Building trades unions in the United States have emerged as a crucial ally of technology giants in the race to build artificial intelligence data centers. Unionized workers are employed on a large number of massive data centre projects, and unions are scrambling to recruit new apprentices to meet explosive demand.
Unions have echoed tech companies' talking points that the US is in a critical national security race with China for AI superiority. They have also become a visible force in countering community opposition and hostile legislation, often aligning with Republican pro-business constituencies and forcing Democrats to choose between unions and progressives who want stricter regulation.
Union leaders have aggressively addressed concerns about data centres, including energy and water shortages, rising bills, and noise. Rob Bair, president of the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council, said communities should negotiate for improvements or funding for local schools rather than outright opposing projects.
Data centre construction is accelerating, with unions reporting skyrocketing man hours and expanding training centres. In Columbus, Ohio, data centres account for at least 40% of work hours for the local trades council, while in Washington, D.C., the figure is at least 50% for one electrical workers' local.
North America's Building Trades Unions hit a record number of members and apprentices in 2025. Its president, Sean McGarvey, compared the growth to the 1950s, attributing it to data centres, power plants, and legislation under former President Joe Biden that subsidised semiconductor and electric vehicle battery factories.
Tech giants are spending tens of millions on training programmes, including partnerships with unions. Google said the majority of labour used to build its data centres is unionised and pointed to a $10 million grant for a union-backed electricians training programme. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said union workers are laying the foundation for the AI economy.
