America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Terry O’Sullivan (LiUNA) / Lou Antonellis (IBEW Local 103) / Tommy Maloney (IBEW Local 96)

Terry O’Sullivan, General President of AWF Union Podcast presenting sponsor, LiUNA, joined the show today. He spoke about Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, the American Rescue Plan, American Jobs Plan, The Dream and Promise Acts and the passing the PRO Act. 

IBEW Local 103 Business Manager Lou Antonellis spoke about COVID-19 cases in Boston and their vaccine distribution, benefits of the American Jobs Plan, repairing Boston’s infrastructure and regional work with IBEW 96.

IBEW Local 96 Business Manager Tommy Maloney was also featured on the show today. He spoke about expanding their market share by working with IBEW Local 103, their Code of Excellence and the St. Vincent nurses strike.

Amanda Jaret (UFCW) / Steve Melink (Melink Corporation) / Matt Rothschild (Wisconsin Democracy Campaign)

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Assistant General Counsel Amanda Jaret was the first of three guests on today’s edition of the AWF Union Podcast. Jaret spoke about the union efforts at Amazon in Alabama, Amazon’s exit bonuses to workers who quit during the time of voting for unions and organizing workers at a Tesla factory.

Melink Corporation CEO Steve Melink was also featured on AWF Union Podcast today. He discussed his company's energy efficiency plans, President Biden’s infrastructure plans and clean coal and carbon capture projects.

The final guest on today’s show was Steve Rothschild of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. He spoke about a state superintendent election, campaign finance reform and why the state of Wisconsin went for President Biden.

Josh Nassar (United Auto Workers) / Amanda Woodrum (Policy Matters Ohio)

United Auto Workers Legislative Director Josh Nassar joined the AWF Union Podcast today to talk about the American Rescue Plan acting as a safety net for Americans who lost their jobs during the pandemic, the American Jobs Act and the PRO Act National Day of Action.

Also featured on today’s edition of the show was Policy Matters Ohio Senior Researcher Amanda Woodrum. She spoke about the Reimagine Appalachia project, the issues coal workers are facing, building paths into the union workforce for people of color and expanding the electrical grid.

Michael Stumo (Coalition for a Prosperous America) / Dave Megenhardt (United Labor Agency)

The Coalition for a Prosperous America CEO Michael Stumo was the first featured guest on the AWF Union Podcast today. He discussed the history of their organization, regulating trade with China, the poor conditions Chinese workers are facing, President Biden’s infrastructure plan and what needs to be fixed for them to fully support it.

United Labor Agency Executive Director Dave Megenhardt spoke about retraining workers post-pandemic, restructuring labor law and helping Americans find jobs.

Leonard Aguilar (Texas AFL-CIO) / Tim Burga (Ohio AFL-CIO)

Texas AFL-CIO newly appointed Secretary-Treasurer Leonard Aguilar joined the AWF Union Podcast today. He discussed Texas jobs and their renewable energy efforts, allocating the proper resources to renewable energy jobs, pre-apprenticeship programs and ensuring all workers are met with dignity and respect on their jobs.

Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga was also featured on the podcast today. Burga spoke about the benefits of the American Rescue Plan, How America will rebuild in the post-pandemic era and the PRO Act.

Jason George (International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49) / Laura Penn (Stage Directors and Choreographers Society)

America’s Work Force Union Podcast welcomed International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 Business Manager/Financial Secretary Jason George to the show. He discussed his introduction to the labor movement, how the members of Local 49 adapted to the pandemic and how labor will be affected by the switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

The stage industry has been devastated by the pandemic, but is getting back on their feet. Stage Directors and Choreographers Society Executive Director Laura Penn provided an update on the state of the stage industry and the various ways it has changed since one year ago.

Dorsey Hager (Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council) / Yanira Merino (Labor Council for Latin American Advancement)

Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dorsey Hager rejoined the AWF Union Podcast today. Hager spoke about the benefits of investing in infrastructure, new projects in the Columbus, Ohio area, why more and more women are finding careers in the building trades and the success of their Building Futures and Driving Futures programs.

Our second featured guest on the podcast today was Yanira Merino, President of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. She spoke about her history with the organization, their goals for educating, organizing and mobilizing Latino workers and additional efforts to protect workers.

Ed Kelley (Kelley & Ferraro) / Mike Walden (International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Retired)

Kelley & Ferraro Attorney Ed Kelley was the first featured guest on the AWF Union Podcast today. He spoke about the lawsuit against 3M on ear protection they sold to the military and the faultiness caused thousands of tinnitus cases and hearing loss in veterans. He also discussed the ongoing asbestos litigation case with people suffering from mesothelioma.

Retired member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Mike Walden was our second featured guest on the podcast today. He discussed pensions being cut and committees being formed to push back and protect pensions and how the Butch-Lewis Act will strengthen protections for the hard earned pensions.

Shawna Bader-Blau (The Solidarity Center) / Samira Brooks (SEIU VA 512)

The Solidarity Center Executive Director Shawna Bader-Blau was the first guest today on the AWF Union Podcast. She spoke about the history of their organization and their funding, their mission to help workers obtain safe and healthy workplaces and keeping collective power across borders for all workers.

Also featured on the podcast today was Samira Brooks, a homecare worker with SEIU VA 512. She spoke with AWF Union Podcast host Ed “Flash” Ferenc about her responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, national day of action for homecare and healthcare workers and the constant fight for workers to get what they deserve.

James Burrows (Montana AFL-CIO) / Kristine Grow (Coalition for Medicare Choices)

Montana AFL-CIO Communications Director James Burrows was the first guest on today’s show. He spoke about worker mobilization efforts over the last six months, pushing labor issues to the forefront, the history of so-called “Right to Work” in Montana and the long history of attacks on workers rights to collectively bargain.

Kristine Grow of the Coalition for Medicare Choices also joined the AWF Union Podcast today. She discussed Medicare Advantage and why it is so popular, how Medicare Advantage supported seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what legislation could affect Medicare Advantage.