The construction job market was devastated during the Great Recession — losing 2 million workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics — and despite competitive wages and an economy that was until recently booming, the industry has been slow to grow. The limited availability of tradespeople has had detrimental effects on construction costs across the Bay Area, helping to drive up the astronomical housing prices found regionwide. Hear directly from the building trades unions about the current state of our construction workforce, and learn what it will take to both retain and attract workers.
+ Jean Cohen / UA Local Union 393
+ Tony Mirenda / Blach Construction Company
+ Louise Auerhahn / Working Partnerships USA
+ Alex Lantsberg / San Francisco Electrical Construction Industry
+ Rob Stoker / Sheet Metal Local 104