# Sphere National Harbor council demands union labor agreement

> Prince George’s County council pushes Sphere to adopt union labor terms before approving $215 million bonds
- Title: Sphere National Harbor council demands union labor agreement
- Summary: Prince George’s County council pushes Sphere to adopt union labor terms before approving $215 million bonds Sphere refuses project labor agreement despite…
- Keywords: sphere, national harbor, prince george's county, council, labor agreement, project labor agreement, bonds, tax increment financing, union, construction, sphere entertainment co, madison square garden
- Source: The Banner — https://thebanner.com/politics-power/local-government/sphere-national-harbor-project-labor-agreement-KY3K6LJUMRBJZKHUGEVEW3ESKE
- Author: Jack Hogan
- Published: 2026-09-22T00:28:35.778+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sphere, national harbor, prince george's county, council, labor agreement, project labor agreement, bonds, tax increment financing, union, construction, sphere entertainment co, madison square garden
## Council demands union labor
Prince George’s County Council chair Krystal Oriadha insists Sphere must include union labor in National Harbor construction.

> I was clear with you, and everyone else, that we're not doing a project labor agreement.
## Sphere refuses union terms
Sphere executive Richard Constable says the company won't adopt a project labor agreement despite union-friendly practices in Las Vegas and New York.

> We're not going to mandate that our subcontractors change whatever they do in order to force them to have a unionized workforce.
## Bonds for construction
The council considers approving up to $215 million in bonds, $130 million for Sphere construction via tax increment financing.
## Construction timeline
Sphere plans site work at National Harbor starting in December 2026 with construction beginning in late 2027.
## Union labor stats
Sphere reports 97% of Las Vegas construction workers and 45% of its New York employees are union members.
## County concerns
County officials warn a project labor agreement would limit local hiring and hurt minority business enterprise programs.
## Community push
Residents urge council to resolve labor issues before approving bonds for Sphere construction.

> Sphere's too important, we need to have Sphere come here.
## Final vote deadline
The council has until September 29 to amend the bond bill before a final vote by late October.
## Sphere's stance
Sphere expects unionized workers on-site and multiple unions representing employees after construction begins.
## Key takeaway

Sphere refuses project labor agreement despite council pressure for union inclusion in National Harbor construction