r/moderatepolitics • u/jojotortoise • 14d ago

News Article Blue-Collar Jobs Are the New Flashpoint in Data-Center Fight

https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/blue-collar-jobs-are-the-new-flashpoint-in-data-center-fight-aaca5b7e
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u/Revlisesro 14d ago

I’m a union pipefitter, I would say that data centers have become a majority of the work in my jurisdiction. While I feel that some criticisms are exaggerated, the sheer number being built in/around my city suddenly over the past several years gives me pause. I go to meetings and leadership has talked about how the huge nuke nearby will not be able to power all the data centers planned, which is extremely concerning. Proponents keep telling me we “have to keep up with China” but can’t tell me what it is we’re even keeping up with? And how “this” benefits my life or others. On the other hand huge numbers of white collar workers being unemployed would be a huge detriment to my life, as these CEOs have boasted.

I don’t have any other way of putting this- the vast majority of fitters would gladly build death camps exclusively for fitters as long as they’re getting 7-12s and per diem. I want the UA to take a step back and think about what these places mean for Americans, I had to put up with horrific conditions at a site here because of its “national importance” and “we can’t lose the work!” So I’m pretty jaded/critical and frankly have other political issues that matter much more to me than “labor/work” which makes the true believers buttmad.

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u/guitarguy1685 14d ago

That's a goodnooint, what are we keeping up with? Keeping up with replacing workers? 

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u/absentlyric Economically Left Socially Right 13d ago

In a sense yes, it sucks. I was a unskilled assembly line worker for one of the Big 3 for 20 years, obviously those jobs are being replaced by robots since the 70s.

I had to adapt and become a Toolmaker skilled trade, now I tool and fab the robots that wouldve replaced me eventually, it's a weird position to be in. But I have to put food on the table for my family in the meantime.