America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications Division, American Legion | Norm Wernet, President, Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans

Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications for the American Legion, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and talked about the Legion’s efforts to curtail veteran suicide. He also discussed the impact of the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and an Idaho post that operates out of the Idaho State Correctional Center.

 

Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans Presdent Norm Wernet appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed several portions of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, which he believes could positively impact retirees. This included Biden’s commitment to not make cuts to Social Security and Medicare.

Jim Walker, Sub-District 1 Director, United Steelworkers | Alin Boswell, Assistant to the National President, Association of Professional Flight Attendants

Jim Walker, Sub-District 1 Director for the United Steelworkers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the upcoming closure of the Sherwin-Williams Aerosol Plant in Bedford Heights, Ohio and how it will affect members of the USW who work in the plant. He also spoke about the first newly built U.S. freighter to pilot on the Great Lakes since 1983 and organizing an aluminim plant in Youngstown, Ohio.

 

Assistant to the National President of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, Alin Boswell, appeared on America’s Work Force Union Podcast and provided an update on collective bargaining negotiations between the union and American Airlines. He also described his transition from a teacher to becoming a flight attendant.

Tatishka Thomas, President of AFGE Local 548 | Steve Lanning, Business Manager, LiUNA Local 11

Tatishka Thomas, President of the American Federal Government Employees Local 548 joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast and shared the 2023 AFGE legislative priorities, which include passage of the FAIR Act and D.C. Statehood Act. She also spoke about efforts by the VA and AFGE to expedite the onboarding process for new providers.

 

Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 11 Business Manager Steve Lanning appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the sectoral organizing method. He then touched on local governments being more receptive to discussing wage theft and worker misclassification ordinance. Lanning also explained the benefits of higher Prevailing Wage rates.

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director, CWA District 4 | John Holbrook, Business Manager/Financial Secretary Treasurer, Tri-State BCTC

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director for the Communications Workers of America Union District 4, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the CWA’s support of annual Manufacturing Camps hosted by the office of Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). He also talked about President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address and U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who will reportedly become the head of the National Hockey League Players Association in the coming weeks.

 

Tri-State Building and Construction Trades Council Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer John Holbrook joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the region’s work outlook, which he feels will keep many affiliated members busy for a long time. He also spoke about the need to recruit more apprentices and efforts to recruit new members from the jurisdiction’s underserved communities.

Ed Hawthorne, President, Connecticut AFL-CIO | Jim Lister, NY and NE States Conference International Vice President, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers

Ed Hawthorne, President of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the effort by organized labor within the state to elect 31 union members to the state legislature. He addressed the legislative agenda of these newly elected members and gave his thoughts on the constitutionality of a bill that banned captive audience meetings. 

 

Jim Lister, New York and New England States Conference International Vice President of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the region’s booming work outlook. He spoke about a potential shortage of Insulators and addressed the advantage of mechanical insulation. Lister also discussed one of his goals, which is to stop the perpetuation of the negative stereotype of unions.

Tony Reardon, National President, National Treasury Employees Union | Scott Slawson, President, United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America Local 506

National Treasury Employees Union National President Tony Reardon joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the need to grow the Internal Revenue Service following more than a decade of downsizing. He then discussed an attempt by Repubilcans to repeal portions of the Inflation Reduction Act. Reardon then compared a proposed pay raise for federal employees to the wages of those in the private sector with similar jobs.

 

Scott Slawson, President of the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America Local 506, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and urged Class 1 railroad carriers to embrace the “Green Locomotive.” He explained the possible reasons why railroads continue to use locomotives that do not meet emissions standards and debunked misconceptions about going “green.” 

Desiree Hoffman, Assistant Legislative Director, UAW | Tom Hansen, Business Manager, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 302

Desiree Hoffman, Assistant Legislative Director for the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), returned to the AWF Union Podcast and gave her thoughts on President Joe Biden’s State of Union Address. The President touchded on several issues important to organized labor including the PRO Act, Social Security, Medicare and union busting.

 

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 302 Business Manager Tom Hansen joined the AWF Union Podcast and explained how legislation enacted by the State of California and local governments has created an environment he called a “Disneyland for union work.” He also talked about Project Labor Agreements and the need to double the number of participants in the Local’s registered apprenticeship program.

Travis Woodward, President, CSEA SEIU Local 2001 | Pamela Trhlik, Director Government Relations/New Business Development, LiUNA Local 563

Travis Woodward, President of Civil Service Employees Association Service Employees International Union Local 2001, joined the AWF Union Podcast and discussed a childcare crisis in Connecticut caused by childcare providers earning poor wages and no benefits. He also talked about the privatization of the Connecticut Department of Transportation and legislation to fully integrate paraeducators into the educational system.

 

Laborers' International Union of North America Local 563 Director of Government Relations and New Business Development Pamela Trhlik appeared on the Ameria’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the need to fight back against the non-union mindset in North Dakota and the help from unions in Minnesota to organize and grow unions. She also discussed the push to gain marketshare in the alternative energy sector.

Tim Burga, President, Ohio AFL-CIO | Ken Broadbent, Business Manager, UA Steamfitters Local 449

Tim Burga, Ohio AFL-CIO President, rejoined the America’s Work Force Union podcast and discussed the federation’s wish list for the state’s biennial budget process and what they will advocate for. He then talked about the potential for the state to repeal public sector union release and gave an update on Ohio’s redistricting process. 

Steamfitters Local 449 Business Manager Ken Broadbent appeared on the AWF Union Podcast to discuss the the growth of the Local’s apprenticeship program and the tools they have and are using to recruit apprentices. He also spoke about the labor and worker friendly policies of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Robert “Chap” Thornton, Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer UA Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 286 | Jonathan Blaine, Training Coordinator, Insulators Local 16 JATC

Robert “Chap” Thornton, Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer of the United Association Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 286, returned to the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the growth of Austin’s technology sector, which has created jobs for the building trades. He also addressed the growth of the Local’s apprenticeship program and his career pathway into the building trades. 

 

Jonathan Blaine, Insulators Local 16 Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee Training Coordinator, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discussed the growth of Local 16’s registered apprenticeship program and the requirements to become an apprentice. He also explained the need for instructors to upgrade their teaching skills.