Landmark 'Community Workforce Training Agreement' will ensure strong local

participation in construction of new downtown entertainment and sports complex

SACRAMENTO – Today, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson joined Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, Sacramento Kings President Chris Granger, Sacramento-Sierra Building and Construction Trades Council President Dennis Canevari and other top region and state leaders to announce the signing of the Community Workforce and Training Agreement (CWTA).

The CWTA will govern the hiring, training, and oversight of an estimated 3,000 to 3,500 on-site workers during the construction of the new downtown entertainment and sport center (ESC). Signatories to the agreement are Turner Construction and the Sacramento-Sierra Building & Construction Trades Council.

As part of the CWTA, the parties agree to target hiring at least 60% of construction workers and 70% of apprentices from the City of Sacramento and surrounding region.

"Today's announcement is proof positive that business and labor stand united in their commitment to this project and its transformative economic potential for the Sacramento region," said Mayor Johnson. "The arena is first and foremost about creating jobs, and I'm thrilled to see the Kings, Turner, and Building Trades demonstrating such a strong commitment to putting our community back to work."

"The promise of Sacramento's entertainment and sports center becoming a premier project for the region can only be realized with skilled craftsmen and women constructing the arena. The value goes beyond providing solid middle-class jobs," said Steinberg. "Time and time again since the 1930's, workforce agreements have been proven to save money for taxpayers and investors through construction efficiency and high quality. Our workers and our residents deserve nothing less."

"We are excited to reach this agreement a full year before construction begins," said Granger. "The CWTA will not only ensure that we build the best arena in the NBA on time and on budget, but also that our region fully benefits from good paying construction jobs."

"Sacramento building trades workers are some of the best trained and best equipped in the nation, and now they will play an important role in the construction of this important civic space," said Canevari. "The CWTA is a significant moment for the business-labor relations in Sacramento. During the week of Labor Day, we are proud to announce and be a part of this community partnership."

"This is a major step forward as we get ready for the construction of a new, state-of-the-art building," explained Chuck Baldwin, Project Executive for Turner Construction. "I'm excited about today's progress and can't wait to get shovels in the ground."

Several key provisions of the CWTA seek to ensure the safe, timely, and cost-effective construction of the new entertainment and sports complex. Under the provisions of the CWTA, the building trades unions will oversee the dispatching of all on-site construction workers and be accountable for ensuring a steady supply of highly skilled and highly trained personnel. The CWTA also includes robust "no strike" and "no lockout" provisions to minimize or eliminate risks of project delays and associated cost overruns caused by labor disputes and grievances.

Through partnerships with local pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, the CWTA plans to maximize participation from new and early-stage construction workers, particularly from disadvantaged communities within the Sacramento region. In addition, the CWTA outlines a partnership with the Helmets to Hardhats program – a national program that connects National Guard, Reserve, retired and transitioning active-duty military services members to training and career opportunities in the construction industry. As part of this partnership, Turner Construction will agree to make a $10,000 contribution to the Center for Military Recruitment, Assessment and Veterans.

Turner Construction is currently working with the Kings, ICON Venue Group, AECOM and City of Sacramento on the design and pre-construction phases of the project. Turner expects to break ground on the new facility in the fall of 2014 with an opening date in the fall of 2016.