Special IID meeting on PLAs set for Monday

EL CENTRO — More than a year ago the Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors directed staff to enter into negotiation of the project labor agreements involving general construction capital projects and outside line work.

The IID board has scheduled a special meeting for 9 a.m. Monday, where the PLAs will be discussed, with a possible vote coming Dec. 1, three days before two new directors take the oath of office.

Staff were directed in October 2019 to negotiate PLAs of 10 years.

The board appointed a committee, which included directors Norma Sierra Galindo and Erik Ortega to oversee and coordinate with IID’s negotiators.

Even though many non-union groups opposed the PLAs, the negotiators reached an understanding with trade councils and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Non-union contractors fear PLAs would require all IID projects placed out to bid to require union workers or companies. They argueit would disqualify many local contractors from being able to bid on this work.

A livable and competitive wage with benefits between union and nonunion workers will also be discussed.

The IID last year said there was a tremendous amount of new construction happening, so there would be plenty of work to go around.

The negotiators met with the board committee that has received the agreements, which the directors now have for their consideration on Dec. 1.

Since Dec. 1 apparently will be Ortega’s last IID meeting as a director since losing his re-election bid to Javier Gonzalez, a decision would have to be made on that date to allow him to vote. Ortega has been a staunch supporter of the project labor agreements.

According to the board agenda memorandum, there are two sets of agreements for the IID directors to consider, including one that embodies terms negotiated with the Imperial County and Riverside San Bernardino Building and Construction Trades Council and with IBEW Local 47 for covering outside lines of work.

The argument by some is a PLA will raise all IID projects by 25 percent to 30 percent in cost by sending dollars and employment to out-of-county union shops.