Local
Local
Building Awareness
Politics & Issues at the Local Level
Local politics directly impact our jobs, our families, and the communities we work hard to build every day. For Laborers 177, staying informed and engaged at the local level is essential to protecting our rights, securing job opportunities, and ensuring fair treatment for all workers.
Why Local Politics Matter to Union Members
Local governments—city councils, county boards, and school districts—make decisions that shape the job market, infrastructure projects, and worker protections in our area. These decisions directly affect union jobs and our ability to provide for our families.
Key Local Issues for Laborers 177:
Infrastructure Projects
Local infrastructure improvements like roads, bridges, schools, and public buildings create job opportunities for union laborers. Ensuring these projects prioritize union jobs is critical.Workplace Standards
Local ordinances can establish standards for wages, safety, and benefits, directly influencing our working conditions.Community Development
Decisions about housing, zoning, and new business developments impact both the economy and the demand for skilled labor in our region.
The Role of Laborers 177
Laborers 177 is committed to ensuring that local leaders understand the value union members bring to their communities. By advocating for worker-friendly policies and partnering with local leaders, we can secure opportunities and protections for our members.
Your voice matters. Together, we can ensure that local politics work for union members and their families. Stay informed about key issues and get involved—because building stronger communities starts with us.
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
We are putting pressure on the Des Moines City Council to improve their city development agreements.
We believe including these items in the development agreements will help Union contractors with bidding opportunities within the City, evening the playing field for contractors to bid, and putting YOU to work!!
Educating them to consider & include:
- Registered apprenticeship language.
- Post-Bid/pre-award contractor quality assurance language.
- Certified payroll.
What to Know
A Development Agreement (Dev Agreement) typically refers to a pre-hire labor agreement between the union and contractors, developers, or municipalities for construction projects. These agreements ensure that work is performed by skilled union labor, guaranteeing fair wages, benefits, and safe working conditions for workers.
A Dev Agreement may include:
- Prevailing Wages – Ensuring workers are paid fair, industry-standard wages.
- Union Labor Requirements – Mandating that a certain percentage (or all) of the workforce be union members.
- Training & Apprenticeships – Providing opportunities for union apprentices to gain experience.
- Workplace Safety Standards – Enforcing safety regulations to protect workers on the job.
- Hiring Practices – Giving priority to local union workers for job opportunities.
These agreements help create stable, well-paying jobs for Laborers 177 members while ensuring high-quality construction work. They also benefit developers by guaranteeing a skilled, reliable workforce.
A CBA, or Collective Bargaining Agreement, is a written contract between the union and an employer that outlines the terms and conditions of employment for union members. It’s the result of negotiations between the two parties, ensuring fair treatment, job security, and worker protections.
A Project Labor Agreement (PLA) is a pre-hire agreement that sets the terms and conditions for labor on specific construction projects. PLAs are typically used on large-scale public or private projects to ensure smooth operations and quality work.
Here’s how PLAs affect your union job:
- Job Security: PLAs often require contractors to hire union workers, giving you access to more job opportunities on major projects.
- Fair Wages: PLAs establish standardized pay rates, ensuring you receive prevailing wages and benefits for your work.
- Safe Working Conditions: PLAs include agreements to follow safety standards, making your job site safer.
- Training Opportunities: With PLAs, projects often prioritize skilled union labor, highlighting the value of your training and expertise.
PLAs support union members like you by protecting your rights, ensuring fair compensation, and maintaining high standards on the job.
City and county budgets are vital for funding infrastructure projects that create jobs for union workers. Here’s how it works:
- Funding Sources: Local taxes, state and federal grants, and voter-approved bonds provide the money for public projects like roads, bridges, windmills, pipelines, and buildings.
- Decision-Making: Local governments determine how funds are allocated, often based on community needs, safety, and economic impact. Understanding these decisions helps unions advocate for fair policies and worker inclusion.
- Union Impact: When these projects are funded, unions can push for project labor agreements (PLAs) and ensure fair wages, benefits, and safe conditions for workers involved.
By staying informed about local budgets, union members can help protect and grow job opportunities in these critical infrastructure projects.
Building Awareness
The Local Agenda 2025
City of Des Moines
Bid Specification Improvements
- Working to educate City Council members in Des Moines to include registered apprenticeship language in bid specs.
- Emphasizing importance of using CBAs on local projects when able.
- End goal being increased work opportunities for our membership.
Wind Mill Projects
From laying solid foundations to assembling towering turbines, our skilled members ensure every piece is built safely and efficiently.
- Cerro Gordo County
