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Federal project labor agreement proposal fuels debate across local industry
A federal proposal to implement an executive order for project labor agreements for federal projects worth $35 million or more has sparked debate within Wisconsin’s construction industry.
Wisconsin 5th in ABC’s annual ‘merit shop’ ranking of states
Wisconsin has come in 5th in the Associated Builders and Contractors’ annual ranking of state’s reliance on “merit shop” principles in their regulation and governance of the construction industry.
Minn. judge tosses ABC lawsuit challenging school PLAs
A judge in Minneapolis has dismissed a lawsuit that challenged the Minneapolis School District’s use of certain collective-bargaining pacts, known as “project labor agreements,” on school projects.
ABC of Wisconsin endorses Walker
The Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin, a largely non-union trades group, is endorsing Gov. Scott Walker as he seeks a third term in office.
Walker to sign PLA bill Monday
Gov. Scott Walker plans on Monday to sign a bill that would prohibit local governments from mandating project-labor agreements in a way that critics say unfairly directs public contracts to union companies.
Campaign seeks to combat ban on mandatory PLAs
Democratic state lawmakers have embarked on a campaign arguing that a proposed ban on certain mandatory project-labor agreements would harm veterans and subject Wisconsin contractors to more competition from out-of-state rivals.
Assembly to vote next week on PLA bill
The Wisconsin Assembly plans to vote next week on a bill that would prevent local governments from using mandatory project-labor agreements in a way that critics say favors unionized companies.
Mandatory, union-favoring PLAs must go
PLAs often limit competition by imposing undue regulations or circumstances that would put nonunion contractors at a disadvantage.
Lawmakers plan bills banning mandatory PLAs on public projects (UPDATE)
A pair of Republican lawmakers announced plans Thursday to introduce legislation that would ban the use of project-labor agreements on public projects.
Industry officials differ on benefits of PLA for Bucks arena
While labor officials contend it would be foolish not to give the new Bucks arena the benefits of a project-labor agreement, representatives of non-union companies are arguing that a PLA would be doing little more than limiting competition in a way that might lead to higher costs.
Bucks arena to include PLA
The general contractor for the new Milwaukee Bucks arena is saying any subcontractors enlisted for work will probably first have to sign a project-labor agreement.
Mandatory PLAs draw trade group’s ire
Dane County officials are not going so far as to prevent nonunion companies from bidding on a planned highway garage and medical examiner’s complex.
Today’s News
- Supervisor calls for referendum on Milwaukee County Courthouse revamp
- $19M mixed-use project tackles city’s biggest issues
- US existing home sales unexpectedly fall in June
- Milwaukee Water Street nightlife locations for sale
- Milwaukee mayor favors improving I-794 freeway over removal
- Wisconsin Pre-Bid Meetings – Week of July 13, 2026
- 200-unit apartment project wins 2nd city endorsement
- ON THE LEVEL: Josh Brown takes the torch at Bliffert Lumber
- BUILDING BLOCKS: Tom’s Drive In nears completion in Fond du Lac
- Computing facility dropped from Midtown Center redevelopment in Milwaukee
- Delayed Bay View development reaches Milwaukee Common Council
- TOP BIDDERS: The biggest recent winning bids from around Wisconsin | July 6
Project Profiles
- First prefabricated bridge in US installed in Eau Claire County
- Illinois developer worked with Wisconsin contractor to build 258-unit Wauwatosa apartment complex
- VJS Construction raises the roof for Bruce Guadalupe Community School expansion project
- Microgrid pilot project will store energy for village affected by outages
- Dane County sees uptick in highway work zone crashes, on track to exceed last year
- The Hop streetcar will debut newest service route in fall with limited service
- FPC Live slims venue proposal to 1 downtown building
- Children’s Hospital urgent care center in Milwaukee gets first round of city approval
- With Sonag Construction shut down, feds move to block indicted owner from collecting leftover assets
- Four contractors selected to build border wall prototypes
- UW-Milwaukee’s Greenstreet shaping minds (and the city)
- Turning the Corner(s) (PHOTO SLIDESHOW)