Data centers, power plants, casino: Building boom keeps eastern Iowa union workers busy
A construction boom, including two hyperscale data centers, is keeping union workers in eastern Iowa busy. Unions report a significant increase in work hours and the need for outside contractors to meet demand. Workers are facing challenges with supply shortages and are putting in extensive overtime.
A construction boom, marked by projects including two hyperscale data centers, a power plant, and a new casino, is creating high demand for union labor in eastern Iowa, particularly in Cedar Rapids. Mike Sadler II from the Cedar Rapids Iowa City Building Trades and Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 125 unions reported that members have worked more hours in the past seven months than in the entire previous year.
Organizer Rick Moyle noted that the scale of these projects necessitates bringing in "travelers" or outside contractors due to insufficient local labor numbers. Despite political differences over development issues, Moyle emphasized that the work benefits building and trade members. Workers are facing challenges with supply shortages for common building materials and are working extensive overtime, often six to seven days a week for 10-12 hours a day, to meet tight construction timelines for the data centers.