America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Bridget Early (National Public Pension Coalition) / Mac Regan (Author, The 2020 American Revolution: 20/20 Decision Support for Voters)

Today’s first featured guest on America’s Work Force Radio Podcast was Bridget Early, Executive Director of the National Public Pension Coalition. She spoke about pension plans and how they are a small fraction of a state’s annual budget.

The second featured guest was Mac Regan, author of “The 2020 American Revolution: 20/20 Decision Support for Voters.” He spoke about his book and how to empower voters for the 2020 presidential election.

Bill Samuel (AFL-CIO) / Bob Swanson (Finishing Contractors Association)

The first featured guest on America’s Work Force Radio Podcast was Bill Samuel, Government Affairs Director of the AFL-CIO. He spoke about OSHA needing to “beef up” safety standards post COVID-19 pandemic, the union difference in the workplace, the Protect the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, and the HEROES Act.

The second featured guest speaker was retired paint contractor with the Finishing Contractors Association, Bob Swanson, who spoke about mental health in the building trades and ending the stigma that mental illness makes a person “weak”.

Pete Ielmini (Mechanical Insulators LMCT) / John Murphy (International Brotherhood of Teamsters)

The first featured guest on America’s Work Force Radio Podcast was Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust. He spoke about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their apprenticeship training and asbestos ban bills.

The second featured guest was John Murphy, International Vice President At Large of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, who spoke about the HEROES Act and the Emergency Pension Plan Relief Act.

Tom Buffenbarger (Former IAM) / Jon Reiss (Cuyahoga County Veterans Service Commission)

Today's first featured guest on America’s Work Force Radio Podcast was Tom Buffenbarger, independent labor voice and former General President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. He spoke about the union difference in the workplace and how safety standards will change in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The second featured guest was Jon Reiss, Executive Director of the Cuyahoga County Veterans Service Commission who spoke about Memorial Day and the services their organization offers to veterans.

Will Attig (Union Veterans Council) / Don Marcus (International Organization of Masters, Mates, and Pilots - TTD)

The first featured guest today on America's Work Force Radio Podcast was Will Attig, Executive Director of the Union Veterans Council of the AFL-CIO. He spoke about how a job in the trades helps veterans achieve the dream of stable employment when they transition out of the military, and how the Union Veterans Council fights for veterans.

The second featured guest was Don Marcus, International President of the International Organization of Masters, Mates, and Pilots of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO. He spoke about how the COVID-19 pandemic has been impacting their members and their industry.

Christopher Martin (University of Northern Iowa) / Maria Somma (USW)

The first featured guest today on America's Work Force Radio Podcast was Christopher Martin, professor of digital journalism in the department of communications at the University of Northern Iowa. He spoke about his article, “People Ain’t Gonna Come to Work if They Don’t Feel Safe”, which highlights the poor working conditions in meat packing facilities and low safety standards during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The second guest on the show today was Maria Somma, organizing director with the United Steelworkers spoke about the union difference and how workers are now looking more favorably on unions and organizing.

Jeet Heer (The Nation) / Pat Gallagher ( USW D1)

Today's first featured guest on America’s Work Force Radio Podcast was Jeet Heer, national affairs correspondent with The Nation. Heer spoke about his latest column “Facing a Real Catastrophe With a Pretend President.” In the article, he explains President Trump and other politicians being absent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The second featured guest was Pat Gallagher on District 1 Director for the United Steelworkers. He spoke about USW political endorsements and why it is so important to invest in infrastructure.

Laurie Glicker (AFGE Local 3283) / Betsy Rader (Ohio State Senate, District 18)

The first featured guests on America's Work Force Radio Podcast were Laurie Glicker the Executive Vice President of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 3283 and Secretary for Council 171 and Dan Drost, Legislative Stewards for AFGE Local 3283 who discussed unions protecting their members and President Trump's constant attack on federal employees and unions.

 

The second featured guest was Betsy Rader, Employment Lawyer and candidate for the Ohio State Senate, District 18 spoke about labor issues that have been prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the union difference in the workplace.

 

 

Melissa Croppter (OFT - AFT) / Dan O'Brien (Business Journal)

The first featured guest on America's Work Force Radio Podcast today was Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers. Cropper spoke about five steps that need to be taken to ensure schools can open safely.

The second featured guess today was Dan O'Brien, author with the Business Journal who spoke about enterprise zoning and his investigation with Pro Publica into the seemingly abandoned Chill-Can campus project.

Mike Polensek (Cleveland City Council) / Steve Groff (Cover Crop Innovators)

The first featured guest today on America's Work Force Radio Podcast was Cleveland City Councilman Mike Polensek who discussed the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the economy.

The second featured guest today was Steve Groff from Cover Crop Innovators who spoke about the possibility of a food shortage, and future-proofing opportunities for farmers.