Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, January 11, 2001

1407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 11, 2001 CONTACT: David Marin (Davis) (202) 225-6751 Jill Homan (Ehrlich) (202)225-3061 EHRLICH, DAVIS JOIN TO OPPOSE UNION-ONLY AGREEMENT FOR NEW WOODROW WILSON BRIDGE GLENDENING’S MESSAGE IS CLEAR: NON-UNION AND MINORITY CONTRACTORS NEEDNOTAPPLY WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressmen Bob Ehrlich (MD-2) and Tom Davis (VA-1 1) today announced their strong opposition to the union-only project labor agreement (PLA) issued by Maryland Governor Parris Glendening for the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Congressman Ehrlich stated, “Governor Glendening has decided in a closed door union meeting that fair and open competition has no place in Maryland. Under the recently released PLA, Parris Glendening has made it clear that non-union and minority contractors need not apply. I am disappointed that Governor Glendening has put political paybacks ahead of Maryland taxpayers and workers” The Woodrow Wilson Bridge PLA ultimately forces contractors to unionize since workers can only participate in the project if they accept unwanted union representation. For example, nearly all hiring must be done through union halls. In addition, contractors must contribute to union “fringe benefit plans.” “Securing full federal funding for the new Wilson Bridge was a huge victory for the region’s Congressional delegation and the hundreds of thousands of motorists who will cross it each day,” Davis said. “Attaching a PLA to the project can only serve to diminish and delay that victory. Reducing the number of contractors eligible to bid on the contract is a loss for commuters, a frustration for those of us who have worked to secure full federal funding for the project, and a real obstacle in the way of achieving a financing agreement between the two states.” Virginia Governor Gilmore stated, "It is unfortunate that this agreement has been entered into