TOMS RIVER, NJ – In surprising development in Ocean County, unionized labor has found a new friend.
Ocean County Republican Chairman, George Gilmore, has announced his backing for project labor agreements (PLAs), garnering support from the state’s building trades unions.
In a speech at the New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council convention in Atlantic City, Gilmore pledged to encourage Republican-controlled county and municipal governments in Ocean County to require PLAs for local construction projects.
“I’m giving you my word. I’ll do everything I can to help you and provide these project labor agreements,” Gilmore affirmed, emphasizing his commitment to advancing the cause. He believes that PLAs are beneficial for the local economy, as they ensure that 88% of the project’s workforce is hired locally, enhancing job opportunities for residents.
To promote the advantages of PLAs, Gilmore extended invitations to mayors from all 33 municipalities in Ocean County for a presentation.
Several of them have already shown their support by signing on to the initiative.
It was announced earlier this year that Gilmore took a position with a South Jersey lobbying firm with strong ties to Democrat political boss George Norcross.
“We promise you we’re going to be adopting more. We got the Ocean County government itself to adopt the plan, and I will fight for that because you do the right thing when you argue those project labor agreements. We benefit by your getting the work, and residents of my county and every other county in the state benefit,” Gilmore declared, highlighting the mutual benefits of such agreements.
Interestingly, Gilmore’s stance on union workers marks a political conversion, as he previously dealt with low-bidder contracts during his tenure as a municipal attorney for over 25 years. He now firmly believes that investing in skilled labor unions through PLAs delivers quality results and value for money.
The endorsement of PLAs by George Gilmore adds a bipartisan dimension to the issue in Ocean County. The Democratic county chairman, Wyatt Earp, who also serves as the Monmouth and Ocean Counties Central Labor Council president and an IBEW official, supports the cause, further solidifying the significance of PLAs for both political parties.
As the state’s building trades unions gain this influential ally, they can expect increased support in advocating for PLAs on local construction projects, with potential positive implications for the workforce and the economy in Ocean County.
Critics argue that PLAs add unnecessary burdens and costs to municipalities.
Gilmore disagreed, adding that only public projects over $5 million would be affected.
