New Jersey City University (NJCU) and the Hudson County Construction and Building Trades Council extended their project labor agreement (PLA) through January 1st, 2027 during a ceremony on campus yesterday.
The original agreement, signed on January 31st, 2023, made NJCU the first public university in the state to execute such a PLA, which authorizes all university construction projects that exceed $5 million to be completed by union labor.
Tuesday’s agreement, signed by NJCU Interim President Andrés Acebo and Hudson Building Trades President Patrick Kelleher, extends that partnership through at least January 1st, 2027.
“The extension of our project labor agreement and memorandum of understanding with the Hudson County Building and Construction Trades Council represents a continuation of one of our university’s most valued partnerships. When I took office in January 2023, this was the first agreement we reached—a testament to its importance to our institution’s vision for the future,” Acebo said in a statement.
“The Hudson County Building Trades have consistently demonstrated their commitment to our university’s indispensable mission of educational and community development. This extension ensures that as we continue to grow and evolve as an institution, as we build our second century, we do so with partners who understand and support our mission and the community we are privileged to serve.”
Acebo and Kelleher were joined at the ceremony by Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), and HCBT leadership, including Vice President Thomas Hurley (Carpenter Local 253), Recording Secretary DJ Heal (Electricians Local 164) and HCBT Trustees Jimmy Kearns (DC 21 tapers) and Frank Alvarez (DC 21 Painters).
The PLA agreement memorializes NJCU’s commitment to partnering with Hudson County community leaders so that its diverse, local residents are able to take part in economic opportunities provided by future university construction projects.
Meanwhile, the memorandum of understanding continues a program which opens university students to internship and/or externship opportunities to gain meaningful experiences.
“This continues to be a fantastic partnership. The Hudson County Building Trades have an opportunity to build projects here at NJCU where we truly have a personal connection. Many of our Building Trades members, their kids, and their families went to this institution and will now work on projects where they live. This doesn’t just benefit Jersey City, but the entire county and its surrounding communities,” added Kelleher.
“What makes this even more significant is that we don’t have project labor agreements on other campuses. We are thankful for the commitment of President Acebo and his team and their support of organized labor. This partnership represents what’s possible when institutions recognize the value of skilled union workers in their community.”
O’Dea called the PLA renewal “absolutely critical” and commended both sides for extended the PLA for about another two years.
“This commitment was essential when this agreement was signed two years ago, and it’s even more crucial as it is renewed today. NJCU has demonstrated remarkable leadership and courage in forming these partnerships,” he noted.
“Working hand-in-hand with building trade unions isn’t just a good choice—it’s a fundamental component of successful capital projects that deliver lasting value to the university and our entire community.”