America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Tim Burga (Ohio AFL-CIO) / Kevin Sage (East Central IL BCTC)

Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the role organized labor plays in getting the union vote out to the polls. He also talked about the Intel groundbreaking ceremony and the 33rd Biennial Convention of the Ohio AFL-CIO.

 

Kevin Sage, President of the East Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed Amendment 1, a proposed amendment to the Illinois Constitution on the November ballot that would establish employees’ collective bargaining rights.

Stephen Courtien (Baltimore/DC Building Trades) / Charles Skelly (IBEW Local 666)

Baltimore-D.C. Building Trades (BDCBT) President Stephen Courtien joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and explained the benefits of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) and how the BDCBT has used them to secure good-paying jobs for its affiliated members. He also spoke about Skipjack Wind, an offshore wind project that will bolster the area’s green energy industry.   

 

Charles Skelly, Business Manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 666, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed the $2.4 billion Diamond District project in Richmond, Va., and the work it will create for his membership. He also talked about the Electrical Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program, which will teach members to install electric vehicle charging stations.

Scott Paul (AAM) / Samantha Groark (Central Iowa BCTC)

The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) President Scott Paul joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the resurgence of American manufacturing, with the recent news that construction of new manufacturing facilities has soared by 116 percent over the past year. He also talked about the Invent Here, Make Here for Homeland Security Act and the “Buy Clean policy” of the Biden Administration. 

  

Central Iowa Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Director Samantha Groark  appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about how the Inflation Reduction Act provides some of the strongest labor protections and incentives ever attached to clean energy tax credit programs. She also discussed employee misclassification in the construction industry and how it impacts workers. 

Bill Samuel (AFL-CIO) / Tom Townsend (IBEW 704)

Bill Samuel, Government Affairs Director for the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how important the November election will be to progressing the goals of the labor movement, and why the Democrats are not getting enough credit for their accomplishments. 

  

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 704 Business Manager Tom Townsend appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and explained how anti-worker legislation in Iowa has exacerbated worker shortages in the building trades.

Pete Ielmini (LMCT) / Jamie Fleming (Teamsters Local 174)

Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT) Executive Director Pete Ielmini joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the importance of mechanical insulation energy audits and the need to amend language in the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to make them mandatory.

Teamsters Local 174 Director of Communications and Research Jamie Fleming appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement for 225 concrete truck drivers. She explained why the Local made the difficult decision to end a nearly five-month strike before an agreement had been reached, and the negotiation process that followed.

Chris Hannan (Los Angeles /Orange Counties BCTC) / Tom Buffenbarger (Independent Labor Voice)

Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary Chris Hannan joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed United to House LA, an affordable housing ballot measure L.A. voters will consider this November. He also talked about the construction of a $277 million Nickelodeon Hotel and Resort in Garden Grove and the jobs it will provide his members.

 

Tom Buffenbarger, an Independent Labor Voice, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about the tentative collective bargaining agreement reached between the railroads and rail workers' unions. He also spoke about the Weyerhaeuser strike and an upcoming unionization vote for JetBlue ground operations workers.

Joseph Demark (SMW Local 25) / Greg Regan (TTD)

Sheet Metal Workers (SMW) Local 25 President and Business Manager Joe Demark, Jr. joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the value of a SMW registered apprenticeship program, which provides people with the opportunity to top out as a journeymen and earn starting wages close to $100,000 per year, without the burden of college debt. He also spoke about the Local’s partnerships with local colleges and the need to upgrade air filtration systems in area buildings.   

 

AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department President Greg Regan appeared on the AWF  Union Podcast and discussed the importance of maintaining U.S. maritime ships as a matter of national security. He also provided an update on the tentative collective bargaining agreement reached between the railroads and rail workers' unions and later discussed the importance of maintaining two-person railroad crews.

Steve Snyder (UA Local 157) / Anna Fendley (United Steel Workers)

United Association Local 157 Plumbers and Pipefitters Field Representative Steve Snyder  joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the wave of retirements within  the building trades since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of apprentice recruitment can play to replace retired members.

    

Anna Fendley, Director of Regulatory and State Policy for the United Steelworkers (USW),  appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and explained how the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductor (CHIPS) for America Act doubled down on investment in the nation’s manufacturing sector and what it will mean for union labor. She also talked about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, which will strengthen American unions.

Jacob Morrison (North Alabama Area Labor Council) / Carl Chisem (CEUI)

Jacob Morrison, Secretary-Treasurer of North Alabama Area Labor Council and co-host of The Valley Labor Report, a weekly talk radio show, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how alleged child labor law violations at a metal stamping plant operated by, a subsidiary of Hyundai, have largely been ignored by the Alabama Attorney General’s Office.

 

Connecticut Employees Union Independent (CEUI) President Carl Chisem appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about a work zone speed camera pilot program the Union has developed in cooperation with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) to protect its members.

Bill Wetmore (AFGE) / Tony Reardon (NTEU)

American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National Veterans Affairs (VA) Council Third Executive Vice President Bill Wetmore joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed why the Council wants to replace VA Chief Negotiator Kurt Martin in its Master Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations. He also spoke about what he hopes to achieve for his members in a new contract.

 

National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) National President Tony Reardon appeared on the AWF  Union Podcast and explained how an $80 billion funding increase to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) through the Inflation Reduction Act will positively impact IRS services and improve revenue from tax collections. He also spoke about how the safety of his members has been compromised by what he called dangerous political rhetoric.