Labor Agreement is a contract negotiated by labor unions or a council and a developer, in this case, the port.
Hahn also expressed pride in the PLA and the jobs it creates. "The only way that we are going to get our economy back on track is by creating good-paying, middle-class jobs," she said.
"What we are celebrating here today are jobs," Hahn said. "This port is growing and modernizing. It is so important that we remain competitive, to keep these jobs here."
Improvements at the port had been talked about for more than 20 years, so union members in the area are relieved that work is finally set to begin.
Ron Miller, Council Representative for Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council, called the PLA a significant step in putting local, laid-off union workers back to work.
Miller said the mayor and Harbor Commission were determined that the city's tax dollars be used to stimulate the local economy. "Harbor workers are like many Americans in this recession," Miller said. "It is a day-to-day struggle to keep their homes and support their family."
Port Will Upgrade Electricity
Tommy Faavae, business representative for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 11, said the agreement will provide opportunities for apprentices and journeymen.
"There will be plenty of work for electrical workers," he said smiling.
Projects at the bustling cargo port include terminal improvements at the TraPac Container Terminal and the APL containerized cargo facility at berths 302-305.
Also, AMP (Alternative Maritime Power) will be installed at hundreds of berths in Port of Los Angeles. AMP involves fitting the wharf with electricity supplied by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
Ships will be able to plug into the electrical system rather than using their diesel engines while docked. That's good for air quality and for union electrical workers who will be installing the system.
Other jobs include work on an administration building and main gate serving berths 136-147, a rail yard for berth 200, a wharf at berth 306 and existing wharf upgrades.
A Los Angeles Waterfront project will also be built, along with surface transportation infrastructure to improve goods movement, including better roads in the area.
The PLA, which is between Los Angeles and the Building Trades Council, was several years in the making. Thirty percent of the jobs must be made available to Wilmington, San Pedro and Harbor City residents and 10 percent to disadvantaged workers.
"I love the fact that we are giving people a chance," Hahn said.
The improvements should also make the port more attractive to shippers.
"With this PLA, we are improving the LA waterfront with critical infrastructure projects and at the same time, creating thousands of local jobs," Miscikowski said.
The port itself generates 919,000 regional jobs and $39.1 billion in annual wages and tax revenues.
