Key California labor unions show agreement on future housing model. What is it?
Leaders of major California labor unions told legislators Wednesday they were optimistic about what the increased use of homes that are largely made in factories and put together on site could mean for their members.
“We are no way implying that construction work should be taken off of job sites,” said Jeremy Smith, chief of staff for the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California. “But the idea of modular construction intrigues us.”
One of the reasons, Smith said, is because work schedules can be more consistent than in traditional construction. People go to the same factory week after week instead of regularly moving to different sites. That allows workers more time to spend with and to care for their families.
Danny Curtin, director of the California Council of Carpenters, added that building more homes in factories could be a boon for the state’s economy.
“This could be sort of a resurgence of manufacturing in California,” he said.
Those comments came during the second hearing of a special Assembly committee that is looking at ways to reduce the cost of building homes across the state. A main idea that has been discussed by the group is increasing the use of modular homes, or those that are built in factories and then assembled once they get to a property.
Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, D-Fullerton, said she was “a little nervous” about how Wednesday’s hearing would go.
“Because I’m one of the legislators who’s been here when we started this conversation a good handful of years ago, where it was difficult,” she said.
Members encouraged by unions’ responses
Quirk-Silva came away heartened that the carpenters and trade unions saw work opportunities for their members in the future. But she also acknowledged “there still will be difficult times.”
In recent years there has been tension between the two unions and developers over wages and other issues related to state policies around home building.
Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland, who chaired the committee, said she has lived in the “very uncomfortable political place” between those interest groups in recent years.
Smith joked about the tension after Curtin told legislators he did not believe a push towards modular homes would cause a “jobs issue” for members.
“Are you ready,” Smith said, before a brief pause. “I agree with Mr. Curtin,” which caused legislators and audience members to laugh loudly.
“I think we got to get the wages right, we got to get the benefits right,” Smith added. “We support a factory setting where all the crafts are represented.”
Time will tell if the goodwill lasts. Legislators are expected to introduce bill ideas later this year based on the committee’s work.
This story was originally published January 15, 2026 at 10:21 AM.
