The letter from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), "Union deal would inflate cost of Wilson Bridge" (Sept. 1) only compounds the inaccuracies about unions and project labor agreements (PLAs) put forth in your editorial, "No 'union only' Wilson Bridge" (Aug. 29). As the general president of the Laborers' International Union of North America, one of the largest unions in the construction industry, let me point out some facts overlooked by the ABC, Virginia Gov. James S. Gilmore III and The Washington Times.

Despite the claims forwarded by Mr. Gilmore, the ABC and The Times, union involvement is far more likely to hold steady or decrease the estimated costs. Not only would a PLA stabilize labor costs, but a 15-state study showed that paying lower wages does not lead to lower project costs. In fact, the study pointed out that where states paid the prevailing wage, as Maryland would do under a PLA, taxpayers saw a cost savings. There are three factors that contribute to this.

First, union labor is better trained and, as a result, more productive. The Laborers' International Union of North America provides extensive apprenticeship and career training programs, keeping our members up to date on the latest construction techniques, equipment and safety procedures. Our members know how to do their jobs well - without endangering the lives or property of others.

Second, higher wages, health benefits and pension benefits that will be included in a PLA will attract the best workers - union or otherwise. Laborers want to work on the Wilson Bridge, but no worker should be bilked out of fair wages and benefits by the members of the ABC. Additionally, nonunion workers will be able to apply for union membership and upgrade their skills with union-sponsored training.

Finally, a Wilson Bridge PLA will mean a reinvestment of capital into the greater Washington area. Under a PLA, jobs will go to local workers, meaning that area residents, their families and communities will benefit. The Laborers' Union is committed to ensuring that local communities benefit from a capital investment of this size. Because a project labor agreement will ensure that workers earn a living wage as well as benefits, the Wilson Bridge will boost the already booming local economy.

Union labor is the best trained construction work force, contrary to the claims of the ABC, Mr. Gilmore and The Washington Times. Before you trust Mr. Gilmore to make another major transportation decision, I would suggest a drive on the Springfield interchange. In the first 18 months of construction, the Gilmore administration announced cost overruns of $300 million to $500 million. It's no wonder Mr. Gilmore and the ABC don't want to stabilize wages. Then they would lose their scapegoats for mismanagement and incompetence. People of the District, Maryland and Virginia should not have to suffer through more Gilmore-ABC glibness on gridlock.

TERENCE M. O'SULLIVAN

General President

Copyright 2000 News World Communications, Inc.