85% of construction workers and 95% of minority-owned contractors [within Washington DC’s non-union workforce] were left out of work.

WHAT HAPPENED

In accordance with DC City Council Bill 02-488, the project failed to meet local hiring goals and MBWE workforce goals and to minimize barriers to entry for workers.

74

Percent of higher paid journeymen hours went to non-residents

RESULTS

According to the November 2009 DC Progress report, here was the true cost of the failed Washington Nationals Ballpark Project Labor Agreement: 

  • Within Washington DC’s non-union workforce, “…85% of construction workers and 95% of minority-owned contractors were left out of work.”
  • Instead, non-DC residents, “worked 506,926 journeyperson hours,” and “…74% of the higher paid journeymen hours went to non-residents.”
  • The cost of the ballpark was almost more than double the initial cost estimate of $395 million because the union-only PLA increased costs by reducing the pool of potential bidders.