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America’s Work Force Union Podcast provides a clear and unfiltered voice for the working people of America. Radio veteran Ed “Flash” Ferenc leads the discussion with a focus on topics that include the impact of labor unions in America, workers’ rights, legislative actions and labor-management relations. Featured guests include various labor leaders, politicians, journalists and more. America’s Work Force Union Podcast provides updates and information from sources around the United States and continues to be the trusted voice for workers across the country.
Episodes
Wednesday Sep 30, 2020
Rick Sloan (Former IAM) / Mike Hazard (UA VIP)
Wednesday Sep 30, 2020
Wednesday Sep 30, 2020
Rick Sloan, former director of communications and public affairs for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) joined Ed “Flash” Ferenc on the Sept. 30 edition of America’s Work Force Union Podcast. Sloan spoke about topics including the first presidential debate, the possibility of Joe Biden winning battleground states and the impact COVID-19 has had on the workforce.
The second featured guest to join host Ed “Flash” Ferenc was the United Association Veterans in Piping Program Administrator Mike Hazard. Hazard discussed what the UA VIP program is all about, how it helps people who are transitioning out of the military find jobs, the various trades they provide training in and the benefits of an apprenticeship.
Tuesday Sep 29, 2020
Rachel Cohen (Freelance Journalist/Washington Monthly) / Jay Grimes (OOIDA)
Tuesday Sep 29, 2020
Tuesday Sep 29, 2020
On the Sept. 29 episode of AWF Union Podcast, freelance journalist Rachel Cohen spoke about her new article “How Trump Could Dismantle Workers’ Rights with Another Four Years” which was published in the Washington Monthly. The article details how a second term for President Trump could negatively affect organized labor.
Jay Grimes with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association spoke with AWF Union Podcast host Ed “Flash” Ferenc about USMCA cross-border trucking issues, new provisions causing hardships for Mexican truckers and investigation and review processes established by USMCA.
Monday Sep 28, 2020
Monday Sep 28, 2020
Brian Turmail, Vice President of Public Affairs and Strategic Initiatives with Associated General Contractors of America, member of the Americans for Transportation Mobility Coalition, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast on Sept. 28. He discussed why Congress needs to extend the current surface transportation law beyond Sept. 30. He also spoke about how investments in our transportation infrastructure will create badly-needed, high-paying, construction careers and boost the broader American economy.
Our second guest on the show today was Senior Vice President for Advocacy of the American Council of Engineering Companies Steve Hall. He spoke with host Ed “Flash” Ferenc about Congress and the administration needing to come together on an infrastructure-based recovery agenda for the nation, the failure to deliver a major infrastructure package and looking for a way to pass a new infrastructure bill in 2021.
The last featured guest on today’s installment of AWF Union Podcast was the Transportation Trades Department Secretary-Treasurer Greg Regan. Regan covered topics such as the HEROES Act and other badly needed emergency relief, providing aid to AmTrak and the needs of our nation's transit systems.
Friday Sep 25, 2020
Joseph McCartin (Working Class Perspectives) / Lisa Jordan (USW)
Friday Sep 25, 2020
Friday Sep 25, 2020
Working Class Perspectives Executive Director Joseph McCartin joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast on Sept. 25. He discussed U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy urging employees at his former workplace to donate to political candidates with the promise of receiving a bonus, why Democrats are more likely to vote by mail and the importance of unions and participating in collective action.
Our second guest on the show was United Steelworkers Director of Education Lisa Jordan. Jordan spoke with host Ed “Flash” Ferenc about moving their training online and how it has helped provide training classes to locals across the country who may not have been able to afford it, the USW virtual education conference and which presidential candidate has worker interests in mind.
Thursday Sep 24, 2020
Bill Samuel (AFL-CIO) / Lenny DiCosimo (North Coast Area AFL-CIO, AFM Local 4)
Thursday Sep 24, 2020
Thursday Sep 24, 2020
The first featured guest on the Sept. 24 edition of America’s Work Force Union Podcast is AFL-CIO Government Affairs Director Bill Samuel. Samuel spoke to host Ed “Flash” Ferenc about senate Republicans rushing to fill the SCOTUS seat of the late Ruth Bader Ginsgurg. They also discussed postal unions and voting by mail, the HEROES Act and the misclassification of workers.
Long time friend of the show, Len DiCosimo, President of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 4 in Cleveland, Ohio was the second featured guest today. DiCosimo spoke about the AMF’s plans for holding rallies leading up to the election to get people informed and engaged. He also spoke about the political divide between people and the political divide between politicians.
Wednesday Sep 23, 2020
Wednesday Sep 23, 2020
Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust Executive Director Pete Ielmini was the first of three featured guests on today’s edition of America’s Work Force Union Podcast. Ielmini spoke to listeners about safety in construction and how it has changed over the years, the benefits of having a union presence on a jobsite and the increase in safety on larger construction projects.
The second guest that spoke with host Ed “Flash” Ferenc was also from the Mechanical Insulators LMCT. Mechanical Insulators LMCT Deputy Director Gina Walsh spoke about an often overlooked topic; tradeswomen and women in construction. She discussed how the presence of women in the trades grows every year and spoke about the North American Building Trades Union yearly conference, the Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference.
Our third and final guest on this installment of AWF Union Podcast was Tyler Longpine, Political Director for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Longpine spoke about the Teamsters push to get their members registered to vote, hosting virtual events and meetings to encourage their members to vote and presidential pledges.
Tuesday Sep 22, 2020
Tuesday Sep 22, 2020
On the Tuesday, Sept. 22 edition of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, former General President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Tom Buffenbarger spoke about former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley’s plan to get Boeing to open a new plant in her state, President Trump’s trade policies and the 2020 presidential election.
Also featured on today’s podcast was the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association President and CEO Michael Johnson, a member of the American’s for Transportation Mobility Coalition. During his segment, Johnson spoke with host Ed “Flash” Ferenc about infrastructure investment, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, and long-term and sustainable investment.
Monday Sep 21, 2020
Monday Sep 21, 2020
Michael Shields of Policy Matters Ohio was the first featured guest on today’s installment of America’s Work Force Union Podcast. Shields spoke about PMO’s yearly study titled “State of Working Ohio” which details how the economy and working people of Ohio are thriving or struggling.
Next, United Steelworkers 2L President Jim Mason joined the podcast to discuss President Trump and his disdain for Goodyear after they banned their workers from wearing “Make America Great Again” hats at work. He also spoke about labor laws and how there has been a great disregard for them by companies during the pandemic.
Our third and final guest on AWF Union Podcast today was Sharon Johnson. Johnson is a writer for The Progressive magazine. Johnson spoke with host Ed “Flash” Ferenc about the critical roles that essential workers play in our economy. She also covered topics addressing lack of sufficient access to Personal Protective Equipment, the fight for hazard pay and new protections for workers.
Friday Sep 18, 2020
Friday Sep 18, 2020
The American Legion Media and Communications Commission Director Jeff Stoffer explained how Joe Biden and President Trump stack up on veteran issues, the current political divide and more on the Sept. 18 episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast.
Rich Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans was also a featured guest on AWF Union Podcast. He addressed issues surrounding the payroll tax, social security and the post office.
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
Steve Rank (Ironworkers International) / Michelle Chen (The Nation Magazine)
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
Today on America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Steve Rank, Executive Director of Safety and Health with the Ironworkers Union spoke about Safety Stand Down week, how ironworkers are trained on safety issues and more.
Also featured on the show today was Michelle Chen, contributing writer for The Nation Magazine. She discussed the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and how it is currently dominated by anti-work members, joint-employer standards and more.