This keeps coming up, so here's the union-side view. I'd welcome the non-union contractors here to correct me where it's different for them.
Prevailing wage is a floor. On covered public work, everyone gets at least the published rate for their trade and county, union or not.
A project labor agreement is a different thing. It's an agreement for a specific project, usually a big one, about labor terms: hiring through the trades, how disputes get handled, no strikes. You'll hear about them on large public construction.
If you're an apprentice and you land on one of these jobs, a few things will be new: sign-in sheets, long safety orientations, and someone checking that your classification matches your paperwork. Bring your ID, bring your card, wear your glasses. Stay safe.
Mechanical contractor (HVAC + plumbing) · 24 years · Burlington County, NJ
Mentor
Mostly right, and thanks for asking for the other side. One thing I'd adjust: it isn't every public job. There are thresholds and exceptions, and the state's site spells them out. From the non-union side, the certified payroll is the real cost of public work, not the wages. On PLAs, I'll just say not every contractor thinks they're good for competition, and leave it there.
Electrical inspector (former contractor) · 26 years · Ocean County, NJ
Mentor
From the inspection side: whatever the labor terms are, the code doesn't change. I've seen people on public jobs assume the rules are different because the paperwork is. Check which code edition is in effect for the project, and read the project specs, which sometimes ask for more than code.
Foreman, Inside Wireman (IBEW) · 19 years · Morris County, NJ
Mentor
Not at an apprentice rate unless you're in a registered program, as I understand it. That's a question for your instructor and the state's rules, though. Finish school first. The jobs will still be there.
Foreman, Inside Wireman (IBEW) · 19 years · Morris County, NJ
Mentor
Fair correction on the thresholds, and I appreciate you keeping it civil. Plenty of people on my side would say the same thing about PLAs from the other direction.
This is very helpful. My teacher mentioned PLAs once and moved on. When you say classification has to match your paperwork, does that mean a student couldn't work on one of these at all?
1st-year apprentice, UA · 1 year · Essex County, NJ
1st year in 24, did a week on a public school job in july. the sign-in sheet thing is real. the safety orientation was 3 hours and half of it was ladders lol