America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Sharon Johnson (The Progressive) / Tom Buffenbarger (Independent labor voice)

Former General President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Tom Buffenbarger, was one of two featured guests on the podcast today. Buffenbarger, also known as the independent labor voice for the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, discussed the selections for the Biden cabinet, the approval of a second stimulus package and IAM organizing wins.

Sharon Johnson, contributing writer for The Progressive was also featured on the podcast today. She discussed women in the trades, how unions help women receive fair pay and the benefits they deserve and healthcare unions during the pandemic.

Andrew Cortés (Building Futures Rhode Island) / Mellissa Chang (Good Jobs First)

Andrew Cortés, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Building Futures program was a featured guest today on AWF Union Podcast. Cortés discussed the Rhode Island Building Futures Program, recruiting women into the construction trades and how an apprenticeship is a viable option to lead to a quality, well paying career. 

Also featured on the podcast today was Mellissa Chang, a research analyst with Good Jobs First. She discussed the Payroll Protection Program, what another stimulus package may include and how it would help businesses and individuals.

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

Today on the AWF Union Podcast, Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications for the American Legion previewed the January edition of their publication. Some of the featured stories include the 30 year anniversary of Desert Storm, health records for service members and veterans and legislation to require federally purchased items to be manufactured domestically.

Alliance for the Retired Americans Executive Director Rich Fiesta was also featured on today’s show. He discussed the record high deaths in nursing homes, vaccination priorities and the Trump administration removing regulations on Social Security benefits.

Nathan Newman (The Nation Magazine) / Pat Gallagher (NCALF/USW)

Nathan Newman, contributing writer to The Nation Magazine was a featured guest on today’s edition of AWF Union Podcast. He discussed a couple of SCOTUS rulings dealing with California property rights and allowing organizers to speak to workers on farms.

North Coast Area Labor Federation of the AFL-CIO President Pat Gallagher was also featured today on America’s Work Force Union Podcast. He spoke about the United States’ economic competition with China, investment in U.S. infrastructure and purchasing American made products.

Felicia Sharp (AFGE Local 1410) / Tony Liberatore, Jr. (Laborers 860)

Today on the podcast, AFGE Local 1410 President Felicia Sharp spoke about 2021 legislative priorities for DOD members, the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccination.

Tony Liberatore, Jr., Laborers Local 860 Business Manager was also featured on today’s edition of the AWF Union Podcast. He discussed Laborers 860 members and their collective bargaining agreement with a juvenile court, issues the union is facing in the workplace and more.

Melissa Cropper (Ohio Federation of Teachers) / Andrew Spar (Florida Education Association)

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers was one of our featured guests today on AWF Union Podcast. She spoke about Ohio Senate Bill 17, fair funding for schools in Ohio, how vouchers have taken money out of Ohio school systems and COVID-19 vaccines for teachers.

Andrew Spar, President of the Florida Education Association also joined the podcast today. He discussed funding in Florida schools, the state diverting money to private schools and not helping the underfunded public schools and how Florida teachers have been attempting to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Paul Hartshorn, Jr. (Association of Professional Flight Attendants) / Andrew Tinkham (Ohio Consumers Counsel)

Paul Hartshorn, Jr., National Communications Chair of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants representing the flight attendants of American Airlines was featured today on AWF Union Podcast. Hartshorn discussed the payroll protection program and how it helped flight attendants keep their income and jobs, how the industry responded to the pandemic over the last few months and new restrictions on service animals allowed on aircrafts.

Also featured on the show was Andrew Tinkham with the Office of the Ohio Consumers Counsel. He mentioned updates on the Ohio House Bill 6, energy efficiency with holiday lighting and the winter reconnect program.

Joyce Goldstein (Joyce Goldstein & Associates) / Jim Cullen (Progressive Populist)

Joyce Goldstein, labor lawyer with Joyce Goldstein Law was one of the featured guests today on the AWF Union Podcast. She explained whether or not workers can be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine in order to continue working at their workplace and their rights surrounding compelled vaccination.

Also featured today on the podcast was Progressive Populist Editor Jim Cullen. He discussed certified election results, the cabinet members selected by the Biden-Harris administration and the hurdles they may face in confirmation.

Desiree Hoffman (UAW) / Kalitha Williams (Policy Matters Ohio)

On today’s episode of AWF Union Podcast, Policy Matters Ohio Project Director of Asset Building Kalitha Williams explained to listeners how payday lending and other short term loans are predatory. She discussed why they are so predatory and how the Ohio legislature has attempted multiple times to reform payday lending but hasn’t made any significant progress.

Desiree Hoffman, Legislative Representative with the United Auto Workers was also featured today on the podcast. Hoffman discussed updates on the state of COVID-19 relief legislation, and vaccination updates with FDA authorizations and the distribution of the vaccine.

 

Patrick Grubbs (Professor of History, Northampton Community College) / James Santelli (KDKA-TV Producers Union)

Patrick Grubbs, Professor of History at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pa. joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast today to discuss the history of the Cordwainers Union. He spoke about the cordwainers strike of 1805, what caused it and what came out of it.

KDKA-TV Producer James Santelli was also featured on today’s episode. Santelli discussed the organizing process that KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh went through, their representation by SAG-AFTRA and how their situation was different from other unions, what producers do behind the scenes and more.