By JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week

OGDENSBURG – City Hall was loaded with union members and leaders as the Ogdensburg council voted to enter a project labor agreement they say will create local jobs and provide significant savings on the $35 million wastewater treatment project.

The study, performed by Seeler Engineering, P.C., Penfield, estimated $509,300 in savings for the city.

“We estimate that the proposed PLA could result in an aggregate savings of $509,300 or approximately 5.6 percent of the projected cost of labor for the entire project,” the study says.

A Project Labor Agreement (PLA), is a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement with one or more labor organizations that establishes the terms of employment for a specific project.

The controversial agreement drew support from organized labor, but some local contractors have urged the city to steer clear of such an agreement.

The agreement does provide some guarantees for the city, protecting taxpayers from unforeseen costs that might arise and a locked in time frame.

Deputy Mayor Dan Skamperle said he believed this was the best move for the city and he was pleased that local labor would be able to complete the work.

More than two-dozen union members were in attendance and offered applause to council after the PLA was ratified unanimously.

It is not uncommon for PLAs to attract lawsuits, which is likely why City Manager Sarah recapped the vetting process and acknowledged those who spoke in favor and against the PLA since the idea was floated in November.

Also speaking publicly in support of the agreement were Mayor Wayne Ashley and councilors Michael Powers, Jennifer Stevenson and Timothy Davis.

According to the study PLAs provide non-cost savings benefits as well as the help avoid “delays of potential strikes and other disruption arising from work disputes to ensure timely completion.”