America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Jason Ehlert (North Dakota Building Trades Unions) / Frankie Pinkney (SEIU 400 PG)

Jason Ehlert, President of the North Dakota Building Trades Unions, joined to AWF Union to speak about the Talon Metals project being built under a Project Labor Agreement, which will create about 400 jobs for affiliated members of the building trades. He also spoke about starting a pre-apprenticeship program with tribal organizations.    

 

Frankie Pinkney, a member of Service Employees International Union Local 400 PG, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast to discuss the importance of Local members being active in the union and the need to maintain a strong relationship with the Prince George's County Public School System. 

Dorsey Hager (Columbus/Central Ohio BCTC) / Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)/ Fred Redmond (AFL-CIO)

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) joined the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about the Brent Spence Bridge corridor project. He also touched on some of the items included in the ominbus spending bill and how it will impact Americans.   

 

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joined the AWF Union Podcast and provided an update on the Intel project in Central Ohio and the amount of work in his jurisdiction that will be performed under Project Labor Agreements. He also discussed how his affiliated unions donated their time to help their communities over the holidays.  

 

Fred Redmond, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer, called into the AWF Union Podcast while at the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas. He discussed concerns union members have about technology and the need to organize in the high-tech sector. Redmond also talked about the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Conference and how Dr. King’s message remains a central point of organized labor.

Dan Duncan (Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO) / Rick Perdue (Lima BCTC)

Dan Duncan, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO, joined the AWF Union Podcast and explained the need to preserve the Jones Act, which Duncan claimed has wrongly come under fire in New England.  

     

Lima Building and Construction Trades Council President Rick Perdue was a guest on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about the great work opportunities in the Greater Lima, Ohio area throughout 2023. He also touched on the need to recruit new members to the building trades. 

Bill Blackman (IBEW 136) / Dave Megenhardt (ULA)

Bill Blackman, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 136 Business Manager, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the important role registered apprenticeship programs play in training the next generation of electrical workers. He also spoke about the methods used to recruit new members, including virtual reality.

 

The Executive Director of United Labor Agency, Dave Megenhardt, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and explained how the Fresh Start Program helps workers who are addicted to opioids re-enter the workforce.

Tim Burga (Ohio AFL-CIO) / Mike Smith (Upper Peninsula Construction Council)

Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the state’s minimum wage increase, the first in over a decade. He also talked about two pieces of legislation that target voter rights. 

 

Upper Peninsula Construction Council Executive Director Mike Smith appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and detailed an internship offered to teenagers who aspire to work in the construction industry. He also talked about the importance of labor and management working together to better the industry.

Hannah Halbert (Policy Matters Ohio) / Bob Funk (LaborLab)

Hannah Halbert, Policy Matters Ohio Executive Director, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the recent passage of a wage theft ordinance by Cleveland City Council that bans the City of Cleveland from doing business with companies found guilty of wage theft and payroll fraud. 

 

LaborLab Executive Director Bob Funk appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about his organization’s efforts to document and report union busting activities across the U.S.

Vince Saavedra (Southern Nevada Building Trades Unions ) / Greg Leroy (Good Jobs First)

Southern Nevada Building Trades Union’s (SNBTU) Executive Secretary-Treasurer Vince Saavedra joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the generational change unions provide working families as a pathway out of poverty and into the middle class. He also talked about the need to provide accessible childcare so more women can begin a career in the trades.

 

Greg Leroy, Executive Director of the national policy resource center Good Jobs First, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and talked about where tax payer dollars go when used for union jobs, deals and projects. He also shared how he armed people with this information through books from the 1990s to the present day.

Dan Gallagher (IBEW 38) / Jacob Morrison (North Alabama Area Labor Council)

Dan Gallagher, Business Manager/Financial Secretary for IBEW Local 38, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the rise of the new IBEW International President Kenneth W. Cooper and the importance of giving a hard day’s work on the jobsite. 

North Alabama Area Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer Jacob Morrison appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about an op-ed he wrote that rebuked former Auburn football coach and current Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville for criticizing the work ethic of Millenials. Morrison also touched on a paper mill lockout in Alabama.

Pete Ielmini (Insulators LMCT) / James Brant (Teamsters)

Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Insulators LMCT, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the career opportunities available to members of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers. He also touched on the importance of proper firestop inspections and gave an update on the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act.

International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 651 President James Brant appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about contract negotiations between the Local and UPS. He also explained the need to organize and grow the Local.

Richard Rothwell (Insulators Local 6) / Tom Buffenbarger (Independent)

Richard Rothwell, Training Coordinator for the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 6 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, joined the AWF Union Podcast and discussed his career journey as a third-generation Insulator and the importance of being loyal to one’s Local Union. He also spoke about the need to elect labor-friendly candidates.

 

Tom Buffenbarger, an independent labor voice, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about the failure of Congress to provide railroad workers with paid sick days. He also compared the situation of the railway workers to that of workers in the airline industry.