America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Ryan Pollock (IBEW Local 520) / Greg Regan (Transportation Trades Department)

IBEW Local 520 Organizer Ryan Pollock joined the AWF Union Podcast today. He spoke about the Green New Deal, public auto charging stations in Texas, large corporations moving to Texas and the organizing being done to build their facilities.

Also featured on today’s show was Transportation Trades Department President Greg Regan. He spoke about the American Jobs Plan, where he would like to see infrastructure improvements and Workers Memorial Day.

Randie Pearson (United Steelworkers) / Christopher Martin (Working Class Perspectives)

United Steelworkers National Rapid Response Coordinator Randie Pearson joined the AWF Union Podcast today to discuss the USW Rapid Response program, Enbridge Line 5, what it is, why it is so important and how a person could work in the refinery industry and still be an environmentalist.

Working Class Perspectives Contributing Writer Christopher Martin was also a featured guest today’s show. He spoke about the difference between the “working class” and the “middle class” and why journalism has become an increasingly dangerous career over the last few years.

Andrew McCormick (The Nation) / Pat Gallagher (NCALF/USW District 1)

The Nation Magazine contributing writer Andrew McCormick was the first featured guest on today’s show. He spoke about climate change and the amount of misinformation surrounding it. McCormick also discussed how the military is finding it difficult to get service members to get the COVID-19 vaccination.

Also featured on the podcast today was North Coast Area Labor Federation President Pat Gallagher. He spoke about legislation being introduced that would eliminate global market distortions, the PRO Act and why areas with higher union density have better paying jobs. 

Dan Drost and Joey Graceffo (AFGE Local 3283) / Emily Feenstra (American Society of Civil Engineers)

American Society of Civil Engineers Managing Director of Government Relations and Infrastructure Initiatives Emily Feenstra was featured on the AWF Union Podcast. She spoke with host Ed “Flash” Ferenc about the U.S. infrastructure report card, what is categorized as infrastructure, whether or not the American Jobs Plan will be sufficient and how infrastructure improvements will boost other parts of the economy.

American Federation of Government Employees Local 3283 members Joey Graceffo and Dan Drost also joined today’s show. They spoke about the Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS) and what they do, security clearance issues with DFAS, the PRO Act and an overview of public sector unions.

Paul Skoutelas (American Public Transportation Association) / Melissa Cropper (Ohio Federation of Teachers)

American Public Transportation Association President and CEO Paul Skoutelas was one of the featured guests on today’s edition of the AWF Union Podcast. He spoke about the public transit industry, why it is so difficult for lawmakers to work on transportation legislation, the American Jobs Plan and how it will provide sufficient funding and investment in inner city transportation.

Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper also joined the podcast today to discuss public school funding, private school vouchers and how they hurt public schools, legislation allowing teachers and school staff to be armed with little training and legislation being presented that would ban transgender students from competing in school sports. 

Michael Johnson (National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association) / Steve Hall (American Council of Engineers Companies)

National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association President and CEO Michael W. Johnson was featured on today’s edition of the AWF Union Podcast. He discussed how an infrastructure plan will prioritize surface transportation and provide significant long-term investments, including a fix to the Highway Trust Fund, how their organization provides jobs and opportunities for people across the country and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected travel, specifically hurting the Department of Transportation’s revenue stream.

Senior Vice President of Advocacy for the American Council of Engineering Companies Steve Hall also joined our show. He discussed the American Jobs Plan, what actions Congress may take for infrastructure improvements, how the engineering industry will contribute to the improvement of America’s infrastructure and the role the American Council of Engineering Companies plays in the Americans for Transportation Mobility Coalition.

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

The America’s Work Force Union Podcast welcomed Jeff Stoffer, American Legion Director of Communications to the show. Stoffer previewed the latest edition of the American Legion magazine and stories about the Tomb of Unknown Soldier and connecting faces to the graves of fallen soldiers.

Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Director Rich Fiesta also joined the AWF Union Podcast. He detailed President Biden’s infrastructure plan and why it is important. He focused on the funding earmarked for caregiving and expanded funding to government agencies.

Tony Poole (Steamfitters and Pipefitters Local 455) / Ceretta Smith (AFGE District 5)

Steamfitters and Pipefitters Local 455 Business Manager Tony Poole was one of the featured guests on today’s AWF Union Podcast. He spoke about worker safety on jobs, PPE for workers during a pandemic, the Marathon refinery strike and a new jobs bill that would require an apprenticeship to work on an oil refinery project.

Grovetown City Councilwoman Ceretta Smith of AFGE District 5 was also featured on today’s podcast. She spoke about her military background, why she appreciates her union, running for city council and how unions continue to inspire her to fight for workers.

Jeff Bryant (Our Schools) / Laz Ayala (Illegal The Project)

The first featured guest on today’s edition of AWF Union Podcast is Chief Correspondent and writing fellow of Our Schools, Jeff Bryant. He spoke about charter schools claiming to be nonprofit when they really aren’t, charter schools owned by for-profit corporations and charter schools retaining ownership of assets paid for by taxpayers.

Also featured on today’s show was Laz Ayala, Founder of Illegal The Project. He spoke about the need for immigration reform and why lawmakers in favor of these reforms should not cut corners to get it done, or it could make things worse.

Frank Mathews (Communications Workers of America D4) / Dave Wondolowski (Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council)

Communications Workers of America District 4 Director Frank Mathews was the first featured guest today on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast. He spoke about voting rights, reducing access to polling stations hurting workers, fixing the rules of the filibuster, call center bills, the PRO Act and Amazon’s anti-union actions.

Also featured on the AWF Union Podcast today was Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary Dave Wondolowski. He spoke about Biden’s infrastructure plan and how it will create millions of jobs, repairing Ohio’s infrastructure, vaccine distribution and the hopes to reopen Ohio’s economy soon.