Evesham Township council passed a resolution at its March meeting to require Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) for significant public works contracts.
The decision speaks to the township’s goal of ensuring both a skilled local workforce and high-quality construction, as well as long-term economic stability. Under the new measure, a PLA would be mandatory in bid specifications for qualifying projects.
The resolution aligns with recent legislative updates at the state level. Previous New Jersey law restricted PLAs to projects exceeding $5 million, a threshold most township projects didn’t reach. But a January 2026 amendment to the law empowers municipalities to mandate PLAs at lower thresholds, so Evesham’s policy will now apply the requirements to projects of $200,000 or more.
Mayor Jaclyn Veasy expressed gratitude to state officials for the amendment.
“This is only possible because the legislature and (former) Gov. Murphy signed into law back in January that there was no threshold for project labor agreements,” she noted. “So I just want to thank our state representatives for opening up that possibility.”
By integrating PLAs into the bidding process, the township aims to secure the following for residents:
- – Labor stability by minimizing potential delays caused by labor disputes or shortages
- – A skilled workforce to guarantee projects are handled by qualified, highly trained professionals
- – Safety and timeliness by ensuring public infrastructure is completed on schedule and meets high safety standards
- – Fiscal responsibility that maximizes the value of taxpayer dollars through increased project efficiency
Local leaders view the resolution as an investment in Evesham residents and the surrounding region. By utilizing PLAs, the township will ensure that local labor has priority.
“This resolution reflects our commitment to a stronger, more inclusive Evesham,” Veasy explained. “By supporting a skilled local workforce, we’re building more than just infrastructure. We’re building the future of our community with high-quality workmanship that will stand the test of time.”
“I love this because it supports labor stability,” Councilman Joseph Fisicaro Jr. commented. “It creates an efficient skilled labor force to create peace of mind, safety and provide jobs, so I’m always grateful for when we’re able to do things like this.”
“Livable wages matter,” Deputy Mayor Heather Cooper opined. “Partnerships with skilled labor for governments matter, jobs for local residents matter. They are a steady workforce and it’s important that all government entities at every level should access and consider what the inclusion of project labor does to benefit a town.”
