America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Bryce Covert (The Nation Magazine) / Pat Gallagher (NCALF)

Nation Magazine Contributor Bryce Covert joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed two articles she recently published in the magazine. 

 

North Coast Area Labor Federation President Pat Gallagher made his monthly guest appearance on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about this week’s 29th AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

Jessica Fee (AFGE Local 1631) / Jimmy Miller (IBEW Local 1105)

AFGE Local 1631 President Jessica Fee joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the potential closing of the Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center in Chillicothe, Ohio and the potential impact it would have on veterans and the Local’s membership. 

 

Jimmy Miller, Vice President and Membership Development Coordinator for IBEW Local 1105, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about recruitment efforts to grow the Central Ohio Local to meet construction demand for the upcoming $20 Billion Intel plant project.

Frank Mathews (CWA D 4) / Ann Byars (American Legion)

Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 4 Administrative Director Frank Mathews joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed a neutrality agreement between the CWA and Microsoft that allows workers to freely organize. He also explained the ramifications of passage of two pieces of legislation - Senate Bill 4192 and the US Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Act. 

 

Ann Byars, Program Manager of Youth Education and Civics at the American Legion, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about proper flag etiquette as part of AWF’s celebration of Flag Day.

Billy Dycus (Tennessee AFL-CIO) / John Flattery (APWU Local 4553)

Tennessee AFL-CIO President Billy Dycus joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed efforts in Tennessee to pass Amendment 1, which would enshrine a So-Called “Right to Work” law in the state constitution. He also talked about 24 percent growth in the state’s union density and the planned $5.6 billion Ford Batty plant project.

 

American Postal Workers Union Local 4553 President John Flattery appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about the degradation of services offered by the post office under the leadership of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. He also explained how the USPS’s two-tier wage system has impacted retention, turnover rates and employee morale.

Bill Gerhard (Iowa BCTC) / Senator Sherrod Brown / Joyce Goldstein (Labor Lawyer)

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed an announcement by Ford Motor Co. to add 1,800 union jobs to a plant in Ohio and its impact on the state’s economy. He also explained how the Infrastructure Act will create good paying union construction jobs and revamp that state’s transit system. 

 

Bill Gerhard, President of the Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council and Business Development Coordinator for Iowa Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust (LECET), appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about the challenges of organizing in Iowa, and efforts to expand apprenticeship programs and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 

 

Joyce Goldstein, a Labor and Employee Benefits Lawyer at Joyce Goldstein & Associates, appeared on the AWF Union podcast and spoke about the NLRB’s challenge of the Kroger Company’s ban on Black Lives Matter buttons in the workplace. She also discussed the Third Circuit Appellate Court’s reversal of an NLRB decision involving a tweet by the CEO of the company that publishes the Federalist.

Vincent Alvarez (New York City CLC, AFL-CIO) / Josh Nassar (UAW)

New York City Central Labor Council (NYCCLC) President Vincent Alvarez joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the need to create good union jobs during the transition to a green energy economy and recent organizing successes in New York City. 

 

United Auto Workers (UAW) Legislative Director Josh Nassar appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about job opportunities for autoworkers as domestic electric vehicle and battery production ramps up. He also spoke about labor rights for autoworkers in Mexico.

Forrest Parker (Union Sportsman Association) / Jim Griffy (IBEW Local 1141)

Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) Director of Conservation and Communications Forrest Parker joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the organization’s conservation efforts, USA’s mission to connect union members through a love of the outdoors and the economic impact sportsmen and sportswomen have on local economies.

 

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1141 Business Agent Jim Griffy appeared on AWF Union Podcast and explained how labor leaders navigate political policies in the So-Called “Right to Work” state of Oklahoma and how upcoming wind and solar projects will impact his Local. 

Tim Burga (Ohio AFL-CIO) / Chad Mills (Kentucky State Building & Construction Trades Council)

Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed a recent federal court decision to use Ohio redistricting maps for an upcoming primary that were declared unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court.

 

Chad Mills, State Director of the Kentucky State Building and Construction Trades Council and Business Manager of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 633, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and explained how union construction workers will build the $5.8 billion Ford battery plant campus in Kentucky.  

Doug Schroeder (BAC Local 1) / Chris Schmidt (Alphabet Workers Union)

Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 President and Secretary-Treasurer Doug Schroeder joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed pending legislation in Minnesota that would lower quality standards on construction, particularly in bricklaying, if passed. He also talked about the challenges of organizing in the So-Called “Right to Work” states of North and South Dakota, and how his Local managed to protect its pension during the 2008 economic downturn. 

 

Chris Schmidt, a Google Software Engineer and an Organizer with the Alphabet Workers Union, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about the formation of the solidarity union to advocate for the rights of Google workers.

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 Intel’s $20 billion semiconductor plant project. He also discussed the need to recruit new members, provided thoughts on Ohio’s state legislative district maps and gave an update on the campaign of Kelly Harrop, Communications and Outreach Director for the C/COBCTC, who is running for a House seat in Ohio’s Third District.  

 

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed the upcoming AFL-CIO convention, where he and President Liz Shuler are running for full-term seats. He also talked about the AFL-CIO’s position on gun reform.