Unions go after AZAGC
In the latest salvo between the Arizona Chapter Associated General Contractors and the unions, the unions have accused AZAGC of misleading the ACC’s Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting (line siting committee). Counsel for the union trades and union companies submitted this letter. The letter is asking the Arizona Corporation Commission to insert project labor agreement language in the Solar Reserve Application. The letter takes swipes at AZAGC stating that the association is promoting “…boogeyman union hysteria..”. Let’s ask two simple questions. Why should any contractor have to “negotiate” in “good faith” where “good faith” is defined by the unions? Why would the Arizona Corporation Commission require a contractor to negotiate with trade unions?
Last year, AZAGC successfully convinced the line siting committee that they did not have legislative authority to require an applicant to negotiate in good faith with the unions as a condition of the certificate of environmental compatibility. BTW another question: Why is labor part of environmental compatibility?
Senator Shooter and Representative Harper have introduced legislation clarifying that the line siting committee does not have authority to inject labor matters into the environmental certification. AZAGC supports this legislation and will work to ensure its passage.
