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Labor leaders urge Monterey Park not to ban data centers, warn of lost local jobs
Summary
Several union representatives told the council a blanket ban would deny local workers apprenticeship and career opportunities, provide little benefit to residents and block long-term union jobs; they asked that each project be subject to local review and hiring requirements rather than an outright prohibition.
Union representatives and several construction trades members asked the council to reject a citywide ban on data centers and instead allow projects to proceed through the city's normal permit and CEQA processes so local unions could compete for work and hire local apprentices.
David Moore of the Laborers' International Union of North America argued that "jobs building data centers means good paying local union jobs," and Larry Bustos and other union members said a total ban would close off career pathways and apprenticeship opportunities. Union speakers urged the Council to require strong local-hire commitments and regulation rather than precluding projects before proposals are submitted.
Several resident speakers disputed that jobs benefits would outweigh local environmental harms; the Council heard both perspectives during public comment and ultimately adopted the prohibition after incorporating staff clarifications. Union representatives said they would continue engaging the city on constructive alternatives and local-hire policies.
