Historic Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approves Project Labor Agreement for major County construction and maintenance contracts

For the first time, the policy will cover the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Sonoma Water and four sanitation districts managed by the County water agency.

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved an agreement that implements the County’s policy requiring contractors and subcontractors to pay workers union wages and benefits on most County construction and maintenance contracts over $1 million.

The policy approved today significantly expands the use of Project Labor Agreements, a type of collective bargaining agreement first reached between the County and local trade unions in 2014.

“These changes will help strengthen our economy and our community,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “This agreement with our union partners increases the number of workers who will earn a fair wage and benefits. Employers will benefit, too, by having an existing template for labor agreements, which reduces delays and uncertainty.”

The policy will take effect 30 days after a template agreement is signed by representatives of the County, affiliated agencies and the North Bay Building Trades Council, which represents 18 unions in Sonoma, Marin, Mendocino and Lake counties. It would apply to projects that have completed both environmental review and received project approval.