Rep. Sykes Stands with Workers, Fights Back Against Anti-Labor Committee Testimony
WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Representative Emilia Strong Sykes (OH-13) fought against anti-labor rhetoric during today’s Highways and Transit Subcommittee hearing on the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Rep. Sykes defended the requirement of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) for IIJA-funded projects, saying they help control construction costs, prevent overruns, and ensure fair wages for workers.
“In Ohio, we have bipartisan support for Project Labor Agreements (PLAs). We have found PLAs to be incredibly important for our state and for building our infrastructure. When I hear criticism of PLAs, I take it very personally, because those fair wages and those protections are essential to keeping the laborers and workers in my community safe,” said Rep. Sykes.
PLAs are collective bargaining agreements between building and trade unions and contractors. They organize complex construction projects and ensure their efficient and timely completion, while also improving the safety and health of workers.
PLAs have been consistently supported by Ohio Republican and Democratic governors, Democrats across Ohio, the Ohio legislature’s Republican supermajority, and by labor unions such as AFL-CIO and the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council.
Watch Rep. Sykes’ full remarks here.