A chat with Building Trades leader Chris Hannan

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Last year Chris Hannan was named President of the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, which represents nearly half a million members in the construction trades. Hannan had earlier served as the Executive Secretary of the Los Angeles and Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council. SBCTC is one of the biggest players in California labor politics, particularly in housing policy. President Hannan joined us to talk about the trades, about his own journey from apprentice sprinkler fitter to the president’s office and about the role of union construction workers in California’s future.

All that, plus Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics.

1:03 What has the first year been like?

4:41 The transition to leadership

6:26 SoCal vs. NorCal

9:36 Impact of state’s Budget deficit on SBCTC

11:36 California’s big infrastructure projects

14:55 The differing views on Housing policy

17:05 How to get into the trades

22:46 WWCA

Ed’s note: Edited to change “pipe fitter” to “sprinkler fitter”