America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Eric Coons (UA Local 572) / Senator Sherrod Brown / Desiree Hoffman (United Auto Workers)

Eric Coons, Business Manager and Financial Secretary/Treasure of UA Local 572, joined the AWF Union Podcast and discussed Amendment One, which would enshrine So-Called “Right to Work” laws in the Tennessee State Constitution. He also spoke about his ambitions to double or triple the Local membership in the next five to 10 years. 

 

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) appeared on the AWF Union podcast and talked about the successful efforts of community leaders and politicians to prevent the closure of 20 Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals. He also talked about Ohio pension plans preserved by the American Rescue Plan and gave an update on the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act. 

 

United Auto Workers (UAW) Legislative Representative Desiree Hoffman also made an appearance on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, how it may impact the Intel project in Ohio and her thoughts on why the bill is being held up in Congress. 

David Webster (IUPAT DC 77) / Tony Quillen (IBEW Local 558)

David Webster, Director of Organizing for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 77, joined the AWF Union Podcast and discussed how the IUPAT uses national strategies to organize and target different cities. He also spoke about worker misclassification.   

 

Tony Quillen, Business Manager and Financial Secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 558, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about how the Local changed its apprenticeship from a five year to a four year program without losing any training hours.

Frank Mathews (CWA District 4) / Ryan Coffel (IBEW Local 494 and IBEW Local 1220)

Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 4 Administrative Director Frank Mathews joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides Americans with quality, low-cost internet service.

 

Ryan Coffel, a Barista Organizer with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1220 for Colectivo Coffee, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed the successful efforts by Colectivo coffee shop workers to unionize and the union busting tactics employed by the company.

Bill Blackman (IBEW Local 136) / Keven Barber (Iron Workers local 397)

Bill Blackman, Business Manager and Financial Secretary of IBEW Local 136, joined the AWF Union podcast and discussed business classes offered by the Local to journeymen who are interested in becoming signatory contractors. He also talked about a resolution passed by Birmingham City Council, which requires contractors to use construction workers who have completed an accredited apprenticeship program on publicly funded projects.

 

Keven Barber, Business Manager and Financial Secretary Treasurer of Ironworkers Local 397, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about the need to educate young people about the long term benefits of retirement and healthcare in order to grow union membership. He also spoke about the Multi Craft Core Curriculum, a pre-apprenticeship program for high school juniors and seniors.

Dave Spero (Professional Aviation Safety Specialists) / Eric R. Brown (Labor Lawyer )

Professional Aviation Safety Specialists National President Dave Spero joined the AWF Union Podcast and discussed the staffing crisis in the aviation industry and the need for Congress to provide additional funding to the FAA to address the problem. He also spoke about the need for legislation to be passed to pay FAA workers during a government shutdown.  

 

Eric Brown, a labor attorney at The Law Office of Eric R. Brown, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how employees often discount their value and are therefore willing to settle for less money than they are worth. He also explained why public sector workers may not have as rich benefits packages as some think.   

Andrew Burcham (AFSCME Council 962) / Jessica Fee (AFGE Local 1631)

Andrew Burcham, General Counsel and Staff Representative Organizer for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 962, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how the state of Kentucky is not spending stimulus funds from the American Rescue Plan and alleged political corruption in the city of Louisville.

 

American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1631 President Jessica Fee appeared on the AWF Union podcast and talked about the recent decision by the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee to not close the VA hospitals in Chillicothe, Ohio and numerous other VA facilities.

Greg Gove (Vermont BCTC) / Dave Megenhardt (United Labor Agency)

Greg Gove, Business Manager of Plumbers, Pipefitters, Welders and HVAC Techs Local 693 and the Financial Secretary for the Vermont Building and Construction Trades Council (BCTC), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the role trade unions can play as a type of as employment agency. That provides highly skilled and qualified workers on demand. He also talked about the need to grow the Local’s membership to replace retiring members.

 

United Labor Agency (ULA) Executive Director David Megenhardt appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about Breaking Down Barriers, a ULA sponsored job fair for the formerly incarcerated. He also spoke about Union Appreciation Day at Progressive Field in Cleveland and the upcoming Unsung Heroes Dinner.

Tim Burga Ohio (AFL-CIO) /John Williams (SMART Local 4)

Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and explained why Ohio will hold two primary elections this year and the importance of upcoming Ohio Supreme Court races. He also talked about AFL-CIO endorsements and how the Federation is approaching the midterm elections.

 

John Williams, Business Manager of SMART Local 4, appeared on the AWF Union podcast and spoke about the $5.6 billion Ford electrical plant being built in western Tennessee and its impact on his Local. He also talked about $350 billion in federal COVID-19 aid through the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, some of which will help fund the installation of ventilation systems in public buildings.  

Randi Weingarten (American Federation of Teachers) / Hamilton Nolan (In These Times)

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the state of America in the wake of Republican culture wars and recent school shootings. She also talked about her recent visit to Poland to provide educational opportunities for Ukrainian refugees.

 

Hamilton Nolan, a Labor Reporter for In These Times, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about why the AFL-CIO’s goal to recruit 1 million new union members over the next decade lacks ambition and would actually lead to a decline in union density.

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

Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dorsey Hager joined the American Work Force Union Podcast and explained why Intel postponed its groundbreaking ceremony in central Ohio. He also talked about the Innovation and Competition Act and a Google grant awarded to the Building Futures and Driving Futures programs.  

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about being elected the highest ranking elected African American in the history of the labor movement. He also discussed recent organizing wins, immigration reform and the midterm elections.