Alaska contractor challenges mandate forcing union agreements on federal projects

Anchorage, Alaska; November 5, 2025: An Alaska contractor filed a federal lawsuit today challenging an executive branch mandate that forces businesses to sign union agreements to qualify for federal construction work. Bill Slayden, who built his plumbing company from a garage startup into a 60-person operation, is now blocked from bidding on the federal projects that generate over 80 percent of his revenue unless his company submits to this unlawful mandate. 

“In recent decades both Democrat and Republican presidents have claimed sweeping authority to impose labor policies that Congress never enacted,” said Kerry Hunt, an attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation, which represents Slayden free of charge. “In their view, the federal Procurement Act delegates unlimited power to pursue whatever labor policy they might like—from raising the minimum wage government contractors must pay to imposing mandates to enter labor agreements with unions. This blatant overreach violates the separation of powers designed to protect our liberty.” 

Executive Order 14063—issued by President Biden in 2022 and continued by the Trump administration—requires contractors on federal projects over $35 million to enter project labor agreements (PLAs) with unions. As a subcontractor, Slayden has no right to negotiate these agreements—the company must accept terms written entirely by others. The mandate has also created an environment in which Slayden’s employees must affiliate with unions, something they have repeatedly declined to do because Slayden provides a robust benefits package. 

Slayden has already withdrawn bids for two projects at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson because of the PLA mandate. The company filed suit to restore its right to compete for federal work and defend the constitutional limits on executive power.  

The case is Slayden Plumbing & Heating, Inc. v. General Services Administration, et al.