Sept. 9, 2025

For Immediate Release

Redwood City — San Mateo County supervisors today approved a project labor agreement with unions for most County public works projects — a decision leaders say will increase the safety and quality of the work and promote timely and fiscally sound completion.

Beginning July 1, 2026, this agreement between the County and the San Mateo County Building and Construction Trades Council, along with affiliated unions, will apply to all projects awarded over a five-year-term that meet specific monetary thresholds set out in the contract. The winning contract bidder must abide by the terms, as well as all contractors and subcontractors working on the project.

Advocates say project labor agreements promote the use of skilled labor, provide for the peaceful settlement of labor disputes, improve the safety and quality of the work performed and stabilize wages and working conditions for the employees on the projects. The agreement also includes provisions for apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs and the hiring of military veterans. The agreement does not require employees of a non-union contractor to join a union or pay dues as a condition of employment.

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