Baltimore Announces First-Ever Project Labor Agreement to Boost Local Workforce and Infrastructure Projects

Baltimore, MD – Mayor Brandon M. Scott, in conjunction with the Baltimore-D.C. Metro Building Trades Council, has announced the establishment of the City of Baltimore’s inaugural Project Labor Agreement (PLA). This landmark agreement signifies a notable evolution in how the city manages its major capital initiatives, aiming to foster the development of its local workforce and ensure that significant infrastructure improvements directly benefit city residents, particularly working families.

The newly established PLA will govern the parameters for four key capital projects managed by the Baltimore Department of Public Works (DPW). These projects include the rehabilitation of the Dundalk Pumping Station, the Sparrows Point Alt Outfall, the Ashburton Pumping Station, and the Quad Avenue Pumping Station. The agreement is designed to promote the efficient and timely completion of these essential city undertakings through a series of labor and worksite enhancements. Key provisions focus on expanding apprenticeship and skills training programs, improving compensation and safety standards for workers, and establishing clear procedures for resolving disputes and mitigating potential construction delays.

A central component of the PLA is the prioritization of hiring unionized workers for these critical DPW projects. Beyond the immediate need for skilled labor on these specific undertakings, the agreement emphasizes building long-term capacity within Baltimore’s workforce. This will be facilitated through an enhanced partnership between the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED) and the Building Trades Council’s Raising the Bar Apprenticeship Readiness Program. The initiative aims to implement more robust apprenticeship programs that can meet the increased labor demands of these projects, with a specific commitment to local recruitment, training, and hiring within Baltimore City. The intention is to ensure that city residents are positioned to capitalize on the opportunities presented by these projects and to bolster the city’s capability for delivering high-quality craftwork on crucial infrastructure developments.

The agreement addresses a range of worksite conditions, wages, hours, and dispute resolution processes to ensure that projects are executed in a timely, cost-effective, and streamlined manner. This PLA represents a significant departure from past approaches to supporting capital projects within Baltimore.

The Project Labor Agreement is scheduled for review and potential approval by the Board of Estimates at its meeting on Wednesday, January 7th, 2026. Following anticipated approval, the agreement will be formally signed by Mayor Scott, agency representatives, and union leaders. The PLA will remain in effect until the completion of the DPW projects included under its purview.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Office of Mayor Brandon M. Scott

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