Community Workforce Agreement (Item 3.93)

ABC SoCal master trainer urged inclusive language so all state-approved (non-union) apprentices can work on county projects.

Union representative supported the CWA, citing 150 years of craft training and free apprenticeship programs.

Western Electrical Contractors Association rep called the CWA a discriminatory special-interest deal that would raise costs 30% and limit opportunities for Black and Hispanic non-union firms.

Iron Workers Local 433 rep supported the CWA, comparing union apprenticeship training favorably to shorter non-union programs.

Shared a personal story of how union benefits carried his family through his son's death; urged adoption of the CWA to keep workers local.

Carpenters council rep said CWAs prioritize local, minority and women hires and called the 30% cost-increase claim 'a bold lie.'

Supported the CWA, saying it's about community working together, not union versus non-union.

Coalition for Fair Employment in Construction director called PLAs discriminatory and wasteful, noting few counties and cities use them, and urged the county to survey contractors first.