Project Labor Agreements and NYC Street Tree Planting Contracts

This week, Laborers’ Local 1010 LECET joined the Cornell ILR Worker Institute and Buffalo Co-Lab to present new research examining the feasibility of a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for New York City Parks’ street tree-planting program.

The event brought together leaders from labor, government, and industry for an important conversation about how PLAs can help strengthen safety and job standards, support responsible contractors, expand opportunities for MWBEs, and ensure high-quality work for communities across New York City.

As the research makes clear: **“Not only is the proposal feasible, but it is a good idea for New York!”**

Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to this important discussion, including First Deputy Comptroller Aya Keefe; representatives from the NYC Parks Department; Council Member and Chair of the Committee on Civil Service and Labor Shirley Aldebol; Council Member and Chair of the Committee on Contracts Lincoln Restler; Santos Rodriguez, Chief of Staff of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York; James W. Versocki, Partner at Archer, Byington, Glennon & Levine LLP; and our key partners at Cornell ILR, Anne Marie Brady and Rusty Weaver.

We also appreciate all of the elected officials who sent representatives and helped provide valuable context and perspective on this issue.

A special thank you to Council Member Ty Hankerson,

Chair of the NYC Council Committee on Parks and Recreation for sharing a thoughtful video that helped set the tone for this important conversation.

We’re grateful to everyone who participated and look forward to continuing the conversation about how we can build stronger standards, create more opportunities, and deliver quality work for New York City communities.