Body of News Release
UPDATE 1/20/26: The Board approved the project labor agreement.
Marin County, CA – A proposed project labor agreement (PLA) designed to expand apprenticeship opportunities, prioritize local hiring, and keep construction dollars in Marin County will go before the Board of Supervisors on January 20 as part of the Marin County Fire Headquarters project.
If approved, the PLA would establish clear workforce standards for the project, including strong apprenticeship requirements, local hiring priorities, and workforce training provisions designed to keep construction jobs and public investment local. The agreement is the result of several months of negotiations between County staff and regional construction trades organizations and is consistent with prior Board direction.
“Project labor agreements help ensure that large public projects create real, lasting benefits for the local community by creating local jobs and training a workforce that is ready to meet Marin’s needs,” said County Executive Derek Johnson. “This agreement emphasizes apprenticeships and local hiring so Marin residents can build skills, access good-paying jobs, and keep public dollars circulating in our local economy.”
Investing in the Local Workforce
Key provisions of the proposed PLA include:
- Apprenticeship and training requirements that support state-approved joint apprenticeship programs, creating pathways for new workers to enter the skilled trades
- Local hiring goals with priority for Marin County residents
- Veterans employment provisions, including participation in programs such as Helmets to Hardhats
- Compliance with California’s Skilled and Trained Workforce requirements, ensuring a qualified and experienced workforce
Together, these provisions are intended to expand workforce opportunities, strengthen the local construction labor pool, and ensure that taxpayer-funded construction dollars support local workers and families.
Supporting Timely, Cost-Effective Delivery
The proposed PLA is project-specific and limited to the Fire Headquarters project at San Geronimo Commons. It includes provisions to prevent strikes or work stoppages, promote labor stability, and streamline labor compliance, helping protect the project schedule and control costs. Each month of delay to the project is estimated to add approximately $250,000 in costs.
County staff will present an overview of the agreement at the January 20 meeting and seek Board authorization for the County Executive, or their designee, to execute the PLA. If approved, staff will return to the Board in February with updates on the next phase of the project’s progressive design-build procurement process.
Meeting Information
The Board of Supervisors will meet on Tuesday, January 20, at 9 AM, with opportunities for public comment. The meeting will be held in person and via videoconference to support public access and participation.
During renovations to the Civic Center’s Board Chamber, the meeting will take place at the Showcase Theater, 20 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael (94903). The meeting will be televised live on Comcast/Xfinity Channel 27 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99, and livestreamed on MarinCounty.gov. Agendas and meeting materials are also available on the County’s website.