Union Painter talks path from apprentice to union treasurer by age 25

America’s Work Force Union Podcast welcomed Hannah Hill, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 90 Treasurer, as she discussed her decision to join the union, her desire to become involved in the Local and becoming the first tradeswoman in her District Council to use the IUPAT’s maternity leave policy.

Hill spoke about her journey in the trades. A former college student who was studying to become a nurse, she began to question her career choice and the debt she was accumulating. After speaking with her uncle, Hill decided to join the Painters Union and became affiliated with IUPAT District Council 58. 

She discussed her experience in DC 58’s Registered Apprenticeship Program and how it helped her safely learn how to perform the work. During her time as an apprentice, she became involved in her union. At 23, as a third-year apprentice, she became a Trustee for Local 90. Two years later, after topping out as a journeyman, she successfully ran to become Local 90 Treasurer.

Hill made history when she became the first female in District Council 58 to utilize the IUPAT’s newly implemented maternity leave policy. Prior to the policy, she explained the options: Either taking a layoff and losing your health insurance or going on short-term disability and losing a significant amount of income. Thanks to the new policy, she was able to take about 2.5 months of maternity leave before returning to work.

In November 2024, Hill organized Local 90's first Women's Committee. She formed this committee to create opportunities for women that they believed did not exist. Hill wants other tradeswomen to have the same opportunities that she has had by being an involved member, knowing what policies exist to support them and helping shape future policies to recruit and retain more women in the trades. 

Listen to the full episode to hear more about Hill’s goals to increase the number of tradeswomen in the IUPAT and help them become leaders in their unions.