Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Ohio’s political races, national election trends and their implications for labor.
In the wake of a contentious election, Hager provided a rundown of the key races in Columbus and Central Ohio, emphasizing the importance of every vote—with some races lost or won by mere handfuls. He spotlighted city council and school board races, noting a significant swing toward pro-labor candidates and Democrats, particularly with notable wins over anti-union groups like Moms for Liberty. This surge in union-endorsed victories was mirrored nationally, Hager said, with economic issues and voter turnout among younger demographics playing a significant role in the outcomes.
The conversation with Hager then shifted to the real-world consequences of the ongoing federal government shutdown. He detailed how stalled federal funding is causing layoffs, canceling critical infrastructure projects, and slowing major developments, such as the Intel project. Hager said the shutdown threatens ongoing clean energy and construction work, as well as the area’s broader economic growth, as essential water and wastewater facilities hang in the balance. He added that this impact is trickling down to working families, with uncertainty mounting as negotiations in Washington remain stuck.
Finally, the recent Ohio State Building Trades Convention was highlighted by Hager, as the state's building trades leaders gathered to celebrate leadership transitions and ongoing advocacy for pro-union policies. Hager discussed some of the strategic teamwork that helped secure major projects for Ohio union workers, recognizing outgoing leaders and welcoming new voices to champion labor causes. This included Mark Douglas, who will replace the now-retired Mike Knisley as the Ohio State Building Trades Council Secretary-Treasurer. Lastly, Hager discussed the importance of apprenticeship programs, the value of union-driven community growth and reminded listeners to stay engaged with the ever-evolving landscape of labor and politics.
To hear more from Hager about the growth and expansion of union work in Central Ohio and how elections have impacted this, listen to the full episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast.
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.
