Building trades unions, traditionally seen as champions of the American worker, are now forging alliances with some of the wealthiest tech companies in the world as they drive the expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure. These unions are heavily involved in constructing massive data centers across the country, recruiting apprentices at record rates to meet the surging demand for skilled labor.
National Security and Economic Priorities
Union leaders are echoing tech industry rhetoric, emphasizing that the U.S. is in a critical race with China for AI dominance. This alignment has created unexpected political dynamics, with unions siding with tech-friendly lawmakers and often clashing with progressive activists who oppose data centers due to environmental and community concerns.
"When people say, ‘data centers are the root of all evil,’ we’re just saying, ‘look, they do create a hell of a lot of construction jobs, which we live and work in your communities,’" said Rob Bair, president of the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council.
Job Growth and Training Expansion
Data center construction is fueling a renaissance for unions, with apprenticeship programs doubling in size and training centers expanding rapidly. Estimates suggest that up to 50% of union work hours in some regions are now tied to data center projects. The North America’s Building Trades Unions reported a record number of members and apprentices in 2025, attributing much of this growth to data centers and related infrastructure projects.
Tech giants, recognizing the need for skilled labor, are investing tens of millions in union-backed training programs. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, highlighted the role of union workers in laying the foundation for the AI economy. Meanwhile, Google stated that the majority of its data center labor is unionized and has committed $10 million to electricians' training programs.
Local Pushback and Energy Concerns
Despite the economic benefits, data centers face fierce opposition from communities concerned about energy consumption, water usage, and quality-of-life issues. Unions have taken a proactive role in addressing these complaints, urging communities to negotiate for concessions like funding for schools or project improvements. However, the energy demands of data centers are also driving a resurgence in power plant construction, further bolstering union jobs.
As the AI economy grows, the alliance between unions and tech companies is reshaping political and economic landscapes, prioritizing American competitiveness while navigating local resistance.