Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council (C/CO BCTC), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Intel’s role in leading the construction boom in Central Ohio. He also talked about the need for improved infrastructure and how Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther has helped with the growth in the area.
Hager talked about how the part of the Intel plant currently under construction in Central Ohio impacted the construction boom in the region. Intel has stated that they will be investing about $2.5 billion over the next 10 years, and with that comes a large need for more highly skilled construction workers in the area. Hager talked about the current outlook for fulfilling the manpower needs of the project this year with union tradesmen and tradeswomen. He also discussed the future needs for new union members and how the building trades push for workforce diversity has helped unions organize and recruit.
Not only is the construction boom in Central Ohio bringing more union jobs to the region, but it has also created a need to improve the area's infrastructure. Hager talked about the population growth expected in the region over the next 25 years and what that would mean for the current infrastructure. He said several projects are being announced to support future growth, including new water treatment facilities, a new power plant and improved transit methods. Hager also highlighted LinkUS, Central Ohio’s plan for improving regional transportation to accommodate the population growth in the area.
Finally, Hager discussed the important role that Columbus’ Mayor Andrew Ginther has played in the region's growth. In honor of his work, Mayor Ginther was recently elected President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Hager talked about his work with Mayor Ginther and how important it has been to the construction boom to have a partner in the mayor’s office.
For more from Hager, please listen to the show above.
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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.
