U.S. Judge Orders DOD to Resume Use of Project Labor Agreements
A U.S. District Court judge in Washington, D.C. has issued a preliminary injunction requiring the Department of Defense (DOD) to comply with a Biden-era executive order mandating the use of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on large-scale federal construction projects.
Legal Challenge Over PLA Policy
The decision came on May 16 from Judge Rudolph Contreras, siding with North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) and the Baltimore-D.C. Metro Building and Construction Trades Council. The lawsuit, filed on April 9, challenged recent DOD guidance that sought to halt the use of PLAs—even on projects exceeding $35 million in federal funding.
The plaintiffs argued the policy violated Executive Order 14063, issued by President Joe Biden, which requires federal agencies to use PLAs on large-scale construction contracts to improve efficiency and ensure quality labor standards.
Court Blocks DOD’s Anti-PLA Memo
The DOD’s February 7 memo directed contracting officers to avoid PLAs, directly conflicting with the Biden order. Judge Contreras ordered the DOD to set aside the memo, even for projects unrelated to the plaintiffs, reinforcing the broader applicability of the executive order.
NABTU Celebrates Legal Victory
NABTU President Sean McGarvey welcomed the ruling.
“PLAs aren’t political gimmicks or special-interest carveouts,” McGarvey said. “They are proven workforce development tools that undergird strong economic growth in communities across the country.”
NABTU President Sean McGarvey
He emphasized that PLAs benefit union and non-union contractors alike, stating that “countless traditionally non-union contractors work on PLA projects across the country.”
Future of Federal PLA Policy Remains Unclear
Despite the ruling, the future of PLA enforcement remains uncertain. While former President Trump issued an order steering agencies away from collective bargaining agreements, he has not revoked Biden’s Executive Order 14063.
As legal and political challenges continue, the use of Project Labor Agreements in federal construction remains a developing story.
