The 4 AM Reality: Krissy Webber on Childcare Barriers for Women in the Trades

Women in Construction Week is about more than just a recruitment campaign—it’s about a workforce reality. Joining the America’s Work Force Union Podcast is Krissy Webber, Business Manager of the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local 97 in Illinois. As one of the few women leading a construction local, Webber offers a blunt assessment of why the industry must evolve to meet modern labor demands. In this episode, we discuss: The Union Advantage: Why equal pay, healthcare, and pensions starting on "Day 1" make roofing a middle-class stabilizer. The Retention Gap: Why the "4:00 AM reality" of construction start times makes childcare the #1 barrier for women in the trades. Leadership Representation: Why having women in less than 1% of management roles stalls recruitment momentum. Career Transitions: Webber’s shift from the burnout of retail management to the security of a union career. Webber’s message to women is simple: The trades are a present workforce necessity, not a future goal. Get involved, find your allies, and start building your retirement today.