America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Joyce Goldstein Labor Lawyer / Dave Wondolowski (CLE BCTC) / Jamie Fleming (Teamsters Local 174)

Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary Dave Wondolowski joined the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about the plethora of job opportunities in the Cleveland area, the need to recruit apprentices and organize non-union members and the Sherwin-Williams project.  

 

Jamie Fleming, Director of Communications and Research Teamsters Local 174, also appeared on today’s podcast and discussed a four-month strike by 330 Seattle concrete mixer drivers and why negotiations have reached an impasse. 

 

The third guest on AWF was labor lawyer Joyce Goldstein, who talked about the process to file a labor dispute claim with the National Labor Relations Board.

Desiree Hoffman (UAW) / Jeff Shudak (Western Iowa AFL-CIO)

Jeff Shudak, President of Western Iowa AFL-CIO, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to speak about the effects of anti-labor legislation in Iowa. He also explained how the AFL-CIO and Western Iowa Labor Federation have helped the striking workers at Kellogg’s and John Deere.     

 

United Auto Workers Legislative Coordinator Desiree Hoffman joined the podcast to discuss the future of the electric vehicle tax credits, the Striking Workers Healthcare Protection Act and how parts of the Build Back Better Bill may still become law one day.

Sue McConnell (Better Business Bureau) / Jon Schleuss (NewsGuild)

The NewsGuild-Communication Workers of America President Jon Schleuss joined the AWF Podcast and discussed a recent union victory for New York Times tech workers and an upcoming unionization vote for employees at an Ohio newspaper. He also spoke about federal legislation that could potentially affect the industry -  the Local Journalism Sustainability Act and the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act.

 

Sue McConnell, President of the Cleveland Better Business Bureau, was today’s second guest and she explained how to avoid potential scams related to the war in Ukraine. She also discussed Google Voice scams and bar crawl event scams.

Frank Mathews (CWA D4)

Frank Mathews, Communications’ Workers of America District 4 Administrative Director, joined today’s podcast to discuss a recently released U.S. government report that revealed corporate America used its clout in the labor market to cut wages by 20 percent. He also spoke about the recent nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown to the U.S. Supreme Court and her support of workers against corporate America.  

Jon Brian (Ironworkers Local 22) / Andrew Tinkham (OCC)

Ironworkers Local 22 Business Manager John Whitaker and Western Region Organizer Jon Brian join the AWF Podcast to speak about the challenges of organizing in Indiana, a So-Called “Right to Work” state. They also discuss the Federal Bridge Formula Program and how it will provide funding to rebuild bridges in Indiana.

 

Andrew Tinkham of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel discusses a $306 million settlement FirstEnergy will pay to consumers for collecting excessive profits. He also warns listeners about numerous scams to avoid.

Kelly Harrop (C/CO BCTC) / Fred Redmond (AFL-CIO)

Kelly Harrop, Communications Director for the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, was the first guest on today’s podcast. She spoke about her experience running as a candidate in the Democratic Primary to become a member of the Ohio House of Representatives. She also discussed the region’s building boom and the award winning Building Futures and Driving Futures program.

 

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer and USW International Vice President Fred Redmond appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about President Biden’s first State of the Union Address, the war in Ukraine and the upcoming 29th Constitutional Convention of the AFL-CIO.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown / Kelly Dierkes (Ironworkers Local 549)

Iron workers Local 549 Business Agent and President Kelly Dierkes joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the effort to reinstate Prevailing Wage in West Virginia. As part of the process, he is giving tours of registered building trades apprenticeship programs to help educate anti-union politicians on the difference this training makes in the construction industry.

 

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown made his regular appearance on the podcast to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine and how the situation is being handled by President Joe Biden. Brown also spoke about the importance of educating Ohio leaders on how to apply for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding in order to bring funding back to the Buckeye State.

Gina Walsh (Insulators LMCT) / Dave Megenhardt (ULA)

Gina Walsh, Deputy Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust joined the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about a virtual conference for tradeswomen, designed to help them feel more empowered in the construction industry.  

 

United Labor Agency Executive Director Dave Megenhardt also appeared on the podcast and discussed employment opportunities within the ULA and throughout the greater Cleveland area including the Cleveland MetroParks.  

Tim Burga (OH AFL-CIO) / Jimmy Hart (Metal Trades Department)

Tim Burga, President of Ohio AFL-CIO, made his monthly appearance on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about corporate greed affecting contract negotiations between the United Steelworkers Union and Marathon Petroleum. He also provided an update on Ohio’s redistricting process and how Ohio’s May Primary Election could be compromised. 

 

AFL-CIO Metal Trades Department President Jimmy Hart was today’s second guest and discussed a plan to repair submarines that could bring upwards of 5,000 jobs to two cities in Ohio. Hart also touched on the importance of using America’s waterways to help alleviate the current supply chain crisis. 

Greg Regan (Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO) / Brad Britton (UA Local 565)

Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 565 Business Manager Brad Britton joined the AWF Podcast and discussed how the 2016 repeal of West Virginia’s Prevailing Wage law has hurt the state’s building trades, taxpayers and local economies. Furthermore, he explained how construction industry license requirement cuts have created a “race to the bottom” mentality within the industry.

 

Greg Regan, Transportation Trades Department President of the AFL-CIO, also appeared on the podcast and spoke about issues within the railroad industry. Instead of focusing on delivering results, the hedge funds who control the railroads are focused on cutting costs by running bare bones crews, which helped lead to the nation’s current supply chain crisis.