Project Labor Agreements Required for Public Improvement Projects
Effective February 1, 2025 — Pursuant to Executive Order 2024-02, the City of Cleveland will generally require contractors and subcontractors for public improvement projects estimated to cost $500,000.00 or greater to comply with and adhere to a project labor agreement (“PLA”). PLA is an agreement between the City of Cleveland and local unions that establishes the terms and conditions for construction work on specific public improvement projects. The City of Cleveland shall not enter into any contract with a successful bidder unless such contract contains a provision requiring the successful bidder and all of its subcontractors to comply with and adhere to a project labor agreement. For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions: Project Labor Agreements for the City of Cleveland Projects below.
PLA Project Estimates
Last updated February 21, 2025
East 27 Street Sewer Project
Scope
The project consists of replacing approximately 1,015 ft of a combined main sewer within the right of way on East 27 Street between Chester Avenue and Payne Avenue in the City of Cleveland. This includes replacement of main sewer pipe, manhole and catch basin structures, catch basin connections, sewer connections and roadway pavement restoration.
Address
East 27 Street between Chester Avenue and Payne Avenue
Estimate
$800,000
Lee Road Area Phase 1 Jo Ann Drive Sanitary Relief Sewer Project
Scope
The project consists of installing approximately 1,800 ft of a sanitary main sewer within the right of way on Jo Ann Drive between Invermere Avenue and Glendale Avenue, and on Glendale Avenue between Jo Ann Drive and East 189 Street in the City of Cleveland. This includes replacement of main sewer pipe, manhole and catch basin structures, catch basin connections, sewer connections and roadway pavement restoration.
Address
Jo Ann Drive between Invermere Avenue and Glendale Avenue, and on Glendale Avenue between Jo Ann Drive and East 189 Street
Estimate
$1,800,000
Public Auditorium Life Safety Electrical
Scope
Replacing electrical distribution equipment
Address
500 Lakeside Ave.
Estimate
$1,000,000
Central Rec Phase 4
Scope
New park and entry accessibility improvements.
Address
2526 Central Ave.
Estimate
$3,000,000
Pool Improvement Program - Luke Easter
Scope
Pool House Improvements
Address
3090 Martin Luther King Dr.
Estimate
$500,000
Public Works Roof Repairs @ Carr Center
Scope
Roof Repairs
Address
5600 Carnegie
Estimate
$5,000,000
Cudell Commons Park Imp.
Scope
Site Improvements- Earthwork, Paving, Landscaping
Address
10001 Detroit Ave.
Estimate
$500,000
Zelma George Dewatering
Scope
Mitigation of water infiltration.
Address
3155 Martin Luther King Dr.
Estimate
$250,000
Circle Square, Phase 2 is the reconstruction of the Stokes / Reserve Court Intersection.
Scope
Roadway Reconstruction
Address
Stokes & Reserve Court
Estimate
$3,980,000
Baldwin Filter Underdrains II
Scope
- Mobilization and demobilization.
- Filter Building Work:
- Removal and disposal of existing filter media.
- Replacement of filter media.
- Replacement of filter underdrains.
- CCTV inspection of and media removal from the filter effluent piping.
- Concrete repairs and liner installation at filter walls adjacent to expansion joints.
- Concrete wall crack repairs.
- Replacement of 8-inch air scour piping and valves to each filter with 10-inch air scour piping and valves.
- Associated process/mechanical, electrical, structural, and architectural Work.
- Fairmount Pump Station Work:
- Replacement of Pumps 59 and 60 discharge piping (including yard piping), concrete thrust blocks, and concrete saddles.
- Replacement of existing floor slab.
- Installation of steel pipe support systems.
Address
Baldwin Water Plant, 11216 Stokes Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44104.
Estimate
$12,000,000
FAQ: Project Labor Agreements for City of Cleveland Public Improvement Projects
City of Cleveland employees may not provide legal advice to the public. The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For questions regarding the application of a city ordinance, regulation, or policy, you should consult an attorney regarding your specific situation.
What is a Project Labor Agreement (PLA)?
A Project Labor Agreement is an agreement between the City of Cleveland and local unions that establishes terms and conditions for construction work on specific public improvement projects. PLAs ultimately require that contractors and subcontractors on a specific City project follow the terms of the unions’ collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) for the work on that project.
Why are PLAs required?
PLAs aim to promote labor peace, quality workmanship, and effective use of public funds. This includes ensuring that workers meet the skill, safety, and licensing standards required for their respective trades.
Does the PLA require contractors to use union-only labor?
No. Employees are not required to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment. If awarded the contract, the contractor must agree to the PLA, which includes following the applicable CBAs only for work on the specific project.
What work is covered under a PLA?
The PLA applies to on-site construction work, including demolition, site preparation, certain material transportation and off-site pre-fabrication of building materials, systems, signage, displays, and/or components traditionally performed on-site. Exclusions include work by architects, project managers, specialty vendors, engineers, and other non-construction personnel.
Does this affect projects that are currently out for bid, or projects for which the bid was already awarded?
No. This only affects projects going forward, where the PLA is included as part of the bid requirements. It is not retroactive, and it does not affect any project already in progress.
How will I know a PLA is required?
Projects with a PLA requirement will include bid language and attachments clarifying the requirement in the bid documents, and exempt projects will not. PLAs are only required for eligible public improvement projects with an estimated cost of $500,000 or more.
What happens if a contractor violates the PLA?
Following the PLA is a part of the contract between the City and the contractor. If a contractor violates the PLA, it will be in violation of its contract with the City.
What are subcontractors’ obligations?
All subcontractors (aka "Employers" in the PLA) of every tier must execute the "Acknowledgement of Assent" form (PLA EXHIBIT C), indicating that they will abide by the terms of the PLA. It is the general contractor’s obligation to ensure that these forms are signed and that the subcontractor abides by the PLA.
What does compliance with a PLA actually entail?
In short, contractors:
- As part of their bid submission, include an executed "Acknowledgement of Assent" form, indicating that the contractor will abide by the PLA.
- Follow the applicable CBAs for the duration of the project.
- If the contractor is already a signatory to the CBA, nothing changes.
- Otherwise, the contractor becomes a temporary signatory to the CBA for the work on the specific City project. This is done by executing the "Letter of Assent" form.
- Require all subcontractors to follow the same rules by having them execute the same "Acknowledgement of Assent" form.