Public Works is committed to working with communities, contractors, and workers to build a better Los Angeles County. One tool to achieve that goal is the Community Workforce Agreement (CWA) Program which creates economic development opportunities for residents and businesses located within the County of Los Angeles. The CWA Program ensures the hiring of Local Residents and Targeted Workers and encourages the participation of Local Small Business Enterprises, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises and Social Enterprises in projects under the CWA. This Program increases access to prevailing wage employment that directly combats poverty and unemployment. Ultimately, it maximizes local economic development, and promotes equity and economic inclusion through partner coordination and comprehensive workforce and business development strategies. It is a win-win-win for the workforce, communities, and contractors.
Community Workforce Agreement is an agreement negotiated between the County of Los Angeles and various construction unions. The CWA ensures the employment of skilled and trained craft workers, including those represented by the various unions, and provides for the orderly settlement of labor disputes and grievances without the use of strikes or lockouts. Once a project is designated to be covered under the CWA, the selected contractor and all its subcontractors are bound to the terms of the CWA until the completion of the project.
On November 12, 2019, the Board of Supervisors approved a project-specific CWA for Board-designated projects. Click here for a copy of the project-specific CWA.
On June 7, 2023, the first Countywide CWA was fully executed for projects with estimated construction contract value over $5 million. Click here for a copy of the Countywide CWA.