Braintree has announced it will rebid the South Middle School Project without a PLA after a Norfolk Superior Court ruling that it violates the state’s competitive bidding laws. Now all qualified open shops and union contractors will have a fair chance to participate. The town will get a larger pool of qualified bidders, and better prices.
Earlier this week the Town of Braintree was required to re-open the South Middle School Project for bids without the inclusion of a Project Labor Agreement (“PLA”).
In 2020, the Town, with the unanimous support of the School Building Committee, decided to use a PLA on the South Middle School Project. A PLA is a pre-hire agreement that establishes the terms and conditions of employment on a construction project. On this project it would have, among other things, utilized local union hiring halls to hire workers, prevented delays in construction due to work stoppages provided a more diverse work force; however, in response to a lawsuit filed by four non-union contractors and two associations of contractors, the Court has issued an order requiring the Town to rebid the project without the PLA.
“While I respect the decision of the Court, I continue to support the Quincy and South Shore Building Trades Council and recognize the excellent work performed by their members,” said Mayor Charles C. Kokoros. The Town has begun the process to rebid the project and the delays caused by the Court’s ruling will not impact the originally scheduled opening date. “I remain committed to ensuring that construction of the new South Middle School is completed in time for our fifth through eighth graders to begin the 2023 school year at this state-of-the-art educational facility,” said Mayor Kokoros.
Working with the Project Manager, School Department and School Committee Chair, the Town has reset the construction procurement process to begin immediately and comply with the Court’s ruling.
Additional ABC MA Coverage on Braintree's South Middle School Project
Braintree Middle School Bid Package Includes PLA
State Judge Grants Preliminary Injunction Blocking PLA On Braintree School Project​