Binghamton Mayor Richard David is putting a halt to a measure that would guarantee that work on a major construction project in the area be handed to union workers only.

The mayor vetoed the Project Labor Agreement narrowly passed by Binghamton City Council.

The Republican said having an open-bid process for the work on the Binghamton/Johnson City Joint Sewage Treatment Plant would be in the best interest of local taxpayers, but admits it opens the way for non-local bidders.

David said neither a PLA nor open bidding would guarantee keeping local labor on the job and money in the region.

The PLA on the $200 million rehabilitation project also required the approval of Johnson City, which co-owns the sewage plant with Binghamton.

Supporters of the agreement had feared if the PLA failed, work on the project could be delayed opening the owners up to the potential for hefty daily fines for violation Environmental Protection Agencies regulations on discharge from the plant.  The facility had been granted temporary waivers as it worked to repair the extensive damage from the 2011 flood.

 

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