The world's most technologically advanced chip-making plant, the IBM plant in East Fishkill, Dutchess County, has been so successful it is now undergoing an expansion, with Laborers from Local 1000 in Poughkeepsie on the job since last summer.

The $1.9 billion expansion of IBM Building 323 is a combined effort of many partners, including New York state, IBM, Sony, Toshiba, Samsung, Infineon, AMD and Charter. As part of the current project, 380,000 square feet will be added to the building's existing structure, already a massive 140,000 square feet. Local 1000 Laborers have been busy at the site, located two hours north of midtown Manhattan, since August.

Work on Building 323 includes excavation, site utility relocation and concrete work. There is additional work in the tooling of the building, the process of hooking up the pipes and electricity to the machines once they are placed.

"With perseverance, we've been able to keep our members employed on this project - and continue to have them contribute to the growth in the East Fishkill area," said Local 1000 Business Manager Phil Benante, who worked on the original chip plant construction project in 1982. "Having my local involved in the expansion is quite satisfying, especially since this job and many others these days are using the latest technology, which can take a lot of men off the job."

To date, some 35 Laborers have been involved in the expansion; currently, 20 members are on the job. The project is tentatively scheduled to be completed in the fall.