The construction of data centers by Big Tech is sparking an ethical debate among American electricians, particularly members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). While some see these projects as career opportunities, others view them as a betrayal of union values and a contribution to a system that harms local communities.
The social stigma of working on data centers
An electrician from the Midwest shared that he no longer reveals his profession on dates because the conversation turns hostile when people learn he works on data center construction. "They tell me how terrible it is that I'm contributing to something like that," he explained, often marking the last time they speak. This discomfort reflects growing national opposition to data centers, criticized for energy consumption, environmental impact, and lack of local benefits.
Sponsored Protocol
Career advancement versus conscience
Despite criticism, many electricians actively seek data center work for growth potential. One electrician took a pay cut to get in and was promoted to a management role within months, hoping to transition into engineering. "I saw this as likely a major part of our future. If you can't beat them, join them," he said. Others like Ryan, an IBEW member, flatly refuse. Ryan believes governments are becoming more fascist and distrusts corporations like those led by Elon Musk or Alex Karp. If AI were for benevolent use, it would be different, but he sees it as money circulating among a few companies. Ryan avoids data center jobs, even during long unemployment, preferring only union-built projects.
Sponsored Protocol
The economic necessity justification
Other electricians justify the work by the need to put food on the table. Dante, who has worked for Intel, HP, and Amazon data centers, said, "Nobody judges me because we're almost always working for the worst people, but we need a paycheck in this unlivable world created by the same rich people." In his view, wiring a warehouse or a data center is the same exploitation. An apprentice noted that many use the rationalization "they will be built anyway, I might as well get paid." But he admits it is easy to say when one's livelihood does not depend on those projects.
The debate has also flared on Reddit's r/electricians subreddit, where threads on AI's economic impact raise concerns about job losses and complicity in harming communities. Some electricians believe opposing data center work is unrealistic when competition is high. The IBEW itself has published "Data Center Principles" arguing that union labor is essential to AI's future, while companies like Meta and Google invest in training programs. Yet ethical divisions remain deep, as revealed by testimonies collected by WIRED.
Sponsored Protocol
For more on how data centers divide workers, read the related article on Big Tech Data Centers Divide Workers — What It Means for Europe and Italy. For an overview of union roles, see the Wikipedia page on the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/data-center-buildout-electricians-selling-out
