A contentious dispute surrounding a large AI data center in the Bay Area has escalated, with a prominent labor union alleging that its members faced awful racial slurs, including the N-word, for backing the initiative.
The North Coast Carpenters Union lodged a formal complaint on Tuesday with the Pittsburgh City Council, urging the body to investigate and take steps to safeguard individuals from “racial abuse and intimidation.”
“What transpired was far more than a simple disagreement over a development project,” remarked Jay Bradshaw, president of the North Coast Carpenters Union. “Black and Latino workers were subjected to racial insults, intimidated, and even asked to leave public meetings for voicing alternative opinions.”
The union asserted that Black carpenters faced the N-word among other derogatory remarks. Latino members were accused of betraying their community, while they endured additional insults, including homophobic slurs and claims of KKK affiliations.
This proposed 76-acre data center, named the AVAIO Perseus Data Center, has drawn sharp opposition from local residents who argue that its establishment would drain resources, emit diesel fumes, and disrupt the tranquility of the neighborhood.
Despite the backlash, about 25 union members expressed support for the data center during an August 3 meeting. The surge in interest in AI is driving a nationwide data center construction boom, leading to significant demand for union carpenters.
The union reported that anti-data center activists displayed hostility whenever members voiced support, engaging in overtly racist behavior.
The alleged hateful incident took place in an overflow room after the primary chamber reached full capacity. Union representatives instructed members to relinquish their seats and stand at the back to avoid further conflict.
In their complaint, the union requested that the city safeguard all recordings and evidence from that overflow session. They also called for a greater police presence and enhanced protocols to guarantee that everyone feels secure participating in public discussions, warning that neglecting to do so might infringe state civil rights laws.
“Opponents of the project have every right to organize and protest against the data center,” Bradshaw stated. “However, they should not resort to racial hatred or intimidation towards union members.”
It appears that there is no single organized group opposing the data center; rather, there’s a gathering of frustrated local residents responding to the proposed project.
Concerns regarding construction disruptions and environmental impact loom large among critics. Carmen Magallan, a nearby resident, expressed her distress, saying, “It’s terrible, it’s terrible. Should we just move now? We’re really considering it.”
The extensive development is set to rise on the site of a golf course that closed in 2018, located close to homes and schools. Avaio Digital, the developer, aims for an initial capacity of 99 megawatts and is seen by city officials as a significant investment in the local economy.
Opponents have garnered national attention, gaining support from figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
At a meeting on August 3, the city announced its intention to establish an advisory committee on data center development to obtain community and stakeholder feedback on prospective projects.
“Throughout the preceding months, we’ve encountered numerous inquiries from the community regarding data center development in the city,” City Manager Darin Gale stated. “Now, we have the chance to involve residents in shaping future data center policies in Pittsburgh,” Gale added.
