In a survey of more than 500 members of Associated Builders and Contractors, 98 percent said they were less likely to bid on a taxpayer-funded construction contract if the bid specifications required the winning firm to sign a project labor agreement with labor unions. Additionally, 97 percent stated that a construction contract mandating a PLA would be more expensive compared to a contract procured via free and open competition.

There was near unanimous consent that a PLA would result in worse local hiring outcomes for a project, and almost 90 percent of respondents agreed that a PLA would decrease the hiring of women, veterans and disadvantaged business enterprises.

Currently, 24 states have adopted legislation or executive orders to ensure fair and open competition on state and local taxpayer-funded construction projects by restricting government-mandated PLAs and PLA preferences.