(Salem, OR) — A group of construction contractors has filed a lawsuit challenging Oregon Governor Tina Kotek’s executive order mandating project labor agreements (PLAs) for most state-funded construction projects. The lawsuit, submitted Friday in Marion County Circuit Court, argues that Kotek overstepped her constitutional authority in imposing the requirement.
The executive order, issued earlier this year, has sparked controversy within the construction industry, with many contractors expressing concerns over its impact on project costs, workforce availability, and fair competition. Project labor agreements are pre-hire collective bargaining agreements that establish terms and conditions of employment for specific projects, often requiring contractors to work with unionized labor.
According to the complaint, the contractors claim that the Oregon Constitution does not grant the governor the power to mandate PLAs on state projects. They argue that such agreements could limit opportunities for non-union contractors and drive up costs for taxpayers…