JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The City of Jacksonville held the final public hearing on the $1.4 billion stadium renovation deal Monday night where dozens of members from multiple local unions advocated for apprenticeship programs to be included in the language of the agreement.
Before the public hearing started, the group rallied outside city hall and leaders explained why local labor forces should be working on the stadium.
“If we’re going to build this stadium we want to build it with as many local hands, local contractors that employed registered apprenticeship," said Lance Fout, president of the North Florida Building Construction Trades Council.
These local metal workers, carpenters, plumbers and more have the skills necessary to build a stadium. However, right now, the $1.4 billion stadium renovation plan does not include specific language prioritizing local labor workforces during building.
"And what do we end up with, a lot of out-of-town license plates, building the buildings," Fout said.
Labor leaders with the North Florida Central Labor Council believe including apprenticeship programs in the stadium deal would give local workers an opportunity to train and gain hands-on experience.
It’s something that Councilman Jimmy Peluso, who represents the district the stadium is in, believes is a good idea.
“I would love to see that, right we have all these folks that are blue-collar workers, folks who we want to keep in our city and make sure that they’re getting a little bit of time to be a part of this massive project," said Peluso.
In a statement, Mayor Donna Deegan said she has developed plans to increase the number of local apprentices working on the stadium renovation, but gave no details on if language would be included in the deal to ensure that happens.
The full statement is listed below:
“The City of Jacksonville, the Jaguars, and local construction leaders have developed a plan to increase the number of local apprentices working on the stadium renovation, and we will continue working together to grow apprenticeship participation in the largest public infrastructure investment in Jacksonville history.”
“If we’re going to spend taxpayer money there should be local contractors and one way to ensure that is let’s put apprenticeship language into the contract," Fout said.
The council is expected to vote on the deal Tuesday, June 25.