America’s Work Force Union Podcast

David Rutledge (Southeast Laborers District Council) / Doris Crouse-Mays (Virginia AFL-CIO)

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.

Tommy Maloney (IBEW Local 96) / Andrew Cortes (Rhode Island Building Futures) / Tom Buffenbarger (Independent Labor Voice)

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.

Don Marcus (Masters Mates and Pilots) / Greg Regan (Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO)

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.

Donnie Blatt (USW District 1) / Sherry Linkon (Working Class Perspectives)

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.

Bill Samuel (AFL-CIO) / Len DiCosimo (AFM Local 4)

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.

Pete Ielmini (Mechanical Insulators LMCT) / Demos Demopoulos (Teamsters Local 553)

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.

Melissa Cropper (OFT-AFT) / Eric St. Pierre (Humana)

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.

Bill Blackman (IBEW Local 136) / Lou Antonellis (IBEW Local 103) / Yanira Moreno (LCLAA)

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.

Jeff Stoffer (American Legion) / Rich Fiesta (Alliance for Retired Americans)

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.

Ilana Cohen (The Nation) / Pat Gallagher (North Coast Area Labor Federation)

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.