Historically, Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) maximize the use of local labor, and assist the on time and on budget completion of construction projects. Currently, they are used by Orange County and Middletown for their building projects. Last Year, Mr. Paul and Dr. Mauro introduced and proposed PLAs for the construction of the district's new elementary school, but Dr. Eastwood, the board attorneys, and RSA, the district's Syracuse architects rejected the adoption of PLAs. Given the high rate of local unemployment, and the current economic downturn, it is insensitive to the needs of our local labor for Dr. Eastwood and others to fail to protect our local labor workforce.
Recently, Joseph De Stefano, Middletown Mayor requested that the district reconsider its position on PLAs. Given Dr. Eastwood's previous rejection of PLAs, and his propensity for hiring people from upstate New York and outside our region, it is unlikely that he will reverse his position, nor recommend to the board that they adopt PLAs for the new elementary school. In light of the fact that Dr. Eastwood is asking local taxpayers to pay a large increase in our school taxes, his rejection of PLAs shows a disregard and lack of concern for our local workforce, and the financial needs of the people in the Middletown School District.
