Thursday, January 31, 2008; B02

SOUTHEAST

District union leaders said yesterday that the labor agreement used for the Nationals ballpark under construction in Southeast should be the model for future projects in the city.

They cited hiring figures showing that 87 percent of the apprentices at the ballpark were District residents. Although falling short of the agreement's goal that all new apprentices would be from the city, union officials said the agreement has meant a boon for city workers and ensured higher wages and benefits for them.

The agreement requires that workers on the project receive union scale wages and benefits regardless of union membership and sets goals for hiring city residents.

Nonunion contractors have opposed the agreement and say it has shut out some District residents. But Joslyn Williams, president of the Metropolitan Washington AFL-CIO, said it would help create jobs that would build a strong middle class in the District while improving efficiency and helping projects finish on time. The Nationals ballpark is on schedule and is one of the fastest-built stadiums in the major leagues.

-- Daniel LeDuc

The District government will save about $247,000 per month under a proposed cellphone contract with Verizon, the city's chief technology officer said yesterday.

Vivek Kundra said his office renegotiated to eliminate costly tariffs, resulting in a plan that will cost the city $452,000 per month, down from $699,000. The savings will amount to a 35 percent decrease in spending, Kundra said. The contract is subject to approval by the D.C. Council.

-- David Nakamura