Why do we need PLAs?

On Monday, the IID Board was set to discuss and consider PLAs. While I am a staunch supporter of collective bargaining, let’s call PLAs what they are: anti-competitive and costly project labor agreements (PLA) schemes, payoffs to Big Labor bosses from politicians in public offices at all levels of government.

Politicians participating in this cronyism results in the creation of union jobs and guaranties they will receive Big Labor’s support through endorsements, votes from rank-and-file union members and campaign cash that will help the candidate win re-election and ascend to higher office in future campaigns.

Who pays for the PLAs? Oh, yes, the IID though an increase in rates. Who will pay the increase in rates? We, the Imperial County ratepayers.

Why do we need PLAs? Why not a mid-point such as requiring prevailing wages be paid, and mandates favoring local contractors? The difference is that the cost of a project under a PLA is increased up to 7 percent, since contractors are required to pay their employees the union wage, rather than the government-determined prevailing wage.

We need to keep jobs here in our county. Furthermore, our depressed area cannot afford the increase in rates. Our shrinking middle class is already subsidizing the elderly and the indigent. Our IID board must like the poor because they are making so many of them.

I know of a local building contractor who hired several talented local laborers and cement finishers about 30 years ago. They stayed with him and bought houses, automobiles, and other goods – thereby contributing to our local economy and raised families here. PLAs favor out-of-area companies and are a net loss to our community. And our perpetual 20 percent unemployment rate community will pay for it.

As a final note if Director Erik Ortega is so enamored of PLAs, why does he not pay his workers union wages?

— Carlos Zaragoza

Holtville