Richmond Grand Resort and Casino – the proposed casino should the referendum be won – has struck a deal with the Richmond Area Building and Construction Trades Council for the construction of the property.
The Project Labor Agreement has been reached to “ensure jobs with family-sustaining wages and benefits” for those who will work on the proposed construction of the Richmond Grand.
While a PLA has been agreed ahead of the referendum set to take place in November, there was no such agreement in place as part of the 2021 project proposal that was rejected at the polls.
Tierra Ward, Campaign Manager for the Richmond Wins, Vote Yes referendum campaign, commented: “Richmonders told us they want Richmond Grand to create great career opportunities, and now a project labor agreement has been reached that will ensure fair wages and benefits, promote local hiring, protect small, women, and minority contractors, and create apprenticeship opportunities so that Richmonders of all experience levels can begin a lucrative career in the building trades.
“We are committed to ensuring that Richmond Grand creates good paying careers from the day we break ground to the day Richmond Grand opens its doors and beyond.”
The PLA – the Trades Council claims – will allow contractors to bid to work on the construction project and help to promote apprenticeship opportunities and work for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Amongst other benefits, the Trades Council notes that the PLA will help to improve safety standards on-site, and prevent the exploitation of vulnerable workers.
“I am a city resident and like many in the trades I live, work and play in Richmond,” added Charles Skelly, President of the Richmond Building and Construction Trades Council and the CEO of IBEW 666.
“My daughter attends Richmond public school. This project is good for the city for many reasons, and the most important reason to me is the jobs building and operating the resort, casino, and entertainment facility.
“Not just any jobs, but careers with family-sustaining wages, health care coverage without a paycheck deduction and the ability to one day retire with dignity.”
Earlier this week, the Yes campaign earned a big victory by garnering the support of the Richmond Crusade for Voters.
The referendum is a re-run of the 2021 election in which voters in the city were asked if they approve of legalizing a land-based casino. Churchill Downs and Urban One would be the operator of the half-billion-dollar resort.
