L.A. to require Project Labor Agreements

Calling it the city's own stimulus package, the Los Angeles City Council on Friday approved a far-reaching plan to require that 98 city construction projects valued at $2 billion be carried out under Project Labor Agreements. Daily News,

The program, crafted after 11 years of negotiations with labor unions, will require that 30 percent of the work force on any city-contracted project be Los Angeles residents. It also has strict requirements for apprentice programs and hiring from disadvantaged areas of the city.

"We have had 19 of these over the past few years and this will put us at more than 100 - more than any other city in the nation," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said after the council's 12-0 vote.

Councilwoman Jan Perry, who shepherded the program through the City Council, said it will help create local jobs.