The proposed amendments would lower the threshold for project labor agreements to $3 million and allow commissioners to require the agreements on smaller public works projects at the board’s discretion, according to county records.

The Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to hold a public hearing at 5:15 p.m. on June 9 on the proposed changes. Following the hearing, the county can send the amendments to the state Division of Local Government Services for approval.

Project labor agreements are pre-hire collective bargaining agreements that set wages and benefits, apprentice ratios, safety requirements and other labor rules before construction begins. Consequently, they can help preempt work stoppages, strikes and other disruptive activity.

Passaic County adopted its current policy in June 2024 after local construction unions pushed for broader labor protections on county projects. The agreement, negotiated with local union representatives and officials from the Passaic County Building and Construction Trades Council, applied to county public works projects of more than $5 million.

The agreement was paired with a responsible contractor and subcontractor policy for county construction projects. That policy required bidders on public construction contracts over $250,000 to show proper registration and authorization for the work, including compliance with state finance, labor, safety, training and licensing requirements, county records show.

County officials said at the time that the labor policy would help secure skilled and experienced workers, prevent costly delays and improve job opportunities for Passaic County residents, with an emphasis on opportunities for women and minorities.

One of the first projects carried out under the policy was the Highlands Regional Service Center in West Milford, a $5.3 million county facility that opened in April 2026 with public health, behavioral health and senior nutrition services for northern Passaic County residents.

The proposed update to the county policy follows a change in state law that eliminated New Jersey’s $5 million threshold for project labor agreements. Public entities can now use the agreements on public works projects of any size.

The county’s resolution says the existing policy has helped retain contractors with a skilled workforce and put county residents to work on public projects. The proposed amendments would broaden that policy to cover more county construction work.

Proponents, including county officials, say project labor agreements can benefit workers and taxpayers by setting pay and working conditions in advance while reducing the risk of delays once work begins. However, opponents have criticized the agreements for restricting qualified bidders and giving union contractors an advantage in the bidding process.