Peter J. Brennan
| Peter J. Brennan | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 13th United States Secretary of Labor | |
|
In office February 2, 1973 – March 15, 1975 |
|
| President |
Richard Nixon Gerald Ford |
| Preceded by | James D. Hodgson |
| Succeeded by | John T. Dunlop |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Peter Joseph Brennan May 24, 1918 New York, New York |
| Died | October 2, 1996 (aged 78) Massapequa, New York |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Josephine Brickley |
| Children | Peter Joseph Brennan, Jr. Joan Brennan Peggy Brennan |
| Alma mater | City College of New York |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Peter Joseph Brennan (May 24, 1918 – October 2, 1996) was United States Secretary of Labor under Presidents Nixon and Ford. He served between February 2, 1973 and March 15, 1975. Brennan had previously been the president of both the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York and the Building and Construction Trades Council of New York, and returned to the former position after leaving the Ford administration. He was a strong opponent of affirmative action measures to increase the number of minority construction workers. Following the Hard Hat Riot of May 8, 1970, Brennan was wooed by the Nixon administration as a potential supporter in the 1972 presidential election. His work for Nixon in that election was crucial in increasing the vote for Nixon in New York and in the union movement.
Peter J. Brennan was born in New York City in 1918. His father was an ironworker who died from influenza. He graduated from Commerce High School, then received a B.S. degree in business administration from the City College of New York. While in college, he became an apprentice painter and joined Local 1456 of the Painter's Union.
After the USA entered World War II, Brennan enlisted in the Navy, serving as a chief petty officer aboard a submarine home ported in Guam. Brennan's career as a union official started when he was elected business manager of Local 1456 in 1947. In 1951, he became the director of the New York Building Trades Council's Maintenance Division.
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