Project Labor Agreements
Regional Workforce Equity Agreement
The product of the Construction Careers Pathways initiative, a multi-year regional effort driven by Oregon Metro, the Regional Workforce Equity Agreement is a landmark regional project labor agreement, incorporating model provisions promoting diversity and inclusion within a PLA framework. It is the only PLA in the country adopted by three or more public entities; additional entities may sign on as the agreement is implemented. More
The firm specializes in negotiation of project labor agreements (PLAs) and community workforce agreements (CWAs) that advance multiple public purposes.
Representative PLAs and CWAs negotiated by the firm’s attorneys include:
Additional Resources
Community Benefits Agreements
City of Richmond – Community Benefits Policy
Julian Gross assisted the City of Richmond, California, in developing a Community Benefits Policy, adopted as an ordinance in February 2022. This groundbreaking law establishes minimum community benefits requirements and enhanced procedural requirements for proposed land use development projects receiving substantial public support. Such projects are required to implement local employment and contracting requirements, apply fair chance employment procedures, and contribute to a community benefits fund. In addition, prior to approval of such projects, key terms of the project’s public involvement and community benefits commitments must be released to the public, with City Council holding a dedicated hearing on the project’s community benefits at least seven days prior to a vote regarding project approval.
The firm represents both public entities and advocacy coalitions in negotiating community benefits agreements (CBAs) – legally binding contracts specifying community benefits to be delivered by large land use development projects. The firm also assists public entities in developing policies to promote the negotiation of CBAs by affected stakeholders, and enhance transparency and effectiveness of public processes related to negotiation of complex land use development processes.
Representative CBA negotiations by the firm’s attorneys include:
Additional Resources
- Community Benefits Agreements 101, hosted by Department of Energy’s Office of the Secretary in collaboration with the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity (June 24, 2022)
Equity in Infrastructure
The firm has extensive experience assisting clients in ensuring equity in economic opportunities resulting from public construction and infrastructure development. Our attorneys provide legal and technical assistance as part of diverse teams developing and adopting policies to promote: diversity in employment and contracting; local and disadvantaged employment and training; inclusion of small and local contractors, access to high-quality pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs; prevailing wage enforcement, enforcement of anti-discrimination laws. We maintain expertise on conditions of federal funding, relevant state and local contracting laws, and applicable state and federal constitutional principles.
Representative clients in this area have included:
- PolicyLink
- California Department of Toxic Substances Control
- City of Oakland, California
- AC Transit
- City of San Pablo, California
- Town of Babylon, New York
- Insight Center
Other Matters
The firm advises public and nonprofit clients on a variety of advocacy efforts and organizational needs.
These include:
- ballot measure drafting;
- contract negotiations and MOUs;
- incorporation and nonprofit tax-exempt status applications;
- fiscal sponsorship and spin-off agreements; and
- representation of quasi-public entities, such as assessment districts (BIDs, CBDs, etc.) and local economic development corporations.