America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Liz Shuler (AFL-CIO) / Dave Wondolowski (Cleveland BCTC)

Our first guest on America’s Work Force Union Podcast today AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler. She discussed her history in organizing clerical workers and working her way up the ladder in the IBEW, how she became the highest ranking woman in labor federation history and finally the NABTU Tradeswomen Build Nations virtual conference.

The second guest to speak with host Ed “Flash” Ferenc today was Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary Dave Wondolowski. Wondolowski spoke about construction projects that will take place in Cleveland, Ohio in 2021, the hundreds of jobs they will create for construction workers and women in the building trades.

Frank Mathews (CWA) / Vicki O’Leary (IW) / Wayne Creasap (IW)

Communications Workers of America District 4 Administrative Director Frank Mathews was the first of three featured guests on today’s podcast. He spoke about tax breaks and job cuts surrounding AT&T, the stock market being propped up by stock buybacks and how the CWA is encouraging members to vote. 

International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers General Organizer for Diversity Vicki O’Leary was our second guest today on AWF Union Podcast. She spoke about her history in the trades, the upcoming Tradeswomen Build Nations conference and empowering women to join the trades.

Our third and final guest speaker on the show today was Wayne Creasap, also with the Ironworkers International. He touched on topics involving workers safety on jobsites during the pandemic. 

Gina Walsh (Mechanical Insulators LMCT) / Andrew Tinkham (Ohio Consumers’ Counsel) / Steve Rosenfeld (Voting Booth, Independent Media Institute)

Deputy Director of the Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Trades Labor Management Cooperative Trust Gina Walsh returned to the podcast to speak about the upcoming virtual Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference. She also spoke about her background in the trades, how she worked her way up the ranks to the position she is in today and getting more women involved in the trades.

Andrew Tinkham with the Ohio Consumers Counsel spoke on the podcast today about controversy surrounding Ohio House Bill 6, reviving Ohio House Bill 738 and other energy related issues.

The final guest on this episode of AWF Union Podcast was Voting Booth Chief Correspondent and Senior Writing Fellow Steve Rosenfeld with the Independent Media Institute. Rosenfeld  discussed the upcoming election, voting rights and how technology is changing the politics and the party system.

Jon Wentz (Barkan Meizlish, LLP) / Jim Cullen (Progressive Populist) / Joyce Goldstein (Goldstein Gragel, LLC)

Wage theft remains a national problem. However, Columbus, Ohio has established an ordinance to curb wage theft. Labor lawyer Jon Wentz discussed the new ordinance and how it will help the city of Columbus on AWF Union Podcast.

Later in today’s episode, Progressive Populist Editor Jim Cullen spoke about the Presidential debate, the Supreme Court nomination and what to expect in the upcoming election.

Finally, labor lawyer Joyce Goldstein spoke with host Ed “Flash” Ferenc about settling disputes between workers and employers, the passing of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her impact on labor.

JC Tretter (NFLPA President) / Desiree Hoffman (United Auto Workers)

America’s Work Force Union Podcast is proud to feature NFLPA President and Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter on the podcast today. Tretter spoke about his education at Cornell University, becoming the NFLPA president, renegotiating collective bargaining agreements for player safety during the pandemic and the injury risks associated with artificial turf.

United Auto Workers International Representative Desiree Hoffman was our second featured guest today. Hoffman spoke with Ed “Flash” Ferenc about the new Supreme Court nomination made in the wake of the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the vice presidential debate and the likelihood of another COVID-19 stimulus package.

Andy Shen (Greenpeace USA) / David Megenhardt (United Labor Agency)

Greenpeace USA Senior Oceans Advisor Andy Shen made an appearance on AWF Union Podcast to discuss forced labor in the south and southeast Asian fishing industry. Shen also discussed ongoing issues with Bumble Bee Seafoods.

Later in the show, United Labor Agency Executive Director David Megenhardt discussed new online training opportunities, President Trump’s order to end negotiations on another stimulus package until after the election and the success of the ULA’s virtual job training courses.

Willie Haywood Jr. (AFGE/ NVAC 6th District) / Tim Burga (Ohio AFL-CIO)

Sixth District President of Council 262 of the American Federation of Government Employees representing the National Veterans Affairs Council Willie Haywood Jr. discussed the status of the Department of Veterans Affairs, warryness of workers to return to their place of work, the AFGE endorsement of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and more on AWF Union Podcast.

Later in the show Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga spoke to host Ed “Flash” Ferenc about the future of work, President Trump’s broken promises, mining and manufacturing jobs and voting in the upcoming election.

Scott Paul (Alliance for American Manufacturing) / Greg LeRoy (Good Jobs First)

Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul was the first featured guest on AWF Union Podcast today. Paul spoke with Ed “Flash” Ferenc, covering topics such as the jobless report, reshoring jobs to the United States, keeping up with the manufacturing demands of PPE, the Defense Production Act and domestic mineral production. 

Also featured on the Oct. 5 edition of America’s Work Force Union Podcast was Good Jobs First Executive Director Greg LeRoy. LeRoy spoke about the sins of corporate America during the COVID-19 pandemic, wage theft, OSHA violations and stimulus packages.

Sean McGarvey (NABTU) / Dorsey Hager (Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council) / Gregory T. Revard (HFIAW)

America’s Work Force Union Podcast is proud to feature North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) President Sean McGarvey on the Oct. 2 edition of the podcast. President McGarvey spoke about the state of the building trades, safety on jobsites, the fight for investment in infrastructure and the Trades Women Build Nations Conference.

Our second featured guest today was Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dorsey Hager. Hager addressed the demand for more workers in the trades, the Building Futures and Driving Futures programs and wage theft legislation in Ohio.

Finally, newly appointed General President of the Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers (HFIAW), Gregory T. Revard spoke with AWF Union Podcast host Ed “Flash” Ferenc about registered apprenticeship programs, bringing workers quality of work and safety regulations up to union standards, getting people in the trades organized, educated and trained and the upcoming Trades Women Build Nations conference.

Brian Schall (Kelley & Ferraro) / U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown

The first guest on America’s Work Force Union Podcast is Kelley and Ferraro Associate Brian Schall. He gave some background information and an update on the Zantac case. He also explained how people can access compensation for the wrongful death of a loved one due to occupational causes.

The second guest on today’s show is United States Senator Sherrod Brown. He briefly talked about the first presidential debate and then shifted to explaining how President Trump has failed the working people of Ohio. He later discussed potential COVID-19 relief plans and legislation being worked on to help gig workers and those who wish to organize.