Union Contractor · Signatory Contractor · PLA Contractor NJ
The Union Advantage: union quality, competitive on private and public work.
Hiring a union contractor doesn't mean paying more for the same dirt. JR Ramco brings a highly trained, skilled and competent union workforce to private, commercial, public works and Project Labor Agreement (PLA) jobs across North Jersey.
What a union signatory contractor means for your project
Owners, developers, property managers and general contractors get the same thing from JR Ramco on every job: trained people, clear labor costs and work done right the first time.
Trained before they reach your site
Local 825 says union operating engineers "must be fully trained and experienced on real equipment in real world settings before they step foot on a job" (IUOE Local 825). Their training centers cover nearly 60 acres with more than 90 pieces of equipment, simulators and instrumentation.
Credentialed and ready day one
Local 825 describes its operators as "fully trained, experienced, credentialed and productive" and "Ready-to-work, day one" (IUOE Local 825). Less downtime when your job starts.
Clear, predictable labor costs
A union agreement "establishes clearly defined job classifications and exact wage rates" (IUOE Local 825), so the labor side of your budget holds steady.
Competitive on private work
As a signatory contractor, JR Ramco can apply for support through ELEC 825's Market Recovery Program on qualifying private projects. More below.
Ready for public works and PLAs
Registered Public Works Contractor, prevailing wage compliant and ready for Project Labor Agreement (PLA) projects.
Training the next generation
Co-sponsor of a U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program (Reg. #NJ002630001).
For private owners, developers & GCs
ELEC 825's Market Recovery Program
ELEC 825 is the labor-management fund of Operating Engineers Local 825. Its Market Recovery Program (MRP) "provides subsidies on specific non-public projects" to help signatory contractors bid more competitively in private markets where union labor is under-represented (ELEC 825).
Who it helps
ELEC 825 says that "as a signatory contractor of Operating Engineers Local 825, you are able to benefit" from the program.
Typical project types
Stand-alone retail, plazas and mixed-use centers, assisted living, warehouses, car dealerships and smaller residential, commercial and retail developments.
How grants are decided
ELEC 825 reviews each grant application "based on the size and nature of the project," and qualifying projects are limited to certain jurisdictions.
When it pays
Awards are paid when the project is complete, as long as employee benefit payments are current.
Have a private project? Tell us about it and we'll look at whether it may qualify. Final eligibility and any grant amount are decided by ELEC 825.
Project labor agreement New Jersey
Project Labor Agreement (PLA) projects in NJ
New Jersey's project labor agreement law, P.L.2002, c.44 (N.J.S.A. 52:38-1 et seq.), defines a project labor agreement as "a form of pre-hire collective bargaining agreement covering terms and conditions of a specific project" (N.J.S.A. 52:38-2).
JR Ramco is a union signatory contractor and Registered Public Works Contractor, ready to work as a PLA contractor in NJ for GCs, towns, utilities and school districts.
Prevailing wage and public works
The New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act covers public works "funded in whole or in part with the funds of a public body" (NJ DOL). JR Ramco is registered with the NJ Department of Labor as a Public Works Contractor and is a New Jersey State Certified SBE, which helps primes meet small business goals on public contracts.
Why JR Ramco
Union Shop
A highly trained, skilled and competent union workforce on every job, delivering professional, safe and compliant work.
Private and Public
Excavating, site work, underground utilities, lead service line replacement (LSLR), trucking and machine hire for owners, GCs and towns.
Organized Bids
Detailed, accurate proposals delivered on time, so your project moves forward without delays.
Frequently asked questions
What is a project labor agreement?
In New Jersey law, a project labor agreement (PLA) is "a form of pre-hire collective bargaining agreement covering terms and conditions of a specific project" (N.J.S.A. 52:38-2, P.L.2002, c.44). Public entities can use PLAs on public works projects that are subject to the New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act and estimated at $5 million or more, not counting land acquisition costs.
Is JR Ramco a PLA contractor?
Yes, JR Ramco is ready for PLA work. We are a union shop and a signatory contractor, a Registered Public Works Contractor and a New Jersey State Certified SBE, so we can work as a subcontractor or contractor on Project Labor Agreement (PLA) projects and prevailing wage public works.
Does union cost more on private jobs?
Not necessarily. ELEC 825's Market Recovery Program "provides subsidies on specific non-public projects" to help signatory contractors bid more competitively on private work. Qualifying projects include retail, plazas, mixed-use centers, assisted living, warehouses and car dealerships, and ELEC 825 reviews each application based on the size and nature of the project. (source)
What is ELEC 825's Market Recovery Program?
The Market Recovery Program (MRP) is run by ELEC 825, the labor-management fund of Operating Engineers Local 825. It gives grants to signatory contractors on qualifying private projects. According to ELEC 825, "Contractors receive their awards on completion of their projects, under the condition that benefit payments to their employees are current." (source)
What is prevailing wage in New Jersey?
Under the New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act, workers on public works projects must be paid at least the craft prevailing wage rate set by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development. NJ DOL says these rates "are wage rates based on the collective bargaining agreements established for a particular craft or trade in the locality in which the public work is performed." (source)
Do you only work on public works projects?
No. JR Ramco does private and commercial work for owners, general contractors, developers and property managers, along with municipal, public works and PLA projects.
How are union operating engineers trained?
Local 825 runs a four-year apprenticeship with a minimum of 144 hours of classroom and hands-on training each year, plus training centers with "more than 90 pieces of equipment, simulators and instrumentation." JR Ramco co-sponsors a U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program (Reg. #NJ002630001). (source)
Have a private, public works or PLA project?
Send us your plans and schedule. We'll get you an organized, accurate bid.
Sources
- ELEC 825, Market Recovery Program: subsidies on non-public projects; signatory contractor eligibility; project types; applications reviewed on size and nature; awards on completion with benefit payments current.
- IUOE Local 825, Training: trained on real equipment; nearly 60 acres; more than 90 pieces of equipment, simulators and instrumentation.
- IUOE Local 825, Apprenticeship: four-year program; minimum 144 hours of classroom and hands-on training each year.
- IUOE Local 825, Contractors: "fully trained, experienced, credentialed and productive"; "Ready-to-work, day one"; defined job classifications and wage rates.
- N.J.S.A. 52:38-2 (P.L.2002, c.44, as amended by P.L.2021, c.69): PLA definition; public works project definition; $5 million threshold.
- NJ Department of Labor, Prevailing Wage on Public Works: Prevailing Wage Act coverage; rates based on collective bargaining agreements.
- ELEC 825, PLA study news (2026): new state law expanding optional PLAs.
- JR Ramco records: NJ SBE certification; NJ DOL Public Works Contractor Registration; Local 825 good-standing letter (April 29, 2026) noting apprenticeship co-sponsorship, Reg. #NJ002630001.
Safety first on every job
For utility owners
Underground utility work, done right where no one sees it. Gas, electric, water and sewer, for utility owners, pipeline operators and their prime contractors.
Utility Owners