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 the region's construction boom, apprenticeship growth and a labor dispute with fire truck manufacturer Sutphen.
Central Ohio's construction industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, with projects ranging from Intel's semiconductor manufacturing facility to datacenters and power plants. Hager highlighted the ongoing work at Intel, noting that despite delays, the project still employs nearly 1,000 building trades members. He emphasized the region's rapid expansion in the datacenter market, with projections indicating job growth from 95,000 to 132,000 over the next four years. Hager discussed how a surge in development has led to significant expansion of affiliated Registered Apprenticeship Programs, with some Local Unions more than doubling their membership and apprentice numbers to meet demand.
The construction boom has necessitated substantial investments in training facilities and recruitment efforts. Hager detailed how Local Unions are adapting, citing examples such as IBEW Local 683, which has grown from 1,200 to 3,000 members and started the school year with 750 apprentices. He stressed the importance of upgrading skills to keep pace with evolving technologies in the field, ensuring workers are prepared for complex projects such as semiconductor manufacturing plants and datacenters.
Hager also addressed 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 in lost business. Hager expressed concern over the company's anti-union stance and the impact on workers who have contributed to Sutphen's success.
Listen to the full episode for more insights on Central Ohio's construction industry and labor relations.