America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Frank Matthews (CWA) / Dave Porter (Helmets to Hardhats)

Communications Workers of America District 4 Administrative Director Frank Mathews joined today’s edition of America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the National Labor Relations Board having members with a union busting history, President-elect Biden’s infrastructure plan and worker friendly legislation, protecting the vote and penalizing companies for offshoring jobs.

Helmets to Hardhats Executive Director Dave Porter was today’s second featured guest. He offered some history about the Helmets to Hardhats organization, how the program helps connect transitioning military members to opportunities in the 15 construction trades, how they connect with military members and the value of registered apprenticeships. 

Mike Hazard (UA VIP) / Mike Harris (SMART Heroes - Sheet Metal ITI)

The first guest on America’s Work Force Union Podcast was United Association Veterans in Piping Program Administrator Mike Hazard. He spoke about his history with the UA VIP Program, how registered apprenticeship programs stand out compared to other programs and how the UA VIP Program prepares transitioning military members for apprenticeships.

International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers ITI SMART Heroes Program Administrator Mike Harris was the second featured guest on today’s show. He spoke with host Ed “Flash” Ferenc about the SMART Heroes program, how it started, why they chose their original location, how the program prepares service members for an apprenticeship and more.

Dorsey Hager (Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council) / Mike Knisley (Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council) / Ryan Delgado (New York State AFL-CIO)

Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dorsey Hager joined AWF Union Podcast to discuss organizing initiatives and career building programs in central Ohio. He also discussed local elections and how they will affect the building trades.

Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council Secretary-Treasurer Mike Knisley explained how the building trades have fared in Ohio during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also explained what Trump could have done better for the trades and what he expects if Joe Biden is elected president.

Lastly, New York State AFL-CIO Chief of Staff Ryan Delgado talked about what is needed for workers in terms of pandemic safety, how to crawl out of the deficit created by the pandemic and the need to organize more frontline workers.

Dayna DePerro (Kelley and Ferraro Partner) / Congressman Donald Norcross (New Jersey 1st District) / Senator Sherrod Brown (Ohio)

America’s Work Force Union Podcast welcomed Kelley and Ferraro Partner Dayna DePerro back to the show to speak about what happens to assets after a person passes away. She spoke about the various processes of probate and estate planning.

United States Representative Donald Norcross appeared on today's episode. The IBEW member spoke about recruiting union members to run for public office, what a Biden administration would look like for labor and how the Trump administration has left workers behind.

Finally, United States Senator Sherrod Brown discussed the state of the current presidential election, misclassification of workers, raising the minimum wage and how a Biden administration will combat the suffering faced by workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Barry Davies (Ironworkers 512) / David Rutledge (Southeast Laborers' District Council/LIUNA Local 386)

Ironworkers local 512 Business Manager Barry Davies was the first guest on today’s installment of AWF Union Podcast. Davies spoke about Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz signing into law a $1.8 billion package of infrastructure investments, creating thousands of jobs for union tradespeople.

Our second guest, Laborers Local 386 Assistant Business Manager David Rutledge discussed Vanderbilt University laborers organizing a $100 million recruitment initiative during the pandemic.

Tim Burga (OH AFL-CIO) / Kelly Dickey (National Postal Mail Handlers Union)

Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga joined AWF Union Podcast on Election Day 2020 to speak about the election, potential changes in the U.S. Senate and the importance of some Ohio races.

National Postal Mail Handlers Union Local 322 President Kelly Dickey was the second featured guest on the podcast today. She discussed how the USPS is made up of four unions and how they each work, the sanctity of mail-in ballots and financial problems at the USPS.

Lou Antonellis (IBEW 103) / Monique Morrissey (Economic Policy Institute)

The first featured guest on today’s edition of America’s Work Force Union Podcast was IBEW Local 103 Business Manager Lou Antonellis. He spoke about the upcoming election, IBEW 103 members working in the swing state of New Hampshire, changes made to construction site safety due to COVID-19, projects that were backlogged due to the pandemic and what a Biden administration would look like for the labor movement. 

Economic Policy Institute Economist Monique Morrissey was the second guest on today’s show. She spoke with host Ed “Flash” Ferenc about public sector collective bargaining in Missouri, the younger generation being the most favorable of unions and annual recertification.

Frank Manzo (Illinois Economic Policy Institute) / Lucas Franco (LiUNA MN & ND)

Illinois Economic Policy Institute Policy Director Frank Manzo, IV, was the first of two featured guests today on AWF Union Podcast. Manzo spoke about the need to transition people from nonrenewable energy jobs to clean energy jobs, how climate is impacting infrastructure and investing in clean energy.

LIUNA MN & ND Regional Research Manager Lucas Franco was the second guest on the show today. He discussed clean energy jobs in the upper midwest, political backlash to clean energy jobs and good paying prevailing wage jobs for local workers. 

Jimmy Williams, Jr. (IUPAT) / Greg Kozera (Shale Crescent USA)

IUPAT General VP at Large Jimmy Williams, Jr. was the first guest on today’s installment of AWF Union Podcast. He spoke with host Ed “Flash” Ferenc about encouraging their membership to vote, and how IUPAT members preserve the life cycle of infrastructure.

Greg Kozera, Director of Marketing at Shale Crescent USA was our second guest speaker on the show today. He addressed the U.S. competing with China on manufacturing, keeping jobs in the U.S. and helping young people understand there are good quality apprenticeships that will lead them to a viable career.

Pete Ielmini (Mechanical Insulators LMCT) / Sam Loesche (Teamsters)

Mechanical Insulators LMCT Executive Director Pete Ielmini rejoined America’s Work Force Union Podcast today to discuss getting out the vote, issues with receiving information or misinformation about candidates, holding politicians accountable and extensions on voting.

Our second featured guest was Sam Loesche, Legislative Representative for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. He spoke about the efforts by the Trump administration to deregulate the trucking industry, including drive time regulations, independent contracting and how Joe Biden can roll back these deregulatory actions.