America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Tom Conway (USW)

International President of the United Steelworkers Tom Conway spoke with America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on July 24 about the current state of work in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shane Smith (IUPAT) / Bill Samuel (AFL-CIO)

Shane Smith of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades spoke with America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on July 23 about a 16-year old who fell to his death while working on a construction site in Nashville. 

 

Bill Samuel of the AFL-CIO talked about the push to get the HEROES Act passed.

Pete Ielmini (Mechanical Insulators LMCT) / Lamont Byrd (International Brotherhood of Teamsters)

Pete Ielmini of the Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, Pete Ielmini joined America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on July 22 to discuss apprenticeships and the trades as a viable career option.

 

Lamont Byrd of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Safety and Health Department discussed essential workers and proper personal protective equipment. 

Melissa Cropper (OFT-AFT) / Ed Mortimer (Americans for Transportation Mobility)

President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, Melissa Cropper spoke about the threat of the federal government cutting funding to schools if they do not reopen in the fall.

 

Ed Mortimer of the Americans for Transportation Mobility (ATM) coalition spoke with about the investment in domestic infrastructure. He said their coalition encourages elected leaders to invest money to repair old infrastructure as well as bring infrastructure systems into the 21st century.

 

Scott Paul (Alliance for American Manufacturing) / Mike Polensek (Cleveland City Council)

On the July 20 episode of America’s Work Force Radio Podcast, Scott Paul with the Alliance for American Manufacturing discussed purchasing American made products. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused construction work to slow down or be stopped altogether. Paul said we need to rebuild America by reauthorizing our infrastructure programs to repair and maintain bridges, highways and waterways across America.

 

Cleveland’s longest-serving Councilman, Mike Polensek, talked about keeping jobs in the United States. With the pandemic negatively impacting the U.S. economy, Polensek stressed that when the economy fully reopens we need to keep jobs onshore. 

 

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

Jeff Stoffer of the American Legion spoke with America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on July 17 about the August issue of the American Legion magazine. Stoffer first previewed a story about the California Department of Veteran Affairs (CalVet) preparing for the COVID-19 pandemic. The second story he spoke about deals with the United States Military dedicating a branch to space.

Rich Fiesta of the Alliance for Retired Americans spoke about vote by mail lawsuits in Maine. He explained how voter suppression with mail-in votes is occurring and there is legislation to push back against it. 

Jeet Heer (The Nation Magazine) / Jose Arroyo (USW)

Jeet Heer of the Nation Magazine spoke with America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on July 16 about his most recent articles. The first article Heer spoke about addresses Presidential Emergency Action Documents (PEADs). Heer then discussed his article “The Left Needs to Reclaim Free Speech.” He spoke about examples for the political left to strengthen their free speech rights and push back against Republicans. 

Jose Arroyo of the United Steelworkers (USW) spoke about challenges the organization has faced during the pandemic and the upcoming election and some of the issues resonating with voters.

Arnold Scott (AFGE D6) / Josh Hodges (National Council on Aging)

Arnold Scott, National Vice President of the American Federation of Government Employees District 6 spoke with America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on July 15 about the AFGE roadmap for successful government operation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Josh Hodges of the National Council on Aging (NCOA) spoke about programs the council offers to help older Americans with finances, navigating the web and eligible benefits.

Frank Mathews (CWA D4) / Dave Wondolowski (Cle BCTC)

District 4 Administrative Director of the Communication Workers of America, Frank Mathews spoke with America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on July 14 about the HEROES Act. He said that the bill has passed through the House and sits on Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell’s desk.

Dave Wondolowski of the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council (CBCTC) spoke about the impact COVID-19 has had on public health and the economy. He said that members of CBCTC affiliated unions have been showing up to work fully equipped with personal protective equipment. Also, the jobsites these tradesmen and tradeswomen work on are equipped with handwashing stations and enforced social distancing practices.

Terry O'Sullivan (LiUNA) / David Porter (Helmets to Hardhats) / Andrew Tinkham (OCC)

General President of The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA), Terry O’Sullivan, spoke with America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on July 13 to discuss pipeline and infrastructure issues in the United States. He also spoke about the INVEST in America Act and the Supreme Court Ruling on DACA.

Executive Director of Helmets to Hardhats, David Porter spoke about their organization and connecting transitioning active-duty military members, veterans, National Guard and Reservists with jobs in the construction industry.

Senior Outreach and Education Program Specialist with the Office of Ohio Consumers Counsel, Andrew Tinkham, spoke about House Bill 246 and how the bill effectively weakens the OCC’s ability to advocate for Ohio’s utility users.