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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 29, 2021
Wednesday Sep 29, 2021
Southeast Laborers District Council Assistant Business Manager David Rutledge was the first guest on today’s edition of AWF Union Podcast. He spoke about the current Vanderbilt University worker negotiations, apprenticeship readiness programs and how the construction market is tighter than ever, making it harder to find workers.
Virginia AFL-CIO President Doris Crouse-Mays was also featured on today’s episode. She spoke about political efforts at the state level, how Virginia has made progress to improve the standing of workers and what legislators can do to improve the situation.
Tuesday Sep 28, 2021
Tuesday Sep 28, 2021
IBEW Local 96 Business Manager Tommy Maloney joined the AWF Union Podcast to offer updates on projects being worked on by Local 96 members, job opportunities in the renewable sector, the IBEW Code of Excellence and their apprenticeship program.
Rhode Island Building Futures Executive Director Andrew Cortes was also a featured guest on today’s show. He spoke about how the program came to be, SEIU members training updates, and how an apprenticeship will help people receive the training they need to get a good job and put them on the path to the middle class.
Independent Labor Voice Tom Buffenbarger discussed the debt ceiling, the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, the saving of money from the Department of Defense, the reallocation of funds and more on today’s episode.
Monday Sep 27, 2021
Monday Sep 27, 2021
Masters Mates and Pilots President Don Marcus made his debut appearance on America’s Work Force Union Podcast. He discussed what the organization does, who they represent and how COVID-19 has affected the industry. He also discussed an event at the White House with President Biden and other labor advocates.
Transportation Trades Department President Greg Regan was the second guest on today's show. Regan spoke about assault on frontline workers in the transportation industry, and the FAA working with airlines on updating their travel regulations.
Friday Sep 24, 2021
Donnie Blatt (USW District 1) / Sherry Linkon (Working Class Perspectives)
Friday Sep 24, 2021
Friday Sep 24, 2021
Working Class Perspectives Contributing Writer Sherry Linkon joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast today. She discussed how the working class can make up ground in the U.S. economy. She also discussed a TV series that looks at the fall of many midwest towns.
United Steelworkers District 1 Director Donnie Blatt was also featured on today’s episode. He discussed USW redistricting, how the COVID-19 resurgence has affected the USW membership and their stance on vaccines and vaccine incentive programs.
Thursday Sep 23, 2021
Bill Samuel (AFL-CIO) / Len DiCosimo (AFM Local 4)
Thursday Sep 23, 2021
Thursday Sep 23, 2021
AFL-CIO Government Affairs Director Bill Samuel was the first featured guest today on AWF Union Podcast. He spoke about the budget reconciliation, fixing the filibuster and imposing penalties on companies who break labor law.
Also featured on today’s show was AFM Local 4 President Len DiCosimo. He discussed the Build Back Better Plan, the American Rescue Plan and vaccination in concert venues.
Wednesday Sep 22, 2021
Pete Ielmini (Mechanical Insulators LMCT) / Demos Demopoulos (Teamsters Local 553)
Wednesday Sep 22, 2021
Wednesday Sep 22, 2021
Heat and Frost Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust Executive Director Pete Ielmini was the first featured guest on today’s edition of AWF Union Podcast. He spoke about slowing climate change through energy audits, improving energy efficiency through better mechanical insulation and more.
Today’s second guest was Teamsters Local 553 Secretary-Treasurer Demos Demopoulos. He rejoined the show to discuss the ongoing strike at United Metro Energy, and why United Metro Energy is being so unreasonable.
Tuesday Sep 21, 2021
Melissa Cropper (OFT-AFT) / Eric St. Pierre (Humana)
Tuesday Sep 21, 2021
Tuesday Sep 21, 2021
Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper joined the AWF Union Podcast today to discuss mask mandates in Ohio schools and their effectiveness. She also discussed the recent redrawing of Ohio’s congressional maps. Cropper contends the maps are unconstitutional.
Humana Associate Vice President of Group Medicare Eric St. Pierre was also featured on today’s episode. He spoke about group Medicare Advantage plans and how they offer great care to retirees.
Monday Sep 20, 2021
Monday Sep 20, 2021
IBEW Local 136 Business Manager Bill Blackman joined today’s episode of AWF Union Podcast. He discussed a Responsible Bidder Ordinance being considered by the Birmingham, Ala. City Council. Blackman also spoke about the Alabama Organized Labor Awards Foundation offering annual scholarships to union members or immediate family to go to post secondary schools, and scholarships for building trades apprentices.
IBEW Local 103 Business Manager and Financial Secretary Lou Antonellis later joined the show. He spoke about the Polar Park Project; how the Green Line Extension Project will create hundreds of new jobs; and Boston’s mayoral race, including who his Local Union plans to endorse.
The third guest on today’s episode was the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement National President Yanira Moreno. She spoke about the pay gap that Latina Americans face, and how migrant workers could benefit from having a union presence in their workplace.
Friday Sep 17, 2021
Friday Sep 17, 2021
American Legion Director of Media and Communications Jeff Stoffer was the first featured guest on today’s edition of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast. He spoke about a recent interview the American Legion did with the VA Secretary about recent mandates for their healthcare workers, wind therapy on dirtbikes to assist with PTSD and veterans finding healing through farming therapy for PTSD.
Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Director Rich Fiesta was also featured on the AWF Union Podcast today. He spoke about the Texas ARA suing the state over their newly passed voter restriction law, and the constant battle for the negotiation of prescription drug prices.
Thursday Sep 16, 2021
Ilana Cohen (The Nation) / Pat Gallagher (North Coast Area Labor Federation)
Thursday Sep 16, 2021
Thursday Sep 16, 2021
Contributing writer for The Nation and current Harvard student Ilana Cohen was the first featured guest on today’s episode of the AWF Union Podcast. She spoke about Harvard students organizing to encourage the school to divest from fossil fuel dependency and how they were able to accomplish this feat.
North Coast Area Labor Federation President Pat Gallagher was the second speaker on the show today and he discussed the recent Cleveland mayoral primary election, bringing steel and manufacturing plants back to the U.S. and a vaccination incentivization program.