May 21, 2026

WHEREAS, the Seattle City Council and Mayor have recently announced support for a one-year moratorium on data center construction.  MLK Labor is uniquely positioned to play a leadership role within the Labor Movement and nationally on issues related to data centers and Artificial Intelligence due to its mix of expertise, early leadership, and high-capacity affiliates.

WHEREAS, prior to the emergence of AI, data centers were generally not controversial.  Virtually all union members and employers rely on technologies enabled by data centers, including cell phones, email services, cloud storage, and the internet as a whole.  Building Trades union members are immensely proud of the role they have played in constructing the infrastructure that powers modern life and Seattle’s identity as a global technology hub.  Data center construction projects have helped thousands of union members earn their family-supporting wages and benefits in our community. Now, many trades workers are traveling to work on data center projects in other states to support themselves and their families.

 WHEREAS, Amazon Employees for Climate Justice is a tech worker organization that has contributed ideas on how to develop data centers in a more sustainable manner.  For example, several Seattle Building Trades unions helped construct underground pipes that enable heat to move from a data center in the Westin Hotel to a 37-story office tower across the street.  IBEW Local 46 brought a resolution supporting this approach to the Washington State Labor Council in 2025, where it passed with overwhelming support. Worker organizations involved in these projects have practical solutions to community concerns regarding energy affordability, renewable energy, water use, and noise impacts, and they should be central participants in the public conversation going forward.

 WHEREAS, Separate from the issues associated with data centers, many union members have concerns regarding Artificial Intelligence technology and its impact on workers. If AI is deployed, it must be implemented safely, ethically, and with strong protections for workers. MLK Labor recognizes that not all concerns can be easily addressed at the City of Seattle level, but it supports the City exploring all available tools – especially those related to job loss and labor standards.  MLK Labor further supports union-member engagement on these critical issues.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Seattle Mayor and City Council should convene a stakeholder process to make recommendations on two topics:

1. How to ensure that local data centers meet high-road standards from the standpoint of labor, environmental sustainability, and energy affordability; and
2. How to mitigate harms to workers from AI deployment. Labor organizations with experience in constructing data centers, organizing tech workers, and supporting workers affected by AI-driven job loss should have a seat at the table.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: MLK Labor will support this effort by creating a survey for our affiliated unions and community partners. If sufficient volunteer capacity exists, MLK Labor will establish a temporary organizing committee to assist with worker canvassing, listening sessions, and member engagement.