Work Outlook Remains Positive for Most of Ohio

Union construction workers should expect to remain busy in most parts of Ohio this year.

According to multiple leaders from various jurisdictions, the 2022 forecast looks promising, even with expected supply chain issues creating problems.

In 2021, a number of projects across the state slowed down due to a lack of materials. Items such as steel, electrical parts, roofing material, brick, drywall, paint and other items have been in short supply.

As a result, some projects such as the Cleveland Cliffs steel mill renovation work in Cleveland were pushed back.

However, in some instances, contractors were able to adjust schedules to accommodate material delays. When materials are available, there appear to be plenty of work opportunities.

Central Ohio is one area where work is expected to remain just as busy as 2021.

According to Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dorsey Hager, the problem facing many of his affiliated Local Unions is not jobs, but a shortage of manpower.

Hager noted affiliated tradesmen and tradeswomen logged about 6.7 million manhours in 2021, which was about the same as 2020. He expects that number to remain about the same in 2022, but pointed out it could increase if Locals are able to bring in new members.

“All the trades have been crazy busy,” he said.

There is more than enough work in Hager’s jurisdiction as there are several projects topping the $1 billion mark, and others well into nine figures.

Among the prominent Central Ohio projects that will garner major work hours in 2022 are the Amgen biotech plant, three Amazon datacenters, a Google datacenter, the Wexner Medical Tower, various projects on The Ohio State University campus, other datacenters and solar field work.

“Our issue is not the work, but the people needed to perform the work,” he said. “We need apprentices and journeymen.”

Hager would like to see area Locals add manpower, but he knows finding people to perform the work is not easy.

“Nearly all of our trades are doing what they can to grow,” he added.

Tradesmen and tradeswomen in northeast Ohio also should expect to be busy in 2022.

Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary Dave Wondolowski noted his members are busier this month compared to last year, and said it is not expected to slow down.

“We will absolutely be busier this year than in 2021,” he said. “The Sherwin-Williams headquarters, hospital work and apartment projects are lending to this work.”

Despite one of the region’s bigger projects paused due to a lack of materials, work elsewhere will solider on.

“The planned work at the Cleveland Cliffs steel mill is delayed,” he said. “The pig iron plant is still planned, plus the continued building work in downtown are all attributable to the workload.”

While the bustling forecast means jobs for affiliated members, Wondolowski cautioned construction workers need to follow all
safety guidelines.

“Keeping our members safe and healthy during COVID remains the top priority,” he said.

Wondolowski, like Hager, also stressed the need for more apprentices.

“It will be imperative that we bring in large numbers of new apprentices to train so that we can carry a workload like this in the future,” he added. In the southwest corner of the state, Greater Cincinnati Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary Fred Lampe is optimistic about the upcoming season.

Lampe pointed to two major hospital projects – one a satellite facility in College Hills and another in Warren County – that will keep affiliated members busy. He also cited work at the University of Cincinnati, along with other medium and smaller-
sized projects.

“I don’t see any real negatives for the upcoming year,” he said. “All of our crafts are optimistic heading into 2022.”

Dayton Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Director Grady Mullins anticipates a decent 2022 construction season.

There are some large projects planned in the area, but the work will likely be split 50-50 between union and non-union, Mullins said. He pointed to work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, which will go to the building trades, as a bright spot.

Also, he is working to improve the relationship between the trades, county and city.

“We’re going to push PLAs with Montgomery County and the City of Dayton,” he said.

The outlook in Lima could be a little bit better than in Dayton. According to Rick Perdue, President of the Lima Building and Construction Trades Council, his affiliated members should expect a busier year compared to 2021.

Among the bigger projects his affiliated members will work on are two hospital projects and major work at Procter & Gamble.

Perdue also expects more maintenance work at the Cenovus refinery. He is having meeting with plant management following a non-union contractor performing turnaround work last year.

The next large turnaround scheduled for Lima will take place in 2024, but the Ohio House is currently discussing House Bill 235 – The High Hazard Training Certification Act, which could help building trades unions in Toledo and Lima regain lost work.

If approved, the legislation will establish minimum safety standards for construction work at oil refineries by providing minimum qualifications for workers performing the work.

H.B. 235 became necessary after Canadian oil-refinery operator Cenovus made the decision to replace local union building trades members with lesser skilled construction workers from the Gulf Coast.

If passed and signed into law, the bill will not force Cenovus to select union contractors. However, it will likely open up the door for the union building trades to regain work lost.