by Lannie Walker

Guam - Senator Frank Blas, Jr. wrote a letter to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in reference to unintended impacts that Presidential Executive Order 13-502 will have on Guam if it is exercised in military construction projects locally. Blas says because of Guam's size, location and population, projects at this magnitude will have an impact on the community.

He says although it doesn't mandate the use of project labor agreements for federal construction projects in excess of $25 million, the office is still required to report to Congress to establish and promote the use of PLAs as they relate to construction projects. He adds that while construction relating to the buildup occurs within military installations, the work will also go on in the civilian community.

Earlier this week, the Guam Contractor's Association said there are some concerns with our local construction workforce because it may require the organization to unionize in order to be considered for projects.

Because the group doesn't belong to union, the workforce may be displaced.