Ohio’s Data Center Boom & The National Fight for Economic Relief

The data center boom is reshaping the Midwest, while at the national level, workers are rising up to demand economic accountability. On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we tackle two defining fronts of the modern labor movement: the massive industrial build-out of digital infrastructure and the nationwide mobilization for affordability and representation. Segment 1: Building the Digital Backbone of Ohio Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joins us to discuss the staggering scale of data center construction in the region. The Numbers: Why 20 million labor hours are just the beginning for the building trades. The Career Path: How IBEW Local 1105 and others are scaling apprenticeship programs to create six-figure careers without a college degree. The Community Impact: Addressing local concerns and why data centers are a long-term win for the middle class. Segment 2: AFL-CIO Mobilizes for Economic Fairness Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, joins the program to discuss why workers are taking to the streets to demand relief from the rising cost of living. The Mobilization: Insights from the "No Kings Day" rallies and the disconnect between Washington policy and kitchen-table math. Voter Education: Why the AFL-CIO is treating the ballot box as a workplace safety and standards issue. A Historic Milestone: A look at Roxanne Brown’s rise to become the 10th International President of the United Steelworkers.