An Ingham County Commission Sub-Committee has approved a plan to require Project Labor Agreements for major construction projects by a 4-2 vote.

PLAs require contractors to sign a collective bargaining agreement establishing costs, standards and other workplace rules. Supporters claim they protect taxpayer dollars while opponents call them discriminatory.

The argument centers on whether or not PLAs block non-union contractors from winning county contracts. The Associated Builders & Contractors of Michigan tell wilx.com PLAs would exclude the 75% of contractors who are non-union. The organization also claims any non-union contractors who did get work under a PLA would have to pay towards union dues, pension and health care.

Supporters disagree, saying PLAs don't block non-union workers. They admit a PLA may raise the cost of a project because of union wages, but that the county would benefit in the long run because of better productivity and a higher quality of workers.

The Ingham County Finance Committee has yet to sign off on the proposal. If it does, the full county commission could vote later this month. Stay with News 10 and wilx.com for more details on the PLA proposal.