Today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast featured Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, who discussed the region’s political landscape, what’s ahead in 2026 for organized labor in Central Ohio and the increasing union activity among younger generations.
Hager kicked off the conversation by examining the recent political climate in Central Ohio, celebrating the election of several pro-union candidates to seats on the Columbus City Council, making it the region's most pro-union council in its history. He also noted that the upcoming 2026 election cycle will have significant ramifications, especially with key races for governor, state treasurer and numerous judicial positions. Hager emphasized the critical nature of the state treasurer's race, which includes numerous Republican candidates, including pro-labor candidate Jay Edwards and current state Sen. Kristina Roegner, who has consistently opposed union-backed legislation. He also stressed the importance of educating pro-union voters about down-ballot races, particularly judicial races, which can have a profound impact on the day-to-day lives of working people.
On the organizing and economic fronts, Hager highlighted the sweeping renovations planned at Nationwide Arena. Thanks to Project Labor Agreements and collaboration with local leaders, this $200 million endeavor is designed to employ local workers and ensure that skilled, diverse tradespeople can earn good wages and benefits while carrying out the work. Hager also celebrated the growing union density in Columbus—not just among the trades, but in industries such as hospitality and journalism. The recent organizing drive by staff at the Columbus Dispatch marks a milestone in shifting the newspaper toward union status, further demonstrating the expansion of union values in new sectors.
Finally, Hager discussed the significance of the long-running Friends of Labor luncheon, an annual tradition that brings together labor leaders, politicians from multiple parties, contractors and community stakeholders. This event exemplifies the proactive approach that local building trades take to building relationships and engaging in political advocacy. By fostering connections, sharing experiences and highlighting shared values, these gatherings have cemented Columbus’s transformation into what Hager calls “a union town,” where solidarity and inclusion continue to grow stronger year after year.
For more from Hager, please listen to the full episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast above.
America’s Work Force is the only daily labor podcast in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America's workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues.
America’s Work Force Union Podcast is brought to you in part by our sponsors: AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees, American Federation of Musicians Local 4, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes-IBT, Boyd Watterson, Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Communication Workers of America, Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6, Ironworkers Great Lakes District Council, Melwood, The Labor Citizen newspaper, Laborers International Union of North America, The National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, North Coast Area Labor Federation, Ohio Federation of Teachers, United Labor Agency, United Steelworkers.
