America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Pete Ielmini (Mechanical Insulators LMCT) /Sharon Johnson (The Progressive)

Executive Director of the Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Trades Labor Management Cooperative Trust, Pete Ielmini, spoke with America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on June 24 about the importance of firestopping, smoke sealing and infectious disease containment. He explained how each of these techniques could buildings, and the people inside of them during a fire emergency.

Sharon Johnson, a writer for The Progressive spoke about her latest article, “On the Front Lines" about healthcare centers providing healthcare to under privileged communities and working during the pandemic.  

John Reiss (Cuyahoga County Veteran Services Commission) / Tom Buffenbarger (Former IAM)

Executive Director of the Cuyahoga County Veterans Service Commission, Jon Reiss spoke with America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on June 23 about the organization's veteran assistance programs with VA medical claims and other financial assistance.

Former General President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and an independent labor voice, Tom Buffenbarger spoke about the importance of workers knowing the power of striking and if people want change, they need to participate in the upcoming election.

Larry Willis (TTD - AFL-CIO) / Mike Dolan (Coalition for a Prosperous America)

Larry Willis, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, spoke with America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on June 22 about the importance of the United States investing in its infrastructure. During his interview, he says that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee recently marked up the INVEST Act, a surface transportation reauthorization bill that invests in a 21st-century transportation network.

Mike Dolan of the Coalition for a Prosperous America and Trade Policy Specialist with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters discussed why keeping manufacturing jobs in the United States is crucial. He speaks about inshoring jobs and buying domestically made products.

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

Director of Media and Communications with the American Legion, Jeff Stoffer spoke with America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on June 19 about the American Legion COVID-19 survey, a World War II soldier’s post-traumatic stress disorder portrayed in his artwork and a paralyzed bobsledder.

Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA), Rich Fiesta spoke about the Alliance’s vote by mail lawsuits working through the state courts. He said the ARA filed lawsuits to protect vote by mail and absentee voting.

John Nichols (The Nation Magazine) / Davida Russell (NCALF)

Author and correspondent with The Nation, John Nichols spoke with America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on June 18 about his new book, “The Fight for the Soul of the Democratic Party: The Enduring Legacy of Henry Wallace's Anti-Fascist, Anti-Racist Politics” and fighting to make a difference in a political party.

Davida Russell, Secretary-Treasurer of the North Coast Area Labor Federation, Vice President of the Ohio AFL-CIO and Cleveland Heights City Council member spoke about igniting America and fighting for a change, the AFL-CIO workers first caravan and voter suppression.

Joyce Goldstein (Goldstein Gragel LLC) / Darryll Bell (AFGE Local 31)

Joyce Goldstein, a labor lawyer with Goldstein Gragel, LLC spoke with America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on June 17 about attacks on police unions and reforming police background checks.

Darryll Bell, President of the American Federation of Government Employees, Local 31 spoke about various issues at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Ohio Senator Nickie Antonio / Melissa Cropper (OFT-AFT)

Ohio Senator Nickie Antonio spoke with America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on June 16 about election reform legislation.

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers spoke about racism and how it should be treated as a public health issue, new health parameters to open up schools, and the Ohio budget shortfall for schools.

Rep. Tom Patton (Ohio House Representative) / Andrew Tinkham (OCC)

Ohio House Rep. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) spoke with America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on June 15 about legislation in the Ohio House that aims to protect individuals, healthcare workers and businesses as they reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Andrew Tinkham, Senior Outreach and Education Program Specialist at the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel spoke about protecting utility consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Show Replay: Will Attig (Union Veterans Council) / Don Marcus (International Organization of Masters, Mates, and Pilots)

The first featured guest today on America's Work Force Radio Podcast was Will Attig, Executive Director of the Union Veterans Council of the AFL-CIO. He spoke about how a job in the trades helps veterans achieve the dream of stable employment when they transition out of the military, and how the Union Veterans Council fights for veterans.

The second featured guest was Don Marcus, International President of the International Organization of Masters, Mates, and Pilots of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO. He spoke about how the COVID-19 pandemic has been impacting their members and their industry.

 

 

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

Kalitha Williams, Senior Project Director of Policy Matters Ohio spoke with America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on June 11 about the Minority Health Strike Force and racial disparities.

Desiree Hoffman, Legislative Representative for the United Auto Workers spoke about the HEROES Act and the next relief package, UAW priorities, and an AFL-CIO workers caravan.