PORT HURON - The St. Clair County Board of Commissioners on June 27 voted 7-0 to approve a project labor agreement with building trade unions governing the construction of a $32 million Jail/Juvenile Center.

Project labor agreements aren't unusual in some parts of the state, but they are here. In fact, the vote to approve a PLA is remarkable because this region has typically been lukewarm at best when it comes to supporting union construction activity.

"We've been pushing for this facility over the last two years," said St. Clair County Board of Commissioners Chair Juanita Gittings, "and we're finally at the point where we're ready to go ahead with construction. We want the best building possible, and I think the best way to go is to use workers who are paid fair wages and benefits. They're the ones who have the knowledge and skill to get the job done right."

Steve Ellery, business representative with Painters Local 1474 in Port Huron, said the vote is part of a pro-union trend in the local construction industry that he and others have been cultivating. Ellery attempts to further that effort through his seat on the County Board of Commissioners - and of course, the June 27 resolution got a "yea" vote from him.

Also voting for the PLA were commissioners Patricia Anger, Edward Schultz, Patrick Quain, Lee Masters and Don Dodge.

"For the longest time, this was anti-union country," Ellery said. "But there were two projects that really turned things around for us - the second (Blue Water) bridge and the rail tunnel that have been built in the last few years. Those jobs really opened some eyes around here and showed how union labor gets things done."

There were two other projects that may have opened some eyes in the community. One was a debacle: the expansion and renovation of a local paper mill in 1993, which was done by a consortium of out-of-town, nonunion contractors. The contractors accepted state grant that included taxpayer funds to perform the work, then hired hundreds of out-of-town workers and paid them substandard wages.

The Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council brought legal action against the contractor consortium for discriminating against union workers and refusing to hire them because of their legal affiliation. The trades won a $1.15 million penalty awarded by the National Labor Relations Board.

The other was a near-debacle: The construction of the St. Clair County Administrative Building about two years ago. Built mostly nonunion, shoddy work on the project prompted the county to call in union contractors, who made repairs and completed the project.

Ellery said there will be several more opportunities for unions to expand their work opportunities in the area, with a proposed casino, three new powerhouses and other work planned for the region. He said five painting and drywall contractors have signed union contracts since January.

"We've tried to change the environment for unions, and we're doing that," Ellery said.

Electrical Workers Local 58 is another local union that has made great strides in organizing and improving market share in the Blue Water Area.

"Since 1997 we made the decision to devote two organizers to the Port Huron area, Gary Polulak and Mike Moran," said Local 58 Business Manager Jeff Radjewski. "And frankly, they've done great, in terms of selling union labor, and in terms of getting involved in the community. When it comes to organizing and securing more work, you don't just wave a magic wand, you have to earn trust and respect. This is one project that shows their work is paying off."

LANGUAGE STIPULATING the use of a project labor agreement for construction of the St. Clair County Jail/Juvenile Center was approved and placed in a frame on June 27. Present the next day were (l-r) IBEW Local 58 Business Manager Jeff Radjewski, Greater Detroit Building and Construction Trades Council Secretary-Treas. Patrick Devlin, commission Chair Juanita Giddings, Commissioners Steve Ellery, Patricia Anger, and Edward Schultz, and Administrator/Controller Troy Feltman.