Building trades hit 1 million hours without an injury on Intel project

Dorsey Hager, Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and provided an update on the Intel megaproject and shared his thoughts on a potential Community Benefits Agreement to build a new terminal at John Glenn International Airport.

In late 2023, Hager was invited to visit the Intel project in New Albany, Ohio, as representatives from Bechtel, the general contractor, wanted him to speak during a ceremony to thank all the building trades members for working safely on the project. Construction crews have now logged over 1 million hours of work without a lost time injury incident. Hager was blown away by this number and was then told that later this year, building trades members will log at least 1 million manhours each month at the site.

Hager then spoke about the lack of progress being made on a Community Benefits Agreement to construct the new $2 billion John Glenn International Airport terminal. The Columbus Regional Airport Authority hired Hansel-Phelps as the construction manager at-risk. He noted that Hansel-Phelps is one of the largest contractors affiliated with the Associated Builders and Contractors, who are a notorious anti-union organization. Hager spoke with company officials and questioned why they would not sign a CBA for this project, and they told him it was not needed. 

Finally, Hager talked about Ohio’s upcoming Primary Election to be held on March 19 and the November General Election. He identified the re-election of U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) as the top two races the Columbus Building Trades will focus on this year.

Listen to the entire episode to hear more about these topics: