Arizona § 34-321 - Public policy; prevailing wage contract; prohibited agreements; definitions

§ 34-321. Public policy; prevailing wage contract; prohibited agreements; definitions

A. The public interest in the rates of wages paid under public works contracts transcends local or municipal interests and is of statewide concern.

B. Agencies and political subdivisions of this state shall not by regulation, ordinance or in any other manner require public works contracts to contain a provision requiring the wages paid by the contractor or any subcontractor to be not less than the prevailing rate of wages for work of a similar nature in the state or political subdivision where the project is located.

C. Agencies and political subdivisions of this state shall not require in any public works contracts that a contractor, subcontractor, material supplier or carrier engaged in the construction, maintenance, repair or improvement of public works do any of the following as a condition of or a factor in bidding, negotiating, being awarded or performing work on a public works contract:

1. Negotiate, execute or otherwise become a party to any project labor agreement or other agreement with employees, employees' representatives or any labor organization.

2. Enter into a neutrality agreement with any labor organization.

3. Participate in or contribute to an apprenticeship program that is registered with the United States department of labor.

D. Subsection C of this section does not:

1. Prohibit private parties from entering into individual collective bargaining relationships.

2. Regulate or interfere with activity protected by law, including the national labor relations act.

E. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Agency" has the same meaning prescribed in section 41-1001.

2. "Neutrality agreement" includes an agreement to remain neutral toward any labor organization, release private employee information not required by federal labor law, allow access to property beyond what is required by federal labor law and recognize a labor organization without a secret ballot election conducted pursuant to federal labor law.

3. "Political subdivision" means a city, charter city, town, county, school district, community college district, multi-county water conservation district, industrial development authority or special taxing district established pursuant to title 48 that is primarily supported by taxes.

4. "Project labor agreement" means any prehire, collective bargaining, model construction or similar type of agreement entered into with one or more labor organizations, employees or employee representatives that establishes the terms and conditions of employment on a construction project.

5. "Public works contract" means a contract to which this state or a political subdivision is a party involving the employment of laborers, workmen or mechanics in the construction, alteration or repair of public buildings or improvements.