Bayonne Passes Historic PLA Ordinance Championed by Davis Team

Mayor Davis: PLA Will Ensure Bayonne’s Renaissance Benefits All Working Families

BAYONNE, NJ — The Bayonne City Council voted unanimously last night to pass a historic ordinance mandating that major private development projects in the city employ union labor. Championed by Mayor Jimmy Davis and his Council team, the Project Labor Agreement (PLA) ordinance applies to developments valued at over $15 million that receive city tax incentives. The law includes a provision that 20% of workers hired at construction sites be members of local Bayonne and Hudson County-based labor unions. This will ensure that local residents are able to share in the prosperity now arriving in the city with $2.5 billion in new real estate value on its way to Bayonne. 

“I’m proud to see Bayonne embrace the hardworking men and women of union labor who built our city and our country by passing one of the most sweeping and effective union labor mandates in the state,” said Mayor Davis. “Bayonne is in the middle of a complete revitalization that will mean $10 million in new tax revenue and higher property values for homeowners when it’s all said and done, and now we’ve made sure that local Bayonne workers will also be some of the primary beneficiaries of our city’s renaissance.”

Shortly after taking office four years ago, the Davis administration began an aggressive economic development initiative designed to attract new construction to the city to increase revenue. With city finances plagued by a massive structural deficit, Mayor Davis knew that the city could not make the investments it needed in services, parks and infrastructure without new revenue. By employing tax incentive programs and modernizing the city’s zoning map to boost development near the city’s Light Rail stations, the Davis administration successfully attracted dozens of major developers to invest in the city.

“On behalf of the City Council, I am incredibly proud that we have taken this action along with Mayor Davis to help our neighbors get back to work and do it right here in our city,” said Council President Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski. “Bayonne has always been a place that takes pride in our blue collar roots, and this ordinance honors that history while looking to the bright future we’re building together.”

Dozens of union members representing several different local unions attended last night’s Council meeting to express their support for the PLA ordinance and thanks to the Davis team.