Metro CEO Art Leahy, Metro Board Member Jackie Dupont-Walker, LeDaya Epps, U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez and James Martinez at the Crenshaw/Expo Yard. photo Luis Inzunza/Metro.

Metro is pleased to announce that LeDaya Epps, a success story from Metro’s Project Labor Agreement and Career Construction Policy, will be a special guest of First Lady Michelle Obama at President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday evening in Washington D.C..

Here is the White House announcement.

“I am proud that our groundbreaking Project Labor Agreement (PLA) and Career Construction Policy are being recognized by the White House,” said Metro CEO Arthur Leahy. “LeDaya Epps and others just like her represent the promise that Measure R tax dollars can be used not only to build projects, but also to build sustainable careers for Los Angeles County residents. I want to personally thank our Board of Directors and our Metro staffers for working so hard to establish Metro’s Project Labor Agreement and Career Construction Project programs, which is now and in a very welcome way, being brought to the attention of a national audience.”

The White House announcement includes this:

“After hitting a few roadblocks in her life, she couldn’t find the reliable work and pay she needed to take care of herself and her three children. That all changed, however, when LeDaya completed a union apprenticeship in construction. She was one of only two women who completed the program, and she’s now part of the crew building the new Crenshaw/LAX light rail line with Walsh/Shea Corridor Constructors as a member of Laborers Local 300.”

U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez visited the construction zone for the Crenshaw/LAX Line last summer and praised Metro for its innovative Project Labor Agreement and Career Construction Program, both the first of their kind for a transit agency. The programs seek to help those who reside in economically disadvantaged areas find jobs and training opportunities on Metro construction projects. To date, approximately 140 apprentices in various trades have been used on the Crenshaw/LAX project.

The White House website has more on tomorrow’s State of the Union.