America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Melissa Cropper, President, Ohio Federation of Teachers | Stephen Rumburg, Business Manager and President, IUOE Local 465

President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, Melissa Cropper, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to share updates about legislature impacting teachers in Ohio. Cropper discussed a proposed rule by the Federal Trade Commission to ban non-compete clauses with workers. Cropper shared how some teachers, mostly those in the Charter school system, have been impacted by non-compete clauses. She then discussed the issues the state faces with the Fair School Funding Plan and expanded charter school vouchers being implemented. Cropper also warned that the democratic process could be impacted by passing Ohio’s Senate Bill 1.

 

Stephen Rumburg, Business Manager and President of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 465, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast. Rumburg discussed the dynamics of managing an area covering North and South Carolina. He shared the difficulties he’s faced trying to organize in two of the least union friendly states and the successes they’ve had in growing membership recently. The push for renewable energy has Local 465 working with the North and South Carolina Building and Construction Trades Councils to unionize much of that work.

Billy Dycus, President, Tennessee AFL-CIO | Jake Grumbach, Associate Professor, University of Washington

Tennessee AFL-CIO President Billy Dycus joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the growth of Tennessee’s organized labor movement, which has been fueled by younger workers. He also spoke about the two sectors leading the way in union growth - construction and automotive manufacturing - and how they led to a 38 percent increase in overall union membership in a state considered to be anti-union.

 

Author Jake Grumbach appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about his book, which hypothesizes there is a direct correlation between organized labor and the strength of America’s democracy. In Laboratories Against Democracy: How National Parties Transformed State Politics, Grumbach aruges fewer union members hurt the nation’s democracy and weaken diversity and inclusion. He also aruged that union membership will not see a large increase until more manufacturing work returns to the U.S.

Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications Division, American Legion | Norm Wernet, President, Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans

Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications for the American Legion, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and talked about the Legion’s efforts to curtail veteran suicide. He also discussed the impact of the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and an Idaho post that operates out of the Idaho State Correctional Center.

 

Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans Presdent Norm Wernet appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed several portions of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, which he believes could positively impact retirees. This included Biden’s commitment to not make cuts to Social Security and Medicare.

Jim Walker, Sub-District 1 Director, United Steelworkers | Alin Boswell, Assistant to the National President, Association of Professional Flight Attendants

Jim Walker, Sub-District 1 Director for the United Steelworkers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the upcoming closure of the Sherwin-Williams Aerosol Plant in Bedford Heights, Ohio and how it will affect members of the USW who work in the plant. He also spoke about the first newly built U.S. freighter to pilot on the Great Lakes since 1983 and organizing an aluminim plant in Youngstown, Ohio.

 

Assistant to the National President of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, Alin Boswell, appeared on America’s Work Force Union Podcast and provided an update on collective bargaining negotiations between the union and American Airlines. He also described his transition from a teacher to becoming a flight attendant.

Tatishka Thomas, President of AFGE Local 548 | Steve Lanning, Business Manager, LiUNA Local 11

Tatishka Thomas, President of the American Federal Government Employees Local 548 joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast and shared the 2023 AFGE legislative priorities, which include passage of the FAIR Act and D.C. Statehood Act. She also spoke about efforts by the VA and AFGE to expedite the onboarding process for new providers.

 

Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 11 Business Manager Steve Lanning appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the sectoral organizing method. He then touched on local governments being more receptive to discussing wage theft and worker misclassification ordinance. Lanning also explained the benefits of higher Prevailing Wage rates.

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director, CWA District 4 | John Holbrook, Business Manager/Financial Secretary Treasurer, Tri-State BCTC

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director for the Communications Workers of America Union District 4, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the CWA’s support of annual Manufacturing Camps hosted by the office of Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). He also talked about President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address and U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who will reportedly become the head of the National Hockey League Players Association in the coming weeks.

 

Tri-State Building and Construction Trades Council Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer John Holbrook joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the region’s work outlook, which he feels will keep many affiliated members busy for a long time. He also spoke about the need to recruit more apprentices and efforts to recruit new members from the jurisdiction’s underserved communities.

Ed Hawthorne, President, Connecticut AFL-CIO | Jim Lister, NY and NE States Conference International Vice President, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers

Ed Hawthorne, President of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the effort by organized labor within the state to elect 31 union members to the state legislature. He addressed the legislative agenda of these newly elected members and gave his thoughts on the constitutionality of a bill that banned captive audience meetings. 

 

Jim Lister, New York and New England States Conference International Vice President of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the region’s booming work outlook. He spoke about a potential shortage of Insulators and addressed the advantage of mechanical insulation. Lister also discussed one of his goals, which is to stop the perpetuation of the negative stereotype of unions.

Tony Reardon, National President, National Treasury Employees Union | Scott Slawson, President, United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America Local 506

National Treasury Employees Union National President Tony Reardon joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the need to grow the Internal Revenue Service following more than a decade of downsizing. He then discussed an attempt by Repubilcans to repeal portions of the Inflation Reduction Act. Reardon then compared a proposed pay raise for federal employees to the wages of those in the private sector with similar jobs.

 

Scott Slawson, President of the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America Local 506, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and urged Class 1 railroad carriers to embrace the “Green Locomotive.” He explained the possible reasons why railroads continue to use locomotives that do not meet emissions standards and debunked misconceptions about going “green.” 

Desiree Hoffman, Assistant Legislative Director, UAW | Tom Hansen, Business Manager, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 302

Desiree Hoffman, Assistant Legislative Director for the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), returned to the AWF Union Podcast and gave her thoughts on President Joe Biden’s State of Union Address. The President touchded on several issues important to organized labor including the PRO Act, Social Security, Medicare and union busting.

 

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 302 Business Manager Tom Hansen joined the AWF Union Podcast and explained how legislation enacted by the State of California and local governments has created an environment he called a “Disneyland for union work.” He also talked about Project Labor Agreements and the need to double the number of participants in the Local’s registered apprenticeship program.

Travis Woodward, President, CSEA SEIU Local 2001 | Pamela Trhlik, Director Government Relations/New Business Development, LiUNA Local 563

Travis Woodward, President of Civil Service Employees Association Service Employees International Union Local 2001, joined the AWF Union Podcast and discussed a childcare crisis in Connecticut caused by childcare providers earning poor wages and no benefits. He also talked about the privatization of the Connecticut Department of Transportation and legislation to fully integrate paraeducators into the educational system.

 

Laborers' International Union of North America Local 563 Director of Government Relations and New Business Development Pamela Trhlik appeared on the Ameria’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the need to fight back against the non-union mindset in North Dakota and the help from unions in Minnesota to organize and grow unions. She also discussed the push to gain marketshare in the alternative energy sector.