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 expansion of the Building Futures program, Prevailing Wage legislation and challenges with the Columbus airport project.
The Building Futures program, an Apprenticeship Readiness Program established in 2018, is expanding through a partnership with the First Church of God on Columbus' east side. Funded by the city, this pilot program aims to provide 12 to 20 participants with soft skills training and direct pathways into the trades. Hager emphasized the program's importance in light of ongoing construction projects in Central Ohio, including the Early Childhood Learning Center and tech industry developments from companies like Intel, Google and Amazon.
Hager highlighted a proposed ordinance in Columbus that would require Prevailing Wages on city-funded projects of $500,000 or more. This legislation, modeled after similar measures in Cleveland and other cities, aims to ensure fair compensation and benefits for workers on publicly funded projects. Hager argued that tying Prevailing Wages to tax incentives and public funding would benefit the local workforce and economy, preventing situations where out-of-state contractors undercut local wages.
The $2 billion John Glenn Columbus International Airport renovation project faces challenges, according to Hager. Despite some union involvement in initial work, concerns have arisen about minority contractor participation and budget overruns. Hager detailed a specific instance where a local minority-owned contractor was passed over for a $16 million terrazzo job in favor of an out-of-state, non-minority firm. This decision could result in millions of dollars in wages leaving the local economy, highlighting the need for greater emphasis on local and diverse contractor participation.
Listen to the full episode for more from Hager on Central Ohio's construction industry developments.