MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Hundreds of people lined up along the streets outside the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union office in Midtown, hoping to get hired for jobs at Mid-South data centers.
The crowd included electricians from across the country, with some traveling from as far as Idaho and Virginia. They camped out for hours outside the union office.
Workers said the big turnout was no surprise given the pay for the jobs.
“When you got a big paying money job, you got people paying money job. It’s going to show up like this, like heavy,” said Sam, who traveled in hopes of data center work.
“Well, to be honest, Elon Musk is paying the most money in the country right now with this SpaceX little job that they got down there in Southaven, you know what I’m saying. It’s a killing,” said Ray Massey, who also traveled in hopes of data center work.
Union workers said openings go to residents first, then to those who traveled from out of state following the job opportunities.
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