Larson, Blumenthal, Murphy Announce Landmark Project Labor Agreement Requirement, Securing Union Jobs for $345 Million Hartford Courthouse Construction
Hartford, CT – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) and Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy announced a new federal determination they negotiated with the General Services Administration (GSA) to require a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for the upcoming $345 million courthouse construction project in Hartford. This new determination will secure hundreds of good-paying, union construction jobs for the new U.S. District Courthouse on Allyn Street.
“Our delegation has worked together for many years to secure the funding needed to build a new courthouse in Hartford and press the GSA to oversee a bidding process that does right by our workers,” said Larson. “We brought together a broad coalition to secure this determination, including the Building Trades and local leaders like Mayor Arunan Arulampalam, who understand the importance of good-paying union jobs in our community. As Big Business and their allies continue to try to cut labor out of the process, we will keep fighting to make sure no one can deny Connecticut workers the pay and benefits they deserve. I will always stand with our hard-working men and women in construction, and will continue to work with our federal, state, and local partners to see this project through.”
“This agreement will ensure high quality craftsmanship and good wages for skilled workers as they build Hartford’s much needed new courthouse,” said Blumenthal. “Project Labor Agreements are a win-win, ensuring that workers are fairly compensated, and projects are cost effective and completed on time. Our delegation strongly encouraged this agreement and advocated for the project’s funding, and I am thrilled it is moving forward.”
“Building a new courthouse is a massive project that will create hundreds of jobs in Hartford. This decision is a huge win for workers and I’m grateful to my colleagues for their partnership in making sure these workers are paid livable wages and working on sites that are safe,” said Murphy.
Today’s announcement came after Larson, Blumenthal, and Murphy secured $345 million in federal funding to support the new courthouse’s construction. Following the lawmakers’ recent letter urging the requirement of a PLA for the project, GSA officials issued a determination that a PLA would be in the public’s interest, citing Larson, Blumenthal, and Murphy’s advocacy as a key reason for the new policy.
“Project Labor Agreements not only mean better-paying jobs for our members here in Hartford, but also a safer worksite, better building materials, and in this case, a more modern and reliable courthouse for our community. They are an essential part of any significant construction project,” said Hartford Building Trades President Mike Grabowski. “The hard-working men and women of the Building Trades are grateful to Congressman Larson and Senators Blumenthal and Murphy, who worked tirelessly across multiple administrations to bring this $345 million project to Hartford and secure this landmark determination from the federal government for the workers we represent.”
View Larson, Blumenthal, and Murphy’s full letter to GSA HERE.
Read the full determination from GSA requiring PLAs to be part of the bidding process for the courthouse project HERE.
Photos from the press conference are available HERE.