Regions West
Officials Green Light $1.8B for LA Airport Projects
July 8, 2008
By: Barbra Murray, Contributing Editor

Los Angeles International Airport is undergoing a massive multi-phase makeover and the city's Board of Airport Commissioners has just authorized approximately $1.8 billion to cover projects encompassed in the initial stage of the airport's capital improvement program, which is being conducted under Los Angeles World Airports' Project Labor Agreement. .

The labor agreement was negotiated with a list of organizations including the Los Angeles/Orange County Building and Construction Trades Council, the AFL-CIO's Building and Construction Trades Department, the Building and Construction Trades Council of California, as well as various unions. The accord essentially guarantees fair wages and acceptable working conditions for those employed for the construction program, uniform working regulations and conditions for all major construction projects, and as well as the employment of affected local residents during pertinent public works construction activity. Other stipulations include the incorporation of expeditious dispute resolution processes and the establishment of joint labor-management communities to promote communication among officials and residents.

Among the projects falling under the labor agreement for LAX's comprehensive renovation endeavor are two crossfield taxiway developments and six terminal gate undertakings.

Aspects of the airport's upgrade run the gamut. Most recent news includes plans for a $15 million renovation of the airport's landmark Theme Building. It is unclear if the project falls under the new labor agreement, but the newly announced selection of Tower General Contractors--the largest minority-owned general contractor in Los Angeles County--reflects the spirit of the agreement, which necessitates non-discriminatory employment practices. Tower General will begin work on the historic structure in August for completion one year later. Upgrade activity will include seismic retrofitting and the replacement of the exterior along the building's four arches.

 
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