ITEM NO:     7f_supp 
MEETING DATE: March 8, 2016 
Construction Labor Relations
Briefing on Proposed Policy
Resolution 
Ralph Graves, Sr. Director 
Capital Development 
David Freiboth, Sr. Director Labor
Relations

Draft Resolution Purpose 
Clarify Port labor relations policy, including the use of
Project Labor Agreements (PLA), on several categories
of construction contracts at the Port of Seattle. 

Commission Resolution proposed.

PLA Elements 
Agreement between Owner and/or contractor and building trades
unions 
Prevailing Wages 
Contribution to trust fund 
Hiring Goals 
Apprenticeship utilization 
Economically under-represented communities 
Local work forces 
Policy benefits 
Ensure labor harmony 
Promote access to jobs 
Ensure fair treatment 
Leverage existing safety practices 
Areas of interest for a Construction Labor Relations policy.

PLA Implementation History 
1999 Original program-wide PLA 
3rd Runway, Terminal Expansion, Rental Car Facility 
One agreement extended to many contracts 
2010 PLA Use Policy and Procedures 
Analysis on each contract 
Individual project specific PLAs 
28 of 109 Port major construction contracts 
80% of dollars and 66% of jobs 
Apprenticeship and diversity goals on all contracts 
Practice on Port-administered contracts.

PLA Decision Criteria 
Project needs for labor continuity and stability 
Project complexity, cost and duration 
Value of having uniform working conditions 
Potential impact of PLA on small businesses 
Past labor disputes or issues 
Potential impact on project cost 
Specific public safety concerns 
Value of PLA processes to resolve disputes 
Staff recommendation subject to Commission approval.

PLAs on Port Major Projects 2010-2014 
28 of 109 Port major construction contracts 
80% of dollars and 66% of jobs 


Larger contracts have used PLAs

Three Construction Types 
A. Port directed contracts for construction 
B. Port reimbursed tenant-administered
construction 
C. Construction on Port property no
reimbursement (e.g. ground lease) 
Current Port policy addresses only A.

Policy Proposal  A. Port Contracts 
Largely continues per recent practice 
Add presumption of using PLA for contracts
exceeding $10M 
Continue apprentice-
ship goals and consider
locality hiring 
Continue successful policy on Port contracts.

Policy Proposal  B. Port Reimbursed 
Employ PLA per Port practice 
Require paying and reporting prevailing wages 
Encourage hiring goals 
for apprenticeship and 
locality as part of a
regional program 
Extends prevailing wage requirement from airport to rest of Port.

Policy Proposal  C. Tenant Funded
(Ground Leases) 
Encourage employing PLA per Port practice 
Make construction labor measures an element
of lease competitions and incorporate proposed
measures into leases 
Encourage hiring goals for apprenticeship and
locality as part of a regional program 
Balancing labor measures with legal and commercial considerations.

Benefits of Proposed Policy 
Asserts Commission intent respecting all
construction contracts on Port property 
Advances equal access to construction jobs 
Smooths path for PLA implementation on
upcoming projects: 
Baggage Modernization Phase 1 
T-5 Modernization 
The Port provides quality jobs while advancing its facilities and commercial objectives.