Building trades unions have become direct allies of the world's wealthiest corporations, actively constructing the infrastructure for America's artificial intelligence economy. This alliance facilitates the concentration of capital for tech giants while communities face rising costs and environmental concerns.
Unionized workers are now employed on a significant number of massive data center projects, with unions actively recruiting new apprentices to meet the explosive demand generated by these capital-intensive ventures. North America’s Building Trades Unions reported hitting a record number of members and apprentices 1 year ago, in 2025.
Tech giants are investing tens of millions of dollars into training programs, including partnerships with unions, to secure the labor force needed for their multibillion-dollar projects. Google, for instance, provided a $10 million grant to a union-backed electricians training program, aiming to expand the electrician workforce pipeline by 70%.
Capital's Expansion, Labor's Growth
Data center construction is accelerating, leading to expanded union training centers and faster growth in union ranks than many leaders have observed previously. Dorsey Hager, a top official, estimated that data centers consume at least 40% of work hours for members of the Columbus-Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council. Don Slaiman, a spokesperson, stated that data centers account for at least 50% of work hours for members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 26 in metropolitan Washington, D.C.
Shawn Steffee, a union official, noted that the Boilermakers Local 154, whose members had seen power plants shut down in southwestern Pennsylvania, went from recruiting zero apprentices for four years to assembling a class of over 200, with more still needed. Mark McManus, general president of the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters, stated that his union has a strong relationship with tech companies and is experiencing all-time highs in membership. An internal survey indicated that his union's members work on over 90% of data center projects in the United States, a market share he described as "pretty near and dear to us."
McManus acknowledged criticism that organized labor is aligning with the world's richest and most powerful companies, but he rejected this view as unrealistic. He argued that if his union chose a moratorium on building data centers, the projects would still proceed, as "They’re not stopping because of organized labor."
The State as Capital's Enforcer
This alliance extends to government officials, who often echo the tech giants' argument that the United States is in a critical national security race for AI superiority against China. Governor Josh Shapiro, for example, stood with Amazon executives 2026, the same year, to announce the tech giant's $20 billion investment in two data center projects in eastern Pennsylvania. Shapiro framed this as "People coming together with common purpose to get stuff done," obscuring the underlying class interests.
Legislation under former President Joe Biden has also subsidized the construction of semiconductor and electric vehicle battery factories, energy efficiency projects, and grid transmission improvements, further benefiting the capital accumulation driving data center expansion. Unions have actively worked against legislative efforts to regulate data centers, including Maine’s since-vetoed proposal for a statewide moratorium, standards proposed in Illinois requiring data centers to supply their own energy, and an end to Virginia’s sales tax exemption that has made it a major data center destination.
Pennsylvania state Senator Katie Muth reported difficulty in securing support from fellow Democrats for her legislation to regulate data centers, as it competes with union-backed legislation she considers weaker. Muth stated, “The unions don’t want to promote anything that would impede data center development.”
Community Resistance and Union Stance
Communities have expressed fierce opposition to data centers, citing concerns about energy and water shortages, rising electric and water bills, noise, and overall quality-of-life objections. Rob Bair, president of the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council, countered these concerns by emphasizing the creation of construction jobs. He advised communities to identify their needs and demand concessions from tech companies, such as project improvements or funds for local schools, stating, “If you don’t ask, you’re never gonna get.”
Union representatives have made their presence felt at municipal meetings, often aligning with pro-business constituencies. Alicia Morales, speaking to the City Council in Joliet, Illinois, complained that union members, who sat in the front row with “vote yes for union jobs” signs, had been disrespectful and “bullied a lot of people” entering the meeting. Chuck Curry, president of Ironworkers Local 395, commended City Council members in Hobart, Indiana, 4 months ago, in January 2026, at a meeting on an Amazon data center, stating, “I just want to commend you guys, thanks for being the adults in the room. Knowing the tax structure, knowing business, that most of the people here don’t know.” This highlights the alignment of union leadership with capital's interests over community concerns.