N.J. contractor seeks to pause bidding on Gateway Tunnel viaduct contract
(UI) - George Harms Construction Co. has filed suit in federal court seeking to halt bidding on a key Gateway Tunnel contract, arguing that the current project labor agreement (PLA) excludes the union representing its workforce and prevents the firm from competing fairly. According to NJ.com, the lawsuit, filed Nov. 18, asks for a temporary restraining order to freeze the procurement process until the dispute is resolved.
The contract at issue involves construction of a 7,540-ft viaduct that will connect the future Hudson River rail tunnel to the Northeast Corridor line in New Jersey. Harms is one of four firms shortlisted by the Gateway Development Commission (GDC) earlier this year. The company says it filed a formal protest over the PLA and requested an extension of the Dec. 10 bid deadline but has not received a decision or updated schedule, NJ.com reported.
Attorneys for Harms claim the PLA’s exclusion of the United Steelworkers is politically motivated, while GDC officials have said that all shortlisted bidders may participate as long as their unions agree to the agreement. The commission declined to comment on the litigation.
The dispute comes as the Gateway program faces external delays following a federal freeze on reimbursements for several project contracts pending regulatory review. Harms has previously raised similar PLA concerns on other public infrastructure contracts, including the Scudders Falls bridge project.
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