TVA and North America’s Building Trades Unions announced Thursday a historic 10-year extension of their Project Labor Agreements to keep low-cost, reliable energy flowing to more than 10 million residents of the Tennessee Valley.

“TVA and the Building & Trade Unions have been partners since TVA’s inception,” said TVA President and CEO Jeff Lyash. “TVA was built by trades and labor workers.  Until now, the customary extension period for Project Labor Agreements has been five years. This first-ever 10-year agreement will extend into 2031. It is historic in length and represents a commitment to our partnership.”

The PLAs designate NABTU as the official bargaining unit for all TVA partner contractors that utilize represented skill craftsmanship. They cover the terms and conditions of employment on projects, such as quality of work, productivity and timely completion. Competitive advantages for both TVA and its union partners include prevailing wage agreements, shared understanding of work rules and priority in referrals and resolution of labor shortages.

TVA and the building and trade unions have been partners since TVA’s inception, with TVA dams, generating plants, transmission lines and facilities all being built by trades and labor workers.     

“TVA and NABTU have set the standard for successful labor management cooperation for almost 90 years,” said North America’s Building Trades Unions’ President Sean McGarvey. “All other successful models replicate this partnership where workers have a seat at the table, and we work together to create and maintain middle-class family sustaining jobs and bring affordable power and economic development to families and business in the Valley.”

“With this agreement, we begin writing the next chapter in the continuing story of our enduring partnership and outstanding success together,” added Mr. Lyash.

TVA is the largest employer in the Southeast of NABTU-represented trades and labor workers. During outages and construction, TVA can employ 5,000 or more NABTU workers.

The following unions are covered by the PLAs:

International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers
Laborers’ International Union of North America
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
International Union of Operating Engineers
International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades
United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada
United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers  and Allied Workers
Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America