Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, shared updates on the region’s construction boom, apprenticeship growth and a labor dispute with fire truck manufacturer Sutphen during his monthly appearance on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast.
Central Ohio’s construction industry continues to thrive, with projects ranging from Intel’s chip manufacturing facility to data centers and power plants.
Hager reported that despite project delays, nearly 1,000 building trades members are currently working on the Intel project.
Also, the region’s rapid expansion in the data center market is projected to increase construction jobs from 95,000 to 132,000 in the next four years.
“If you think we’re busy now, take a deep breath and hold on tight because it’s only going to get busier,” Hager said. “We’re just on the hill of the roller coaster, creeping up to the top of the hill.”
This surge has led to significant apprenticeship program expansions, with some Local Unions more than doubling their membership and apprentice numbers to meet demand.
To accommodate the construction boom, Local Unions are investing heavily in training facilities and recruitment efforts.
Hager highlighted IBEW Local 683‘s growth from 1,200 to 3,000 members, starting the most recent school year with 750 apprentices.
“I’m very excited to see all this happen and to (help) create all these opportunities,” Hager said.
He emphasized the importance of affiliated members upgrading their skills to keep pace with evolving technologies in chip manufacturing and data center construction.
Teamsters Local 284 vs Sutphen
Hager also updated AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc on the ongoing labor dispute between Teamsters Local 284 and fire truck manufacturer Sutphen.
The conflict has escalated, gaining national attention and involving interventions from Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien and International Association of Fire Fighters General President Ed Kelly.
The dispute has led to contract cancellations and calls for boycotts, potentially costing Sutphen millions of dollars in lost business, Hager said.
For more details on Central Ohio’s construction industry and labor relations, listen to the full interview with Dorsey Hager.