Greg LaRoy, Executive Director of Good Jobs First, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast this Thanksgiving to provide insights into the impact of urban density on union jobs and construction wages as showcased in their recent report. The report, “Smart Growth and Good Construction Jobs: How Urban Density Benefits Union Density,” compiles extensive research and case studies that illustrate how smart growth policies and transit access can dramatically shape the union landscape.
LaRoy began by addressing the relationship between urban planning and union job density. He explained that metropolitan areas with smart growth policies or geographical constraints, such as mountain ranges or bodies of water, generally experience greater population growth and significantly higher job and wage growth in construction compared to sprawling areas. Construction job growth over a 15-year span was 57 percent in dense regions, compared to 37 percent in sprawling areas. LaRoy attributed this to the complexity of urban construction projects, which tend to favor union labor due to required skill sets and higher standards.
Next, Laroy highlighted the role of public transit in connecting workers to jobs and expanding labor market opportunities. He discussed how outbound job relocations often move employment away from transit corridors, which disproportionately impacts those reliant on public transportation, including many in lower-income and minority groups. LaRoy emphasized that keeping jobs accessible to transit not only serves social justice goals but also benefits employers trying to reach the full spectrum of available labor. A previous Good Jobs First research project in Cleveland found that most company relocations had a negative impact on transit accessibility.
Finally, LaRoy discussed the emerging issue of large-scale data centers and their outsized impact on local infrastructure and public finances. With the rise of artificial intelligence, data centers are demanding unprecedented amounts of energy and water, sometimes draining public resources while receiving massive tax breaks. States have lost significant revenue from these incentives, primarily benefiting tech giants such as Amazon, Google and Microsoft. LaRoy’s organization tracks such corporate subsidies, aiming to highlight the importance of fair and responsible public policy for workers and communities.
For more from Greg LaRoy, listen to the full episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast above.