165K
Downloads
1018
Episodes
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
Friday Oct 30, 2020
Friday Oct 30, 2020
Illinois Economic Policy Institute Policy Director Frank Manzo, IV, was the first of two featured guests today on AWF Union Podcast. Manzo spoke about the need to transition people from nonrenewable energy jobs to clean energy jobs, how climate is impacting infrastructure and investing in clean energy.
LIUNA MN & ND Regional Research Manager Lucas Franco was the second guest on the show today. He discussed clean energy jobs in the upper midwest, political backlash to clean energy jobs and good paying prevailing wage jobs for local workers.
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Jimmy Williams, Jr. (IUPAT) / Greg Kozera (Shale Crescent USA)
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
IUPAT General VP at Large Jimmy Williams, Jr. was the first guest on today’s installment of AWF Union Podcast. He spoke with host Ed “Flash” Ferenc about encouraging their membership to vote, and how IUPAT members preserve the life cycle of infrastructure.
Greg Kozera, Director of Marketing at Shale Crescent USA was our second guest speaker on the show today. He addressed the U.S. competing with China on manufacturing, keeping jobs in the U.S. and helping young people understand there are good quality apprenticeships that will lead them to a viable career.
Wednesday Oct 28, 2020
Pete Ielmini (Mechanical Insulators LMCT) / Sam Loesche (Teamsters)
Wednesday Oct 28, 2020
Wednesday Oct 28, 2020
Mechanical Insulators LMCT Executive Director Pete Ielmini rejoined America’s Work Force Union Podcast today to discuss getting out the vote, issues with receiving information or misinformation about candidates, holding politicians accountable and extensions on voting.
Our second featured guest was Sam Loesche, Legislative Representative for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. He spoke about the efforts by the Trump administration to deregulate the trucking industry, including drive time regulations, independent contracting and how Joe Biden can roll back these deregulatory actions.
Tuesday Oct 27, 2020
Tom Buffenbarger (Former IAM GP) / Sue McConnell (BBB Cleveland)
Tuesday Oct 27, 2020
Tuesday Oct 27, 2020
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Former General President Tom Buffenbarger was the first featured guest on America’s Work Force Union Podcast. He addressed jobs disappearing, President Trump’s blatant disregard for health and safety during the pandemic and union members voting in the upcoming election.
Later on, Cleveland Better Business Bureau President Sue McConnell spoke about some scams to be on the lookout for. She spoke about online scams and how they have been listed as the riskiest scam for consumers three years in a row, Amazon spoofing scams and rogue mover scams.
Monday Oct 26, 2020
Monday Oct 26, 2020
We were honored to have James Roosevelt Jr., grandson of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the Vice-Chair of the Advisory Board for the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare on AWF Union Podcast. Roosevelt spoke about his grandfather’s legacy, how the Trump administration was way more conservative than expected and the history of social security and the fight to protect it.
Our second featured guest today was Transportation Trades Department President Larry Willis. Willis discussed keeping transport workers safe while working on the frontlines during the pandemic and how a Biden presidency will benefit transport workers.
Friday Oct 23, 2020
John Russo (Working-Class Perspectives) / Amber Miller (USW)
Friday Oct 23, 2020
Friday Oct 23, 2020
Working-Class Perspectives Co-Editor John Russo was the first featured guest on today’s edition of America’s Work Force Union Podcast. Russo spoke about the importance of Ohio in the upcoming election, if union members will vote for President Trump again and the value of home health care workers and passing legislation to protect them.
Also featured on the podcast today was the United Steelworkers Director of Rapid Response Amber Miller. She spoke about the USW’s Rapid Response program and how it empowers their members to use their collective voice to engage in legislative issues impacting their workplace and issues the program focuses on in terms of legislative efforts on behalf of their members.
Thursday Oct 22, 2020
Thursday Oct 22, 2020
AFL-CIO Director of Government Affairs Bill Samuel joined Ed “Flash” Ferenc on AWF Union Podcast today to discuss the current political climate in Washington leading up to the election, how President Trump is deregulating standards for workers and what is expected to happen after the election.
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Deputy Director Sean Egan was our second featured guest on the podcast today. Egan spoke about emergency rules issued by MIOSHA and Michigan Workers' Compensation Agency protecting frontline workers.
Wednesday Oct 21, 2020
Arnold Scott (AFGE ) / Tom Maloney (IBEW Local 96)
Wednesday Oct 21, 2020
Wednesday Oct 21, 2020
American Federation of Government Employees District 6 National Vice President Arnold Scott joined Ed “Flash” Ferenc on today’s edition of AWF Union Podcast to discuss how the Trump administration had drastically affected AFGE employees.
The second guest on the podcast today was a newcomer to the show. IBEW Local 96 Business Manager Tom Maloney spoke about the current state of work for Local 96 members, how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the local at the start of the pandemic, working on a minor league baseball stadium project and the IBEW Code of Excellence.
Tuesday Oct 20, 2020
Melissa Cropper (OFT-AFT) / Jason Walsh (BlueGreen Alliance)
Tuesday Oct 20, 2020
Tuesday Oct 20, 2020
American Federation of Teachers Vice President Melissa Cropper was the first featured guest on America’s Work Force Union Podcast today. With election season in full swing, Cropper covered topics such as state school board elections in Ohio, the incumbents up for reelection in the Ohio Supreme Court, the Presidential election and a bus tour through Ohio.
The second guest was BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director Jason Walsh who covered a wide range of topics. He offered some background about the organization, organizing the wind and solar industries, fundamental labor law reform, President Trump’s broken promises to the coal mining industry and how a second term for President Trump may cause a major crisis for workers and worker rights.
Monday Oct 19, 2020
Monday Oct 19, 2020
As the pandemic continues to ravage economies across the United States, Americans have been left with a decreased quality of public services. Policy Matters Ohio Senior Project Director Wendy Patton joined AWF Union Podcast and spoke to this today and how her organization designed a proposal to increase revenue in Ohio.
The second featured guest on the show today is American Public Transportation Association President and CEO Paul Skoutelas. He spoke about long term infrastructure bills, extending the FAST Act and the health and safety commitments made by his organization.
The International Union of Operating Engineers Legislative and Political Director Jeff Soth wrapped up today’s episode. He discussed the failure to reach a legislative agreement on surface transportation program extension, the current state of employment for operating engineers and other laborers and the economic outlook for the Highway Trust Fund and employment.