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State Center Trustees Render Split Decision on Future of PLAs
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 3 weeks ago on
April 2, 2025

The SCCCD board agreed to study a prior PLA but won't change its committee to negotiate labor contracts for construction projects. (GV Wire Composite)

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The board of trustees representing the Fresno area’s community colleges rendered a split decision on the future of labor contracts for construction projects.

Robert Fuentes, SCCCD Trustee

“I am opposed to re-litigating matters that were already decided by a majority of the board literally just one month ago.”Robert Fuentes, trustee, State Center Community College District

At Tuesday’s meeting, the State Center Community College District board agreed to study a pilot Project Labor Agreement but refused to change the makeup of a committee to negotiate labor deals for future construction.

At stake is how to spend nearly $700 million for construction projects. Last year, voters approved Measure Q, funded through bonds and paid by property taxes.

PLAs, contracts between a government agency and union representation, spell out hiring practices and other parameters. Unions say this helps keep projects on time, and on budget, with quality workers. However, PLAs do not dictate labor rates, as those are set by state policy.

Last month, the SCCCD board started the PLA process on a 4-3 vote. Technically, the board instructed staff to start negotiations between unions and the district and bring a proposal back to the board for a vote.

The board also named trustees Danielle Parra, Magdalena Gomez and Robert Fuentes — the trio who proposed the PLA — to sit on the negotiating committee.

A vote to change the membership failed by a 4-3 vote Tuesday evening during the meeting at Fresno City College.

However, the board unanimously approved a proposal from Trustee Deborah Ikeda to form a study session to examine the pilot PLA — in place for the recently-built Fresno City College west campus.

Committee Membership to Remain

Ikeda proposed placing Austin Ewell on the committee to provide a “balanced perspective.” He would have replaced one of the current three members.

Nasreen Johnson Portrait

“I think that we piss away the trust of the community if we don’t do things in a way that’s transparent and open.” — Nasreen Johnson, trustee, State Center Community College District

They were joined by Nasreen Johnson in the failed effort.

Parra, Gomez and Fuentes all received previous campaign contributions from union interests.

Destiny Rodriguez joined Parra, Gomez, and Fuentes in keeping the committee as is.

Fuentes, who is running for Fresno City Council in 2026, found no reason to revisit the issue.

“I am opposed to re-litigating matters that were already decided by a majority of the board literally just one month ago,” Fuentes said.

Johnson objected to the process of creating the committee. She called for a “diverse level of voices.”

“I think that we piss away the trust of the community if we don’t do things in a way that’s transparent and open,” she said.

Fuentes objected to the premise of a lack of transparency, as he did last month.

The vote against changing the committee followed along the lines of last month’s vote to establish it in the first place.

Construction Industry Opposes

PLAs are generally supported by labor, and opposed by many contractor and business groups. Since the March 4 vote to establish a PLA at the district, both sides held internal meetings on how to best advocate for their positions.

The construction industry said PLAs increase costs and shut out employees from working on projects without joining a union.

Several speakers — including Clint Olivier, CEO of BizFed Central Valley (and an elected member of the Clovis Unified school board, which does not have a PLA policy) — spoke against PLAs at Tuesday’s meeting.

John Morris, president/CEO of industry group Associated Builders and Contractors Northern California, said his group is “preparing to file multiple lawsuits against this district to block the PLA.”

A recent progress report for the city of Fresno’s PLA showed the agreement failed to meet local hiring goals.

Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed SB 984, which would extend PLA requirements to the Judicial Council and the California State University system.

“While I am generally supportive of PLAs as an option for public works projects, the new requirements proposed in this bill could result in additional cost pressures that were not accounted for in this year’s budget,” Newsom wrote in his veto message.

No pro-PLA supporters from the public spoke at the meeting.

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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