Building trades unions back AI data centre expansion

Building trades unions have become crucial allies for tech giants developing Artificial Intelligence data centres across the United States, creating tension within the Democratic coalition. Unionised workers are employed on numerous massive data centre projects, and unions are aggressively countering community opposition and hostile legislation.

Data centre construction now consumes at least 40% of work hours in Columbus, Ohio, and 50% in metropolitan Washington DC. North America’s Building Trades Unions reported record membership in 2025, with some locals seeing apprentice classes double in size. The United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters reports members working on over 90% of US data centre projects.

Union representatives have opposed regulatory proposals in Maine, Illinois and Virginia, often appearing at packed council meetings to support projects. Their role places organised labour on the side of large technology companies as data centre development faces growing scrutiny from residents and policymakers.

Tech companies are spending tens of millions on union training programmes, with Google contributing ? million to expand electrician workforce pipelines by 70%. The investment underscores how closely labour capacity and data centre growth are becoming linked as companies race to build the infrastructure needed for Artificial Intelligence services.