America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Melissa Cropper, President, Ohio Federation of Teachers | Hattie Adams, President, CSEA Unit 9200

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the recent passage of Senate Joint Resolution 2 in Ohio. She also addressed positive movement for the Fair School Funding Plan, changes made to the voucher program and organization efforts at the KIPP School in Columbus.

Civil Service Employees Association Unit 9200 President Hattie Adams appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about a new five-year Collective Bargaining Agreement recently ratified by members. She explained the difference between this contract and previous contracts, plus the difficulties Unit 9200 faced during the pandemic.

Judy Danella, President, USW Local 4-200 | Todd Vachon, Assistant Professor of Labor Studies and Employment Relations, Rutgers AAUP-AFT

Judy Danella, President of the United Steelworkers Local 4-200, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss ongoing nursing staff shortage in New Jersey. Danella also discussed safe staffing practices, hoping to approve nurse-to-patient ratios and the gathering of nurses in Trenton on May 11 to support safe staffing. She also discussed travel nurses and the difference between a travel nurse and a nurse that is working in the area where they live.

Executive Council member of the Rutgers American Association of University Professors-American Federation of Teachers, Todd Vachon, returned to the the America’s Work Force Union Podcast. Vachon discussed the new contract resolution that all three striking unions have agreed upon, the difficulties of organizing and communicating for three unions during negotiations and the results of Common Good negotiations.

Bart Pantoja, Business Manager and Secretary-Treasurer, San Mateo Building and Construction Trades Council | Joyce Goldstein, Labor Lawyer

Bart Pantoja, the Business Manager and Secretary-Treasurer for the San Mateo Building and Construction Trades Council joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the work being done in his area, recent PLA’s and plans for childcare assistance for members in the future. Pantoja also discussed the recruiting work to develop a younger workforce in the building trades.

Labor Lawyer Joyce Goldstein, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a recent National Labor Relations Board ruling that overturned a precedent set by the previous administration. Goldstein discussed the changes and what it means for workers in the future.

Adam Keller, Co-Host and Co-Producer, The Valley Labor Report | Mike Miller, Regional Director, UAW Region 6

Adam Keller, the co-host and co-producer for The Valley Labor Report joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the outreach and educational opportunities he was able to provide to high school students on Workers’ Memorial Day and May Day. Keller also discussed Alabama House Bill 209 (HB 209) and the Writers Guild of America strike.

Region 6 Director for the United Auto Workers, Mike Miller, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recently signed neutrality agreement and national card check with an electric vehicle battery manufacturer, Sparkz. Miller also discussed the future of EV development in California and how he believes the state can assist the transition to electric vehicles.

Andrew Strom, Labor Lawyer, OnLabor Blog | Amy Wiser, Director of Communications, Boilermakers

Andrew Strom a Labor Lawyer and Senior Contributor to the OnLabor Blog joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss recent issues with the attempt to organize Amazon delivery drivers in California. Strom discussed the nuances of the drivers’ employment situation of the drivers and what different National Labor Relations Board decisions would do to the delivery drivers.

Director of Communications for the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Shipbuilders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers Amy Wiser, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss what the Boilermakers do. Wiser also discussed the Boilermakers' stance on clean energy initiatives and new projects coming to different industries the union supports.

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director, CWA District 4 | Alex Perkins, Staff Representative, United Steelworkers

Frank Mathews, the Administrative Director of the Communication Workers of America District 4, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the proposed house and senate resolutions in Ohio’s and how they might impact the future of Ohio politics. Mathews also discussed a call to action that will be happening on May 10 in Columbus to protest the two resolutions.

Staff Representative for the United Steelworkers Alex Perkins, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing first contract negotiations with Kumho Tires and the events that have taken place during the six-year organizing effort. Perkins also discussed the difficulties of organizing in Georgia against major multinational companies.

Mark Dimondstein, President, AWPU | Matt Biggs, President, IFPTE

Mark Dimondstein, President of the American Postal Workers Union, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss ongoing staffing issues on the retail and delivery side of postal work. Dimondstein also discussed some of the fundamental issues needing to be fixed to improve working conditions and he shared the potential plans for a new version of the United States Postal Savings System.

President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Matt Biggs, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss proposed federal budget cuts for the 2024 Fiscal Year and its possible impact on many programs. Biggs also discussed the impact the cuts would have on IFPTE members.

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Columbus/Central Ohio Building & Construction Trades Council | Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer, AFL-CIO

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer for the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss more new projects coming to the Central Ohio region. Hager also discussed the two new Google data centers and provided an update on current projects.

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast for another installment of First Friday with Fred. Redmond discussed the concerns surrounding Julie Su’s confirmation as Secretary of Labor, gave his thoughts on the idea of eliminating funding for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the reasons why OSHA needs to continue being funded.

Melissa Moriarty, Storytelling and Communications Specialist, NCOSH | Dave Jamieson, Labor Writer, Huff Post

Melissa Moriarty, the storytelling and communications specialist for the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their 11th annual Dirty Dozen Report. The report lists the top 12 companies with an unsafe workplace and Moriarty shared some of the details that led to each company being ranked.

 

Huff Post Labor Writer, Dave Jamieson, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the current wave of union organizing campaigns throughout America. Jamieson also discussed the Writers Guild of America strike and the reason behind it.

Erin Gilmore, Office Director for Construction Services, OSHA | Dave Megenhardt, Executive Director, United Labor Agency

In honor of National Stand-Down Fall Prevention Week, Erin Gilmore, Office Director for Construction Services with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to share the history and goals for the week. She also discussed how employees and employers can participate.

 

Dave Megenhardt, Executive Director of the United Labor Agency, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss upcoming events to recruit and educate younger residents in the Cleveland area about building trades careers. Megenhardt also talked about the desire to recruit a younger workforce and why he believes more people should learn a trade.