Unions Split as Data Center Backlash Goes National

America's biggest labor unions have split over AI data centers — construction and trades unions are fighting local bans while nurses back a nationwide moratorium — as public opposition to the facilities collapses into a bipartisan revolt.

A Heatmap News poll cited by The American Prospect found opinion swung roughly 61 points in a year, from 43% net support to 75% net opposition, with 15% in support. Fully 61% of Americans now say they strongly oppose the facilities.

Gallup polling cited by RealClear Wire found more than 70% of Americans oppose building a data center in their neighborhood.

Where the unions stand

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers told its 901,000 members in April to urge Congress to oppose any bill banning data center construction, handing out a digital toolkit with a sample letter and social media instructions, according to Business Insider. "Such bans would eliminate critical opportunities for union workers and stunt much-needed economic growth in communities across the country," the union said.

Don Slaiman, political coordinator of IBEW Local 26 covering Washington, Maryland and Virginia, wrote in a New York Times op-ed that apprentices start near $28 an hour and experienced electricians earn $62 an hour plus another $30 in benefits. "Data centers represent the best opportunity in generations for blue-collar workers to attain a portion of the American dream," he said.

North America's Building Trades Unions, representing more than 3 million workers in the US and Canada, called the facilities "critical infrastructure that underpin America's digital economy, data security, and national security," in a statement from President Sean McGarvey. He praised Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro for adding guardrails instead of a pause.

The Laborers' International Union of North America, with more than 500,000 construction members, agreed a day later. "Moratoriums on data center construction are not the answer," General President Brent Booker said.

United Association, some 407,000 plumbers and pipefitters, criticized New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone for backing a national moratorium. "A kneejerk moratorium based on misinformation is not the common-sense answer we need," General President Mark McManus wrote to him.

National Nurses United, with almost 225,000 members, went the other way and endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders' push for a nationwide moratorium, saying it would put "nurses, patients, and working people in the driver's seat" and citing AI's threat to nursing jobs.

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler split the difference in a June interview with Punchbowl News: "We need the guardrails on AI, we just don't think that a moratorium is the way to get there."

The Teamsters, United Auto Workers and National Education Association have not taken a public position, Business Insider reported.