Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, made his June appearance on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and provided AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc with an update on Intel’s $20 billion semiconductor plant project.
The project will have a monumental economic impact across Ohio, Hager emphasized. Once the Intel plant is operational, there could be as many as 300 suppliers for the site spread across the entire state, he explained.
Dorsey Hager, C/COBCTC Executive Secretary-Treasurer
On the construction front, Intel recently announced the hiring of contractors for the excavation work.
Gilbane Building Co. will manage early excavation work for the project performed by Ohio-based McDaniel’s Construction Corp. and Northstar Contracting Inc. GTSA Construction Consulting will provide staff augmentation and consulting services for the first phase. Site work has started, and will take four to six months to complete, Hager noted.
The Intel project is the largest construction project in the history of Ohio, as it will create over 7,000 construction jobs. Once the plant is operational, Intel will employ over 3,000 highly skilled workers.
Hager explained how 90 percent of his time is now committed to recruitment, retention and workforce development, including growing apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs for his affiliated Local Unions and District Councils. Both the Building Futures and Driving Futures programs will grow over the next several years, he added.
Hager also talked about the need to supply affordable housing to accommodate workers, both for construction workers and the Intel workforce. Building trades leaders are looking to convert empty office space in downtown Columbus to condominiums or apartment complexes and housing developments will need to be built in rural areas as well, he added.
Democrats gear up for political races in Ohio
Discussion then turned from Intel to the recent order by a U.S. federal court panel for Ohio to use unconstitutional state legislative maps in a Primary Election to be held on Aug. 2. Hager gave an update on the campaign of Kelly Harrop, Communications and Outreach Director for the C/COBCTC, who is running as a Democrat for a seat in the Ohio House Third District.
He also discussed the U.S. Senate race that pits U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Youngstown) against Republican opponent J.D. Vance.
Tim Skinner Retires
Lastly, Hager discussed the recent retirement of Tim Skinner, Assistant Business Manager for Sprinkler Fitters Local 669. Hager called Skinner incredibly talented, adding that he did great work for his Local and will be missed.
Listen to the interview:
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