America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Felicia Sharp (AFGE Local 1410) / Tony Liberatore, Jr. (Laborers 860)

Today on the podcast, AFGE Local 1410 President Felicia Sharp spoke about 2021 legislative priorities for DOD members, the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccination.

Tony Liberatore, Jr., Laborers Local 860 Business Manager was also featured on today’s edition of the AWF Union Podcast. He discussed Laborers 860 members and their collective bargaining agreement with a juvenile court, issues the union is facing in the workplace and more.

Melissa Cropper (Ohio Federation of Teachers) / Andrew Spar (Florida Education Association)

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers was one of our featured guests today on AWF Union Podcast. She spoke about Ohio Senate Bill 17, fair funding for schools in Ohio, how vouchers have taken money out of Ohio school systems and COVID-19 vaccines for teachers.

Andrew Spar, President of the Florida Education Association also joined the podcast today. He discussed funding in Florida schools, the state diverting money to private schools and not helping the underfunded public schools and how Florida teachers have been attempting to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Paul Hartshorn, Jr. (Association of Professional Flight Attendants) / Andrew Tinkham (Ohio Consumers Counsel)

Paul Hartshorn, Jr., National Communications Chair of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants representing the flight attendants of American Airlines was featured today on AWF Union Podcast. Hartshorn discussed the payroll protection program and how it helped flight attendants keep their income and jobs, how the industry responded to the pandemic over the last few months and new restrictions on service animals allowed on aircrafts.

Also featured on the show was Andrew Tinkham with the Office of the Ohio Consumers Counsel. He mentioned updates on the Ohio House Bill 6, energy efficiency with holiday lighting and the winter reconnect program.

Joyce Goldstein (Joyce Goldstein & Associates) / Jim Cullen (Progressive Populist)

Joyce Goldstein, labor lawyer with Joyce Goldstein Law was one of the featured guests today on the AWF Union Podcast. She explained whether or not workers can be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine in order to continue working at their workplace and their rights surrounding compelled vaccination.

Also featured today on the podcast was Progressive Populist Editor Jim Cullen. He discussed certified election results, the cabinet members selected by the Biden-Harris administration and the hurdles they may face in confirmation.

Desiree Hoffman (UAW) / Kalitha Williams (Policy Matters Ohio)

On today’s episode of AWF Union Podcast, Policy Matters Ohio Project Director of Asset Building Kalitha Williams explained to listeners how payday lending and other short term loans are predatory. She discussed why they are so predatory and how the Ohio legislature has attempted multiple times to reform payday lending but hasn’t made any significant progress.

Desiree Hoffman, Legislative Representative with the United Auto Workers was also featured today on the podcast. Hoffman discussed updates on the state of COVID-19 relief legislation, and vaccination updates with FDA authorizations and the distribution of the vaccine.

 

Patrick Grubbs (Professor of History, Northampton Community College) / James Santelli (KDKA-TV Producers Union)

Patrick Grubbs, Professor of History at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pa. joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast today to discuss the history of the Cordwainers Union. He spoke about the cordwainers strike of 1805, what caused it and what came out of it.

KDKA-TV Producer James Santelli was also featured on today’s episode. Santelli discussed the organizing process that KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh went through, their representation by SAG-AFTRA and how their situation was different from other unions, what producers do behind the scenes and more.

Frank Mathews (CWA District 4) / Dave Wondolowski (CLE BCTC)

Communications Workers of America District 4 Administrative Director Frank Mathews joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the transition of power to the Biden administration, restructuring of the NLRB and the mediation board, the possibility of another relief package, hedge funds ruining companies and CWA’s response to COVID-19 outbreaks in the workplace.

Also featured on today’s show was Dave Wondolowski, Executive Secretary for the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council. He spoke about protecting pensions and issues with insider trading in D.C. before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kurt Steenhoek (United Association) / Sue McConnell (Cleveland BBB)

United Association (UA) International Representative Kurt Steenhoek was a featured guest on today’s edition of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast. Steenhoek discussed the UA’s water quality program, contractor and member certifications and how they develop their programs, training and standards.

Cleveland Better Business Bureau President Sue McConnell was also featured on today’s installment of the podcast. With the holidays just a few weeks away, online shopping scams are running rampant. McConnell explained how to be safe while shopping online for hot items, dangerous websites to look out for and a Zoom phishing scam.

Jim Glimco (Teamsters Local 777) / Dorsey Hager (Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council)

Teamsters Local 777 President Jim Glimco discussed how Local 777 recently ratified two collective bargaining agreements at First Student of Villa Park, negotiating contracts during a pandemic and what the drivers will gain under their new CBA’s.

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council was also featured on today’s show. He spoke with host Ed “Flash” Ferenc about the election results, a worker friendly Senate, the Driving Futures Program and promoting the trades to women.

Tim Burga (OH AFL-CIO) / Brian Schall (Kelley & Ferraro)

Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga discussed the transition of power from the Trump administration to the Biden administration, the Lame Duck session and an overview of what 2021 will look like for labor on today’s episode of AWF Union Podcast.

Brain Schall, Attorney with Kelley & Ferraro, spoke about multi-district litigation (MDL) cases with 3M and Zantac. The 3M case involves military veterans suffering from tinnitus after using their military issued ear protection from 3M. The Zantac case involves people suffering from various types of cancers after using the over-the-counter heartburn medication.