We are thrilled to announce a significant victory for our Building Trades Unions. On Tuesday, May 14th, in the City of Mountain View, we secured increased work opportunities for our members and successfully landed another Citywide Project Labor Agreement (PLA). Despite facing vigorous opposition and extensive lobbying to persuade City Council members to vote against us, the Mountain View City Council voted unanimously to adopt the Citywide Community Workforce Agreement.

This victory was made possible through the unwavering support and presence of about 150 union members who attended the City Council meeting to advocate for this agreement. Their commitment and solidarity were palpable, and their presence played a crucial role in our success. Check out the photos below to see the strength of our collective effort.

Community Workforce Agreements are not achieved overnight. This milestone represents the culmination of years of diligent effort and perseverance by all of you. Our journey began in 2018 when we lobbied the City Council to include this item in its work plan. It was one of many projects that city staff had to prioritize. As the CWA was finally nearing its turn for attention, the onset of the pandemic caused significant disruptions to the schedule. We had to undertake another round of intensive lobbying to ensure our item returned to the top of the priority list.

In October of last year, we finally reached the negotiation table. However, we quickly discovered that other organizations were actively working to undermine our efforts. This setback only fueled our determination. Through the relentless hard work and dedication of several affiliates and allied organizations, we strengthened our partnership with the City of Mountain View, ultimately achieving a resounding success.

This achievement underscores the importance of our members’ skills and dedication. The work secured through this agreement will rely on the expertise developed through our rigorous apprenticeship programs and the invaluable knowledge passed down by experienced craft workers. We are confident that our members will execute these projects with the highest standards of quality and professionalism, creating high-value results that will pave the way for future agreements.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the members of the City Council for their visionary leadership and commitment to fostering a partnership that will benefit the entire Mountain View community. Their support strengthens the local construction industry and ensures the delivery of projects that meet the highest standards. We encourage all members to reach out to the Councilmembers who stood by us: Margaret Abe-Koga, Lucas Ramirez, Emily Ann Ramos, Lisa Matichak, and Pat Showalter. Please take a moment to express your appreciation for their support and reaffirm our commitment to standing by them in return:

Margaret Abe-Koga: margaret.abe-koga@mountainview.gov

Lucas Ramirez: lucas.ramirez@mountainview.gov

Emily Ann Ramos: emily.ramos@mountainview.gov

Lisa Matichak: lisa.matichak@mountainview.gov

Pat Showalter: pat.showalter@mountainview.gov

This victory is a testament to what we can achieve when we unite and persist in our efforts. Let us continue demonstrating the power and value of the Building Trades Unions, ensuring we meet and exceed expectations in all our projects. We will build a stronger future for our members and communities.

Thank you for your continued dedication, hard work, and unwavering support.

In solidarity,

Brett Davis
South Bay Regional Director