~First labor agreement of its kind in the Commonwealth~
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va – With the approval of the construction contract for the rehabilitation of the Accotink Wastewater Pump Station, Fairfax County is administering the first local government Project Labor Agreement (PLA) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The pump station, located at 9201 Richmond Highway in the Mount Vernon District, is the largest wastewater pump station in the County and conveys sewage from more than 63 square miles of Fairfax County and Fort Belvoir.
Although upgrades and repairs have been made over the years, the pump station and associated sanitary sewer force main require major rehabilitation after 40 years of continuous operations. The project will increase the capacity of the sewer infrastructure from 37 to 45 million gallons per day, replace approximately 6,600 feet of 42-inch diameter existing force main, and upgrade the odor control system. The new force main will be in an easement on the Fort Belvoir property, which has been closely coordinated for review and approval with Fort Belvoir personnel. The construction is anticipated to take 48 months to complete.
“As a County, we are investing in our community infrastructure today to improve service and prevent emergencies tomorrow. Over the years, you may have noticed a sewer-like smell when you drive by Tully Gate, this will eliminate that, further benefitting our residents, particularly those who frequent the Kennedy Shelter,” said Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck.
The construction contract for the Accotink Pump Station Rehabilitation Project, valued at $71,699,000, was executed by the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services on July 3, 2024. The contract is with Northeast Remsco and includes a PLA executed by the contractor and the Baltimore/DC Metro Building Trades Union and their organized labor affiliates.
The PLA included in the contract is a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement that establishes the terms and conditions of employment for all workers on the project, including contractors and labor unions. Fairfax County developed the PLA terms in coordination with organized labor, the general contractors prequalified to bid on the project, a PLA consultant, and County procurement and legal agencies.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay commended the implementation of the PLA agreement, “I want to thank County staff and the Baltimore/DC-Metro Building Trades Council for working together to achieve this historic milestone. Our Board of Supervisors has made major advancements in improving the lives of County employees through collective bargaining, expanded paid sick leave and more, and I’m thrilled to be able to extend this practice to workers who are building our critical infrastructure through the first local Project Labor Agreement in Virginia.”
Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw also applauded the PLA and how its enactment will contribute to the successful completion of the project.
“Virginia’s first-ever local government Project Labor Agreement will help ensure that this critical infrastructure project is delivered and meets the needs of Fairfax residents for years to come. Treating workers fairly is the Fairfax way and I’m proud of the Board of Supervisors and leadership of DPWES for their commitment to this new approach,” Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw said.
The PLA aims to ensure workers on the project are highly skilled, have standardized working conditions and benefits, establishes a dispute resolution process, prohibits organized labor strikes during the project, and promotes the national “Helmets to Hardhats” program offering military service members, veterans, and their families career opportunities in the construction industry.
The PLA terms and conditions are part of the construction contract, and are binding on the contractor, subcontractors, and organized labor. The lessons learned from this pilot PLA project will be utilized by DPWES and other County agencies for future major capital projects.
