NEWS

December 17, 2010
Gov. Culver: Statement on Master Builders of Iowa requests

In response to letters sent by the Master Builders of Iowa to media outlets and the directors of the Iowa Departments of Corrections and Veterans Affairs regarding major construction projects in Mitchellville and Marshalltown,

Governor Chet Culver has issued this response: “The Master Builders of Iowa lost their appeal regarding construction of the Iowa State Penitentiary in court and through other processes and are now apparently determined to try their case by issuing press releases.

The reality is that Project Labor Agreements in Iowa work. They’re working in Fort Madison and in Iowa City. PLAs ensure the State’s ability to complete major projects on time and within budget while providing good-paying jobs to hardworking Iowa men and women in the construction trades.”

Master Builders of Iowa lost two efforts to block awarding a contract for construction of the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. The first was in Iowa district court when the judge dismissed the case because Master Builders had not completed its appeal process to an Administrative Law Judge. The second loss was through the appeals process, where the Administrative Law Judge determined the State had appropriately conducted the bidding process.

These actions are consistent with other decisions regarding protests from Master Builders over projects involving PLAs, including Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Additionally, the Iowa Supreme Court has ruled that Project Labor Agreements are legal.

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