America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Captain Dennis Tajer (Allied Pilots Association) / Matt Nelson (IBEW Local 756)

Allied Pilots Association (APA) Spokesman Capt. Dennis Tajer joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the airline industry’s pilot shortage, which has led to an increased number of “fatigue calls,” when pilots call off because they are too tired to fly safely. He also spoke about a potential merger between the APA and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), plus the impact of a recently negotiated contract win by Delta employees.

 

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 756 Business Manager/ Financial Secretary Matt Nelson appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed the increased prevalence of IBEW members at NASA and other space companies.

Jon Schleuss (News-Guild CWA) / Joyce Goldstein (Labor Lawyer) / Sen. Sherrod Brown

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and shared his top three priorities to address during the current lame-duck session of Congress: Increase funding for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), renew the Child Tax Credit and reauthorize and fund the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program.

 

NewsGuild-Communication Workers of America (TNG-CWA) President Jon Schleuss appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and explained the Union’s strategy behind the recent 24-hour strike by 1,100 TNG-CWA members at the New York Times. He also spoke about ongoing strikes at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, along with a judge’s recent decision to force Starbucks Workers United to turn over private messages between workers and journalists.

 

Joyce Goldstein, a labor and employee benefits lawyer at Joyce Goldstein & Associates, was a guest on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed a recent Ohio Supreme Court decision that empowers workers to sue their bosses in the event of a work-related injury.

Zach Boren (Urban Institute) / Desiree Hoffman (United Auto Workers)

Urban Institute Senior Policy Program Manager Zachary Boren joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the Union-Based Apprenticeships for Young People report that found first-year union journeymen earn higher wages than their non-union counterparts.

 

United Auto Workers (UAW) Assistant Legislative Director Desiree Hoffman appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about the need to pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and the UAW’s call for automakers to shift their entire supply chain out of China's Xinjiang region.

Jeff Mehrhoff (IUPAT DC7) / Randy Frye (UA Local 538)

International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 7 Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Jeff Mehrhoff joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed Wisconsin’s worker shortage and how the Council is actively recruiting members of an underserved communities to close the gap. He also talked about an Apprenticeship Readiness Program in Michigans’ Upper Peninsula.

  

United Association Local 538 Business Manager Randy Frye appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed the passage of Amendment 1, which enshrined So-Called “Right to Work” laws in the Tennessee Constitution. He also talked about the growth of the Local JATC’s HVAC-R apprenticeship program, as well as the upcoming work outlook.

Tim Burga (Ohio AFL-CIO) / Justin Hubly (AFSCME Local 61)

Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joined the AWF Union Podcast to discuss Ohio Senate Bill 178 and how, if passed, it would affect the State Board of Education. He also explained Ohio House Joint Resolution 6, which would increase the percentage of votes needed to pass a citizen-initiated amendment to the state’s Constitution.  

 

The Nebraska Association of Public Employees (NAPE)/American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 61 Executive Director Justin Hubly appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed an initiative that effectively doubled the Local’s membership, despite issues faced by the Local during contract negotiations with the Governer’s office. He also talked about a lawsuit infront of the Nebraska Supreme Court over a dress code ban that Hubly believes violates the Local’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Lanny Mathis (IBEW Local 1205) / Stephanie Mullin (UA Local 34)

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1205 Business Manager Lanny Mathis joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the opportunities created by installing electric vehicle charging stations provide members of the IBEW. He also talked about the Local’s renovation of Tyndall Air Force base, which was destroyed by Hurricane Michael.

 

Plumbing apprentice Stephanie Mullin, from Plumbers Local 34, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about the Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference and the solidarity it provides women in the trades. She also talked about winning a Tradeswomen Heros award, which honors the dedicated tradeswomen within the 14 International building trades unions affiliated with North America’s Building Trade Unions (NABTU).       

Dorsey Hager (Columbus/Central Ohio BCTC) / Fred Redmond (AFL-CIO)

Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dorsey Hager made his monthly appearance on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and provided an update on the $20 billion Intel semiconductor plant being built in New Albany and the $4 billion Honda/LG electric vehicle battery plant project underway in Fayette County.

 

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about the effort by Congress to avoid a railway strike, plus the need for all workers to have paid sick leave. He also spoke about the Georgia run-off election and the legislation he believes Congress will pass during the lame-duck session.

Ron Lord (Southwest Pipe Trades Association) / Kelsie Anderson (OPEIU Local 12)

Southwest Pipe Trades Association (SWPTA) Political Director Ron Lord joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the importance of face-to-face conversations when it comes to political campaigning and getting out the vote. He also talked about the importance of courting both political parties to support labor issues. 

 

Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 12 President Kelsie Anderson appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed recent contracts the Local negotiated for nonprofit organizations, including the first Collective Bargaining Agreement for Augsburg University staff. 

Scott Paul (AAM) / Brian Baskett (Ironworkers Local 46)

The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) President Scott Paul joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the threat to domestic electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing by the proliferation of Chinese-made EVs into the American market. He then talked about pending federal legislation that, if passed, would require online retailers to label a product’s country of origin. He also touched on the 2022 Made in America Holiday Gift Guide.

 

Brian Baskett, Business Manager/Financial Secretary/Treasurer of Ironworkers Local 46, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed the lucrative work opportunities his members have enjoyed thanks to investments in green energy. He also spoke about the Illinois’ Workers Rights Amendment.

  

Will Cotta (Mayflower Wind) / TJ Dick (IUOE Local 571)

Mayflower Wind Supply Chain Manager Will Cotta joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the benefits of using union labor to construct an offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts. He also talked about the challenge of procuring materials made in the U.S. for the project.

 

TJ Dick, Business Agent, Vice President and Organizing Director for the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 571, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and explained  how the Local has grown, despite the challenges of organizing in Nebraska, a So-Called “Right to Work” state. He also detailed benefits of being in the IUOE including its pension plan.