California Forever, the Napa/Solano Building Trades Council, and Northern California Carpenters Union sign the largest construction labor agreement in history

For over a century, California has been more than a state. We’ve been a promise. A symbol. A dare—to dream big, and to build even bigger. From the shipyards of the Bay Area to the studios of Hollywood, from rockets in the Mojave to microchips in Silicon Valley, California didn’t just imagine the future, we built it.

Today, we’re reviving that spirit.

California Forever, the Napa/Solano Building Trades Council, and Northern California Carpenters Union have signed the largest construction labor agreement in history to build the next great American city, and lay the foundation for the next 100 years of California’s promise.

The 40-year labor agreement covers all of the almost 70,000 acres owned by California Forever (approx. 110 square miles). It mandates that the majority of construction—including all infrastructure, public works, major commercial, office, retail, industrial, defense, and energy projects—be built using union labor through individual Project Labor Agreements.

Rising on 100 square miles in Solano County, halfway between Silicon Valley and Sacramento, the city will include America’s largest advanced manufacturing park, its largest shipyard, and the first walkable city built in a century.

The Bay Area Council Economic Institute conducted an in-depth analysis of the economic and fiscal impact of the Suisun Expansion Plan and the Solano Shipyard, which was also released today. The report estimated that once ramped up, construction for both projects will create over 17,000 direct construction jobs in Solano County each year during the 40 year build out, with the majority of these jobs being union, paying an $108,000 in average annual compensation.

For union workers, this is about more than numbers: “This isn’t just a construction project; it’s a multi-generational promise to the working families of Solano County,” said Danny Bernardini of the Napa-Solano Building Trades Council.

Ron Rowlett of the Northern California Carpenters commented, “This is a project where a worker can start as an apprentice, work their entire career, and retire—all while living in the community they helped build. This agreement sets a new national gold standard for how private investment and organized labor can work together to build a better future.”

As Jan Sramek, founder & CEO of California Forever, put it: “For the last 150 years, California has been the place where dreamers and builders came to build the future—and with it, the middle class. As the grandson of steelworkers and farmworkers, and the son of a mechanic and a school teacher, I could not be more proud of this historic partnership between American business and labor to build the next great American city.”

The land is ready.
The plans are ready.
The workers are ready.

What’s needed now is approval to move forward—and the chance to break ground in 2026.

California has done this before, and we can do it again.

Learn more and join the call to break ground: californiaforever.com/breakgroundnow 

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Danny Bernardini

Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Napa-Solano Building Trades Council

“This isn’t just a construction project; it’s a multi-generational promise to the working families of Solano County. With this partnership, we are ensuring that the men and women of the building trades have decades of stable, high-paying work right here in their own backyard.”

Steve McCall

Representative, Solano County Building & Construction Trades (Vacaville)

“For too long, our members have had to endure long commutes out of the county to find meaningful work. This partnership will guarantee well-paid, local jobs for a lifetime, and a future where our members don’t just work here, they’ll be able to afford a home here.”

Alicia Mijares

Business Manager, Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 (Fairfield)

“This project offers us our shot at the American Dream: well-paid, stable jobs and a chance to own our own homes. It’s a chance to change the trajectory of Fairfield, of Solano County, and of California. I’m proud to be part of it.”

Ron Rowlett

Director of State Government Affairs, Northern California Carpenters

“This is a project where a worker can start as an apprentice, work their entire career, and retire—all while living in the community they helped build. This agreement sets a new national gold standard for how private investment and organized labor can work together to build a better future.”

Jermaine Dowdell

Local Carpenter and Fairfield Resident

“As a carpenter living right here in Fairfield, this project is personal. It means I can put my skills to work building the future of my own community instead of driving hours away every morning. This is about more than just a paycheck; it’s about the pride of knowing that my hands helped build the homes and neighborhoods where my neighbors will live and grow. I’m ready to get to work.”

Jan Sramek

Founder & CEO of California Forever:
“For the last 150 years, California has been the place where dreamers and builders came to build the future—and with it, the middle class. As the grandson of steelworkers and farmworkers, and the son of a mechanic and a school teacher, I could not be more proud of this historic partnership between American business and labor to build the next great American city.”