America’s Work Force Union Podcast

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.

Tom Buffenbarger (Former IAM GP) / Sue McConnell (BBB Cleveland)

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Former General President Tom Buffenbarger was the first featured guest on America’s Work Force Union Podcast. He addressed jobs disappearing, President Trump’s blatant disregard for health and safety during the pandemic and union members voting in the upcoming election.

Later on, Cleveland Better Business Bureau President Sue McConnell spoke about some scams to be on the lookout for. She spoke about online scams and how they have been listed as the riskiest scam for consumers three years in a row, Amazon spoofing scams and rogue mover scams. 

James Roosevelt Jr. (National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare) / Larry Willis (TTD, AFL-CIO)

We were honored to have James Roosevelt Jr., grandson of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the Vice-Chair of the Advisory Board for the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare on AWF Union Podcast. Roosevelt spoke about his grandfather’s legacy, how the Trump administration was way more conservative than expected and the history of social security and the fight to protect it.

Our second featured guest today was Transportation Trades Department President Larry Willis. Willis discussed keeping transport workers safe while working on the frontlines during the pandemic and how a Biden presidency will benefit transport workers. 

John Russo (Working-Class Perspectives) / Amber Miller (USW)

Working-Class Perspectives Co-Editor John Russo was the first featured guest on today’s edition of America’s Work Force Union Podcast. Russo spoke about the importance of Ohio in the upcoming election, if union members will vote for President Trump again and the value of home health care workers and passing legislation to protect them.

Also featured on the podcast today was the United Steelworkers Director of Rapid Response Amber Miller. She spoke about the USW’s Rapid Response program and how it empowers their members to use their collective voice to engage in legislative issues impacting their workplace and issues the program focuses on in terms of legislative efforts on behalf of their members.

Bill Samuel (AFL-CIO) / Sean Egan (Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity)

AFL-CIO Director of Government Affairs Bill Samuel joined Ed “Flash” Ferenc on AWF Union Podcast today to discuss the current political climate in Washington leading up to the election, how President Trump is deregulating standards for workers and what is expected to happen after the election. 

Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Deputy Director Sean Egan was our second featured guest on the podcast today. Egan spoke about emergency rules issued by MIOSHA and Michigan Workers' Compensation Agency protecting frontline workers.

Arnold Scott (AFGE ) / Tom Maloney (IBEW Local 96)

American Federation of Government Employees District 6 National Vice President Arnold Scott joined Ed “Flash” Ferenc on today’s edition of AWF Union Podcast to discuss how the Trump administration had drastically affected AFGE employees.

The second guest on the podcast today was a newcomer to the show. IBEW Local 96 Business Manager Tom Maloney spoke about the current state of work for Local 96 members, how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the local at the start of the pandemic, working on a minor league baseball stadium project and the IBEW Code of Excellence.

Melissa Cropper (OFT-AFT) / Jason Walsh (BlueGreen Alliance)

American Federation of Teachers Vice President Melissa Cropper was the first featured guest on America’s Work Force Union Podcast today. With election season in full swing, Cropper covered topics such as state school board elections in Ohio, the incumbents up for reelection in the Ohio Supreme Court, the Presidential election and a bus tour through Ohio. 

The second guest was BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director Jason Walsh who covered a wide range of topics. He offered some background about the organization, organizing the wind and solar industries, fundamental labor law reform, President Trump’s broken promises to the coal mining industry and how a second term for President Trump may cause a major crisis for workers and worker rights.

Wendy Patton (Policy Matters Ohio) / Paul Skoutelas (American Public Transportation Association) / Jeff Soth (IUOE)

As the pandemic continues to ravage economies across the United States, Americans have been left with a decreased quality of public services. Policy Matters Ohio Senior Project Director Wendy Patton joined AWF Union Podcast and spoke to this today and how her organization designed a proposal to increase revenue in Ohio. 

The second featured guest on the show today is American Public Transportation Association President and CEO Paul Skoutelas. He spoke about long term infrastructure bills, extending the FAST Act and the health and safety commitments made by his organization.

The International Union of Operating Engineers Legislative and Political Director Jeff Soth wrapped up today’s episode. He discussed the failure to reach a legislative agreement on surface transportation program extension, the current state of employment for operating engineers and other laborers and the economic outlook for the Highway Trust Fund and employment.

Jeff Stoffer (American Legion) / Doreen Cannon (Plumbers Local 55) / Rich Fiesta (Alliance for Retired Americans)

The first guest on AWF Union Podcast today was American Legion Media and Communications Director Jeff Stoffer. He spoke about the November edition of the American Legion Magazine, highlighting stories about Harvey Pratt and how Native Americans continue to make contributions to our society while also defending it.

Plumbers Local 55 President Doreen Cannon was the second featured guest on the podcast today. She discussed the Cleveland Tradeswomen Committee, the Tradeswomen Build Nations virtual conference and how the trades are a viable career option for women.

Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Director Rich Fiesta was the final guest on the show today. He spoke about issues surrounding mail in voting and absentee ballots and the cost of living for senior citizens.

 

John Nichols (The Nation Magazine) / Tom Kriger, PhD. (NABTU) / Eric Gordon (Cleveland Metropolitan School District)

The Nation Magazine National Affairs Correspondent John Nichols joined AWF Union Podcast host Ed “Flash” Ferenc on today’s show to discuss SCOTUS term limits and the Senate confirmation hearings of Judge Amy Coney Barrett. 

The second featured guest on the podcast was Tom Kriger, PhD, Director of Research at NABTU. Dr. Kriger spoke about apprenticeship readiness programs, getting more women involved in the trades and the NABTU Tradeswomen Build Nations conference.

Our final guest today was Cleveland Metropolitan School District CEO and Superintendent Eric Gordon. He spoke about the desperate need for another stimulus package in order to allow schools to operate safely and efficiently.