America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Kathy Newman (Working Class Perspectives) / Emil Ramirez (USW)

Kathy Newman, Professor of Literary and Cultural studies for Carnegie Mellon University and a contributor to Working Class Perspectives, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about a blog she wrote about Sidney Poitier’s life as an actor and his working class roots.

 

United Steelworkers Union District 11 Director Emil Ramirez was today’s second guest and he talked about the need to increase the domestic mining of precious metals needed for solar panels, wind turbines, electric car batteries and other technologies.

Tom Buffenbarger (Independent Labor Voice)

Tom Buffenbarger, an Independent Labor Voice, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and talked about the importance of manufacturing U.S. defense items domestically. He also discussed the Federal Railway Labor Act and how it has affected the nation’s supply chain. 

John Murphy (Teamsters) / Pete Ielmini Executive Director (LMCT)

Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT) Executive Director Pete Ielmini joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how the war in Ukraine has put a spotlight on energy dependence and why mechanical insulation is important to conserving energy resources. He also spoke about the benefits of energy efficiency audits. 

 

International Brotherhood of Teamsters Vice President At-Large John Murphy was today’s second guest. He explained how the nearly bankrupt Central States Pension Plan will soon be eligible to file for relief from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) under the American Rescue Plan.

Bill Samuel (AFL-CIO) / Guy Callaway (LiUNA Local 660)

AFL-CIO Director of Government Affairs Bill Samuel joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed President Biden’s Building a Better America plan, which contains many items from the defeated Build Back Better plan. He also detailed the efforts of Marty Walsh, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary, to boost use of Prevailing Wage laws and the ridiculous plan proposed by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) called his 11-point Plan to Rescue America.      

 

Laborers International Union of North America President Local 660 Guy Callaway was today’s second guest and he talked about the importance of supporting pro-union political candidates, regardless of their party affiliation. He also spoke about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the projects it will bring to Local 660’s jurisdiction.

Will Attig (Union Veterans Council) / Kristi Snider (LiUNA! Local 814)

Union Veterans Council Executive Director Will Attig joined the AWF Union podcast and announced the UVC was designated a constituency organization by the AFL-CIO as an independent organization. He also urged veterans to manage their stress when watching news about the war in Ukraine and discussed the report by the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment.     

 

Laborers International Union of North America Local 814 Business Manager Kristi Snider was today’s second guest. She spoke about efforts to organize healthcare and social assistance workers in West Virginia, contract negotiations with West Virginia Wesleyan College and how an app helped increase member participation.

Jeff Stoffer (American Legion) / Norm Wernet (Alliance for Retired Americans)

American Legion Media and Communication Director Jeff Stoffer joined the America’s Work Force Union podcast and discussed Operation Dominic, a program that resumed nuclear testing during the Kennedy Administration. He also spoke bout the war in Ukraine and supply chain issues.  

 

Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans State Director Norm Wernet was today’s second guest and he talked about a plan by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) to ultimately terminate Social Security and Medicare. He also discussed a proposal by the Biden Administration to fund long-term nursing care with Medicare and Medicaid dollars.  

Jennifer Berkshire (The Nation) / Pat Gallagher (North Coast Area Labor Federation)

Jennifer Berkshire, a contributing writer for The Nation, joined the America’s Work Force Union podcast to discuss the current state of American education and why teachers are leaving the profession. She also explained how culture wars, attacks on critical race theory and book censorship led to a progressive political backlash on school boards in New Hampshire.

 

North Coast Area Labor Federation President Pat Gallagher joined the AWF Union Podcast and discussed the ongoing United Steelworkers strike at the Sherwin-Williams plant in Bedford Heights, Ohio, and efforts to organize an AM/NS Calvert Plant. He also spoke about the Ohio redistricting process and the upcoming AFL-CIO Convention in June.  

Darryll Bell (AFGE) / Casey Mullooly (UMWA District 2)

American Federation of Government Employees Local 31 President Darryll Bell joined today’s podcast and discussed recommendations to close hundreds of VA clinics in a move to privatize veteran healthcare. He also spoke about a class-action lawsuit for public employees exposed to COVID-19.    

 

Casey Mullooly, District 2 Representative with the United Mine Workers Association, joined the AWF Podcast and provided an update on negotiations in the nearly 1-year mining strike against Warrior Met Coal. He also discussed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the work climate for UMW members.  

Melissa Cropper (OFT-AFT) / Tom Benvenuto (Teamsters Local 200)

Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper joined the AWF Union Podcast to speak about the historic affiliation between the American Federation of Teachers and the American Association of University Professors. She also talked about two OFT members who are running for seats on the State Teachers Retirement System Board.

 

Today’s second guest was Teamsters Local 200 Business Rep. Tom Benvenuto, who discussed the advantages truck drivers have in the current employment market, and how they can use this leverage to increase their pay.

Justin Williams (IUOE Local 132) / Brian Dunn (UA Local 669)

Brian Dunn, Business Manager of Sprinkler Fitters Local 669, appeared on today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the role organizing non-union members played in the growth of the Local. He also addressed the importance of the United Association Veterans in Piping Program at Fort Campbell, which teaches active-duty transitioning military service members a basic sprinkler fitting skillset and guarantees them a job with a Local 669 signatory contractor. 

 

International Union of Operating Engineers Local 132 Attorney and Lobbyist Justin Williams was the second guest on today’s podcast. He spoke about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. He also discussed the political climate in West Virginia and how state legislators are slowly realizing the repeal of the state’s Prevailing Wage law did not work.