In the PR battle for AI data centers, tech giants got a blue-collar ally
Building trades unions are working with tech giants to build massive data centers for America's artificial intelligence economy, creating jobs and echoing the talking point that the US is in a critical national security race with China for AI superiority. Unions are helping counter opposition to data centers in communities and hostile legislation, while also expanding training centers and seeing their ranks grow.
Unionized workers are employed on a huge number of massive data center projects, scrambling to recruit new apprentices to feed the explosive demand. Unions have become an ally of tech giants and tech-friendly government officials, echoing the talking point that the US is in a critical national security race with China for AI superiority. Data center construction is accelerating, with unions expanding training centers and seeing their ranks grow faster than many union leaders have ever seen. The North America’s Building Trades Unions hit a record number of members and apprentices in 2025. Tech giants say they need to train hundreds of thousands more workers in skilled trades and are spending tens of millions of dollars on training programs, including partnerships with unions. Data centers' voracious energy needs are setting off a power plant construction boom, delivering new life to unions whose members build and maintain power infrastructure.
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