America’s Work Force Union Podcast

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.

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Columbus/Central Ohio Buildings and Construction Trade Council | Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer, AFL-CIO

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer for the Columbus/Central Ohio Buildings and Construction Trade Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the the need to organize more non-union construction workers in Central Ohio. He then addressed the need to expand and grow registered apprenticeship programs due to the long-term construction forecast in Central Ohio. Hager also discussed the work of the newly formed City of Columbus Community Benefit Agreement Committee.

 

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, made his his monthly appearance on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the 2023 AFL-CIO Martin Luther King Jr. Conference. Redmond also discussed the federation’s current meetings with the Democratic National Committee and why it is crucial for the AFL-CIO. Finally, he described the federation’s plan to work with legislators and why it is essential to the continued success of the labor movement.

(Frank Barile, IUOE 99) (Jim Fellows, IBEW 725)

Frank Barile, President and Assistant Business Manager of IUOE Local 99, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the benefits of joining the Local’s registered apprenticeship program. He also addressed the importance of diversity and why military veterans make ideal members.

 

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 725 Business Manager Jim Fellows joined the AWF Union Podcast and discussed the importance of classroom instruction for the Local’s registered apprenticeship program. He also talked about organizing and how renewable energy is creating jobs for the Local’s members.

Joe Fowler (Minnesota Building & Construction Trades Council) / Joey Combs (SEIU Michigan 517M)

Joe Fowler, President of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about worker missclassification and wage theft, which are a problem within the construction industry. He also addressed possible solutions to job loss created by renewable energy laws. 

 

Joey Combs, President of the Service Employees International Union Local 517M, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed a plan that will hopefully lead to the eventual repeal of Michigan’s So-Called “Right to Work” laws. She also spoke about the importance of public sector employees being involved in politics.

(Lyn Montgomery, Transport Workers Union of America 556) (Colin Lavin, IBEW 47)

Lyn Montgomery, President of the Transport Workers Union of America Local 556, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the late December operational failures of Southwest Airlines and the poor working conditions the airline’s flight attendants endure every day.

 

Colin Lavin, Business Manager and Financial Secretary of IBEW Local 47, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about electrical vehicle infrastructure investments, plus the need to pass down industry knowledge from journeymen to apprentices.

Sean Flaherty (Keches Law Group) / Paul Goodrich (Laborers’ New England Regional Organzing Fund)

Paul Goodrich, Laborers’ New England Reginoal Organizing Fund Organizer, and attorney Sean Flaherty, Managing Partner at Keches Law Group, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and addressed alligations that a Massachusetts-based contractor is missclassifying its workers as independent contractors and committing wage theft. They also spoke about a recently filed lawsuit filed against the company, Feeney Brothers Utility Services.

James Hyden (Greater Cincinnati Building and Construction Trades Council) / John E. Shinn (United Steelworkers)

James Hyden, Executive Secretary of the Greater Cincinnati Building and Construction Trades Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project, which he was told he would get to work on as an apprentice nearly 30 years ago. Hyden also talked about making sure the building trades apprenticeship is not the region’s best-kept secret.

John E. Shinn, International Secretary-Treasurer of the United Steelworkers, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about the USW’s first foray into representing athletes during a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Bill Samuel, Director of Government Affairs with the AFL-CIO | Thomas Kennedy, Executive Director and Secretary/Treasurer of the Texas State Building and Construction Trades Council

AFL-CIO Director of Government Affairs Bill Samuel joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the aftermath of the election of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House. He believes an ineffective House Speaker will be good for organized labor. Samuel gave his thoughts on the issues surrounding the debt ceiling and then explained why Presidential holdover nominees from the last Sentate should receive a vote in from this Congress. 

 

Thomas Kennedy, Director and Secretary/Treasurer of the Texas State Building and Construction Trades Council appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and explained how joining a building trades union can lift two generations out of poverty at the same time. He also discussed the need to recruit new apprentices and the multiple mega projects go out to bid in Texas..

Pete Ielemini, Executive Director, Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust | Jason Emerick, Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer, Ironworkers Local 112

Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust Pete Ielemini appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and debunked myths surrounding the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act. He also touched on the need to invest in apprenticeship programs in order to perform high quality work on FMIA projects, if the legislation is passed. 

Jason Emerick, Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Ironworkers Local 112, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed his early struggles as a non-union iron worker and compared it to his time as a Local 112 apprentice and journeyman. Emerick also provided insight on why the Local is seeing a higher quality of apprentice applicants.

Grady Mullins, Executive Secretary/Treasurer Dayton Building and Construction Trades Council | Tom Buffenbarger, Independent Labor Voice

Grady Mullins, Executive Secretary/Treasurer of Dayton Building and Construction Trades Council, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed what will be a busy 2023 for affiliated members thanks to large projects being performed under Project Labor Agreements at Royal Canin, Honda/LG and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He also spoke about the need to recruit more apprentices and explained how the Dayton Building Futures Program works. 

 

Tom Buffenbarger, an independent labor voice, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, and discussed the Southwest Airlines flight cancellation debacle in late December 2022. He also touched on the quality of life issues railroad workers still face after Congress passed legislation to approve a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the railroads and their unions.