America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Darryll Bell (American Federation of Government Employees Local 31) / Terri Gerstein (Harvard Labor and Worklife Program, Economic Policy Institute)

Today on the AWF Union Podcast, American Federation of Government Employees Local 31 President Darryll Bell spoke about strengthening labor law and collective bargaining rights and the understaffed VA hiring more people with the pandemic seemingly slowing down.

Also featured on today’s episode was Terri Gerstein. She is the Labor and Worklife Program Director of the State and Local Enforcement Project at Harvard and a Senior Fellow at the Economic Policy Institute. She discussed how law enforcement will be prosecuting employers that commit wage theft and worker misclassification. 

Rick Harnish (High Speed Rail Alliance) / Steve Rosenfeld (Independent Media Institute) / Joyce Goldstein (Joyce Goldstein & Associates)

High Speed Rail Alliance Executive Director Rick Harnish was the first of three guests featured on AWF Union Podcast. Harnish spoke about what needs to be done in order for the United States to get their own high speed rail system. He said 20 percent new tracks and 80 percent updating current tracks to increase freight speeds and get freight off of the highways and back to trains. 

Steve Rosenfeld with the Independent Media Institute spoke about legislation introduced by Republicans that would make obtaining a ballot and having it be delivered on time much more difficult. Rosenfeld also talked about H.R. 1.

Joyce Goldstein with Joyce Goldstein & Associates wrapped up today's show by talking about the differences between an independent contractor and an employee and how these definitions are vital in determining if a worker is eligible for benefits.

 

Tom Bigley (United Association) / Desiree Hoffman (United Auto Workers) / Senator Sherrod Brown

Happy World Plumbing Day! To celebrate, the AWF Union Podcast featured the United Association Director of Plumbing Tom Bigely, today. He talked about what World Plumbing Day was all about, how the UA was able to continue work despite the pandemic, growing their membership with massive organizing efforts and Plumbers 911.

United Auto Workers Legislative Representative Desiree Hoffman was the second speaker on the show today. She discussed the recently passed American Rescue Plan, the passage of the PRO Act in the House and the uphill battle they will face passing it in the Senate. 

United States Senator Sherrod Brown closed up the show, addressing the American Rescue Plan, multiemployer pension protection plans, collective bargaining and the need for labor law reform.

Scott Paul (Alliance for American Manufacturing) / Glenn Kelly (BAC Local 8 Southeast)

Our first guest to join today’s edition of the AWF Union Podcast was Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul. He discussed the U.S. kickstarting the economy again, supply chain issues, incentivizing keeping jobs onshore and how the passage of a new infrastructure bill will revitalize work and local economies.

Our second guest that was featured today was Glenn Kelly, President of International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 8 Southeast. He talked about their membership, the difficulties of keeping their member numbers up in So-Called “Right to Work” states in their jurisdiction, passing the PRO Act and promoting their union to attract more members.

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

Communications Workers of America District 4 Director Frank Mathews joined the AWF Union Podcast this afternoon to talk about the issues of gerrymandering and how the For the People Act fights back against it. He also explained what it means for labor to have a labor-friendly NLRB, and the need to pass the PRO Act.

Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary Dave Wondolowski was also featured on the podcast today. He spoke about pension relief plans, wage theft and the strict prevailing wage laws that need to be put in place to combat it. He also provided a northeast Ohio work outlook.

Ed Mortimer (Americans for Transportation Mobility) / Tony Liberatore Jr. (Laborers Local 860)

The Americans for Transportation Mobility Coalition’s Executive Director, Ed Mortimer, was the first featured guest on today’s edition of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast. He discussed how it has been a long, difficult journey to get people to focus on infrastructure at the national level, how a divided Congress needs to work together to pass a new infrastructure bill and the funding for infrastructure improvements.

Our second guest speaker on the show today was Laborers Local 860 Business Manager and Secretary-Treasurer, Tony Liberatore Jr. He spoke about the current state of the nation’s infrastructure, distracted driving and driving more carefully with summer construction coming up.

Tim Ryan (Ohio 13th District) / Dorsey Hager (Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council)

U.S. Representative Tim Ryan joined the AWF Union Podcast to discuss the work going on in Lordstown, Ohio, the competition in the electrical vehicle market, the Postal Service contract and how the National Apprenticeship Act will benefit middle class workers.

Also featured on the podcast today was Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council. He discussed labor leaders meeting with President Biden, how so-called “Right to Work” has been devastating to the building trades, investing in the Columbus Innovation District and job readiness training certification. 

Brian Herberth (Kelley & Ferraro) / Sue McConnell (Cleveland Better Business Bureau)

Our first featured guest on AWF Union Podcast today was Kelley & Ferraro Attorney Brian Herberth. He discussed a person’s rights in a personal injury claim, what to do in case of an automobile accident and gathering and preserving your evidence to file an insurance claim on the accident. 

Also featured on the podcast today was Cleveland Better Business Bureau President Sue McConnell. She analyzed the BBB scam tracker and informed listeners about online scams, unemployment fraud and social security imposter scams.

Tim Drea (Illinois AFL-CIO) / Tim Carter (SMART Northwest Regional Council)

The first guest on today’s edition of America’s Work Force Union Podcast was Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea. He spoke about what Clean Jobs Illinois is all about, how clean energy jobs in Illinois could create upwards of 30,000 jobs in the next 25 to 30 years, attracting younger people to the trades and issues in the gig economy.

SMART Northwest Regional Council President Tim Carter was also featured on the podcast today. Carter talked about the SMART Local 66 organizing drive at Headless Mumby Brewery in Washington, crafting a beer dedicated to Local 66 and how the pandemic affected the means of distribution for craft beer companies.

Tim Burga (Ohio AFL-CIO) / Frank Manzo (Illinois Economic Policy Institute)

Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga was our first guest on today’s show. Burga spoke about the need to stop the outsourcing of LED lightbulb manufacturing, OSHA implementing emergency temporary standards, the Biden administration’s legislative agenda and the need for major public investment in our infrastructure.

Illinois Economic Policy Institute Policy Director Frank Manzo rejoined the AWF Union Podcast today to discuss his newly released studies. Manzo’s studies dive into so-called “Right to Work” and how workers in states with a so-called “Right to Work” earn less, and the cost of wage theft and payroll fraud.