America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Jane Billinger, Senior Advocate, AFSCME | Joyce Goldstein, Labor Attorney, Joyce Goldstein and Associates

Jane Billinger, Senior Advisor for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the work of library workers. She discussed the fight for a first contract in Missouri and shared the issues created by a recent state budget proposal that would defund libraries, in the state.

 

Joining the America’s Work Force Union Podcast is Labor Attorney and General Counsel for the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, Joyce Goldstein. She discussed the difficulties unions face once they get to the negotiating table for a first contract. Many factors can come into play that determine negotiation timetables, and Goldstein discussed some of the practices used by employers to help slow progress.

Todd Vachon of Rutgers AAUP-AFT | Dr. James Benton, Director of Race and Economic Empowerment Project, Kalmanovitz Initiative | Merri Berry, Secretary-Treasurer, Missouri AFL-CIO

 

The America’s Work Force Union Podcast welcomed Todd Vachon, Executive Council Member of the Rutgers American Association of University Professors, American Federation of Teachers, who discussed the current strike at Rutgers University. Vachon explained the events that led to the strike and the union members involved. He also shared the goals of the strike and spoke about the outpouring of public support.

 

Dr. James Benton, Director of Race and Economic Empowerment Project at the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about Labor Spring events held nationwide on college campuses. He also explained Labor Spring and why he feels it is essential to the current labor movement.

 

Missouri AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Merri Berry appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the current labor battles in Missouri. Berry told the story of how she got her start in the labor movement. She also spoke about two pieces of legislation in Missouri that would hurt worker rights and addressed how Working Women’s Lobby Day helps women in organized labor.

Johnnie Kallas, Ph.D. candidate, The ILR School at Cornell University | Henry Garrido, Executive Director, AFSCME District Council 37

Johnnie Kallas, Ph.D. candidate at the ILR School at Cornell University, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the 2022 Annual Labor Action Tracker. Kallas discussed the leading industry for number of strikes, the industry with the most workers involved in strikes and some surprising statistics from the 2022 report has. 

Executive Director of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 37, Henry Garrido, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent historical contract agreed to with New York City. Garrido discussed the benefits gained in the new contract and some of the difficulties Garrido faced in the negotiations.

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director, CWA District 4 | James Hart, President, Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO

Frank Mathews, the Administrative Director for District 4 of the Communication Workers of America joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss some recent pro-labor election victories. Mathews discussed the processes used by the CWA in Michigan to educate voters, the takeaway from the progressive victory in Wisconsin and Mathews’ belief in new Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson.

 

Joining the America’s Work Force Union Podcast is President of the Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO, James Hart. Hart talked about National Submarine Day, and shared the origins of submarines, the impact submarines have had on many historical events and the state current submarines are having on the world stage. Hart also discussed the proposed submarine repair dock in Lorain, Ohio, and the remaining obstacles they are working to overcome.

Taylor Doggett and Courtney Laudick, VP of Communication and VP of Organizing, Congressional Workers Union | Rosemary Gibson, Author, China Rx

Joining the America’s Work Force Union Podcast from the Congressional Workers Union are Taylor Doggett, VP of Communication, and Courtney Laudick, VP of Organizing. The two discussed the work being done by the CWU. Doggett and Laudick talked about the origins of the CWU, the type of issues in the workplace that led to organizing efforts and the next steps for the growth of the CWU.

 

Author Rosemary Gibson joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the growing supply chain shortage of essential generic medications from China. Gibson, who co-wrote China Rx, spoke about the over-reliance of China in the drug manufacturing processes and proposed a plan to help the United States eliminate the supply chain shortages.

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, C/CO BCTC | Fred Redmond, Secretary Treasurer, AFL-CIO

Dorsey Hager, the Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building Construction and Trades Council joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the recent visit by North American Building and Trades Union President Sean McGarvey to Columbus where he discussed the growth and opportunities in the area. Hager also shared updates on the major construction projects coming to the Central Ohio region, and he also looked at the number of new jobs these projects will bring in the next 18 months. Finally, Hager talked about the C/CO BCTC's political endorsements for the next election cycle.

 

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer, Fred Redmond joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the recent legislation and political changes in multiple different states and what that means for the labor movement. Redmond went into more detail about Michigan and Wisconsin’s recent wins in state government. Finally, Redmond discussed the actions taken in the Tennessee state legislature and gave his opinion on the matters and what he believes some of the responses will look like.

Adam Keller, Co-Host, The Valley Labor Report | Dale Cope, Business Manager, IBEW Local 676

Adam Keller, Co-host of The Valley Labor Report and member of IATSE Local 900 joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss an ongoing struggle between the Atlanta Opera and IATSE Local 798 members. Keller also discussed new efforts to grow and improve The Valley Labor Report, including their new weekly show, Shop Talk and the historical events discussed on the show, like the Walker County, AL educator strike of 1979.

 

Business Manager of IBEW Local 676, Dale Cope, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss recent organizing successes his Local has had in the Pensacola area. Cope also discussed the recent growth in apprentices and how the IBEW is able to stay ahead of the competition as new technologies come to market. Finally, Cope shared the five-year outlook for his Local with emerging solar and EV work.

John Driscoll Jr, Business Manager, IUEC Local 17 | Matt Rothschild, Executive Director, Wisconsin Democracy Campaign | Jennifer Berkshire, Adjunct Faculty Member, Economic Policy Institute

John Driscoll Jr., Business Manager of the International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 17 joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss new state legislation that requires a license to repair and install elevators, escalators and lifts in Ohio. Driscoll also shared a story that serves as a warning to not having licensed repairmen on the job. He outlined what is known about the bill so far and some of the concerns that contractors are voicing.

 

Matt Rothschild, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the win by Wisconsin Democrats in the state Supreme Court election. Rothschild shared his insights from the last 13 years in Wisconsin and outlined what this election could mean for the state’s future with the democratically controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court.

 

Journalist and an Economic Policy Institute contributor, Jennifer Berkshire, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the intentional weakening of child labor laws nationwide.  She discussed why she believes some states are weakening the child labor laws and what it will mean for the future of labor in those states.

Tim Burga, President, Ohio AFL-CIO | Jeff Holly, Business Manager and Financial Secretary-Treasurer, SMART Local 359

President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, Tim Burga, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Ohio’s upcoming legislative battles. Burga discussed the lack of progress on redistricting. He also talked about the fight over the approval threshold on state constitutional amendments and Senate Bill 83, and what it means for Ohio public university workers. 

 

Jeff Holly, Business Manager and Financial Secretary-Treasurer of SMART Local 359 joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the state of his local. Holly discussed the major work projects that Local 359 is working on in the Phoenix area and the boom in membership since 2015. He also discussed the Local’s growing apprenticeship program, the factors that he believes led to the growth of union membership and Local 359’s five-year work outlook.

Ron Bieber, President, Michigan AFL-CIO | Darrin Camilleri, District 4 State Senator, Michigan State Senate

President of the Michigan AFL-CIO, Ron Bieber, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss repealing Michigan’s So-Called “Right-to-Work” legislation. Bieber discussed the history of the So-Called “Right-to-Work” in Michigan dating back to 2013 when the then Republican-controlled state government passed the legislation. He shared the moment he believes the battle turned in their favor and the ongoing fight lawmakers face to continue supporting workers. 

 

Michigan’s State Senator Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) discussed the bill he introduced that repealed Michigan’s So-Called “Right-to-Work” legislation on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast. Camilleri discussed his battle to have the bill be passed, the impact of the bill on future pro-worker legislation and other efforts he and other pro-labor lawmakers need to do to ensure no legislation is brought against the repeal.