America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Jimmy Hart (Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO) / Tony Delorio (Teamsters local 665)

AFL-CIO Metal Trades Department President Jimmy Hart joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and provided an update on the proposed Bartlett Maritime Plan to build a Navy submarine repair facility in Lorain, Ohio. 

 

Teamsters Local 665 Secretary-Treasurer Tony Delorio appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed his Local’s efforts to organize workers at Amy’s Kitchen and the deplorable conditions of their work environment. He also talked about a successful vote to organize  American Automobile Association commission sales agents.

Leonard Aguilar (Texas AFL-CIO) / Joe Fowler (Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council)

Leonard Aguilar, Secretary Treasurer  of the Texas AFL-CIO and Executive Director of the Texas Building and Construction Trades Council, joined the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about how the Texas AFL-CIO responded to the tragic elementary school shooting and ways to help the Uvalde community. 

 

Joe Fowler, President of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council and Business Manager of LiUNA Local 563, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed the need to mine critical minerals and rare earth domestically, the potential for Minnesota to become the nation’s major battery producer, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the need to grow registered apprenticeship programs.

Erin Bates (United Mine Workers of America) / Jimmy Ascione (Delaware Building Trades)

Erin Bates, Communication Director of the United Mine Workers of America, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, and discussed a Collective Bargaining Agreement signed by the UMWA and Sparkz to staff - large scale battery factory being built in West Virginia. She also gave an update on the Warrior Met coal strike and discussed the upcoming UMWA Convention. 

 

Jimmy Ascione, Secretary-Treasurer of the Delaware Building and Construction Trades Council, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about recently passed legislation that requires union labor for Prevailing Wage projects within the state that are over $3 million. He also discussed the challenges of enforcing Prevailing Wage laws and worker misclassification.

Will Attig (AFL-CIO Union Veterans Council) / Anthony McCray (AFGE)

Will Attig, Executive Director of the AFL-CIO Union Veterans Council (UVC), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the importance and meaning of Memorial Day and the importance of veteran career training programs.

 

Anthony McCray, National Representative with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National Veterans Affairs Council (NVAC), appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about how the Biden Administration has improved morale at the VA. He also talked about how the NVAC advocates for VA workers and helps veterans get the care they need.

Mike Polkki (USW) / Wade Rathke (Working Class Perspectives)

Wade Rathke, Chief Organizer for ACORN International and a contributing writer for Working Class Perspectives, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about a blog he recently published about why this is a unique time in labor history that workers should use to their advantage. He also discussed the potential of the NLRB to make captive audience meetings illegal and the successful Amazon Labor Union win.

 

Mike Polkki, District 1 Training Coordinator for the United Steelworkers (USW), appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed low-cost OSHA safety training offered by the USW and the how the tragic death of USW member Kevin Wilson led to an initiative that sponsors the training.    

Bill Samuel (AFL-CIO) / Terry Newsome Jr (UA Local 72)

Bill Samuel, Government Affairs Director for the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed President Joe Biden’s efforts to increase funding for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Innovation Act and President Biden’s efforts to amend certain tariffs.

 

UA Local Union 72 Business Manager Terry Newsome Jr. appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about the excellent work opportunities for union members in Georgia due to the state’s construction boom, along with efforts to grow the Local’s apprenticeship program and expand the Local through organizing.

Pete Ielmini (LMCT) / Jesse Case ( Teamsters)

Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT) Executive Director Pete Ielmini joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed efforts to address construction worker suicide and what can be done to help buliding trades members struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues. He also spoke about potential legislation to incentivize mechanical insulation energy audits. 

 

Teamsters Local 238 Secretary-Treasurer Jesse Case appeared on the AWF Union podcast and talked about successful efforts to organize the campaign staff of President Joe Biden and other prominent Democrats in 2020.

Frank DeRiso (UFCW Local 1) / Tom Buffenbarger (Independent Labor Voice)

United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1 President Frank DeRiso joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the mass shooting in Buffalo, how it affected Local 1 members who work at the store where the shooting took place and how people can donate to a fund to support the union members affected by the tragedy.
  

Tom Buffenbarger, an Independent Labor Voice appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about the rail worker shortage and how it has impacted the supply chain crisis. He also spoke about recent union contract wins at Hawaiian Airlines and Pratt & Whitney.

Greg Regan (Transportation Trades Department) / Carl Rosen (UE)

United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America (UE) General President Carl Rosen joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about how the Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee helped non-union workers organize during the pandemic. He also talked about the 2008 Republic Windows and Doors sit-down strike.   

 

AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department President Greg Regan joined the AWF Union Podcast and talked about how BNSF Railway’s oppressive attendance policy impacts workers and could further hinder the supply chain crisis in America. He also discussed recent research from Carnegie Mellon University and the importance of the U.S. Merchant Marine.

Jeff Stoffer (American Legion) / Rich Fiesta (Alliance for Retired Americans)

Jeff Stoffer, Media and Communications Director for The American Legion, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the upcoming June issue of the American Legion magazine. He talked about the likelihood of the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act progressing to the U.S. Senate floor for a vote and several other articles within the magazine. 

 

The Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Director Richard Fiesta joined the AWF Podcast and talked about a plan by U.S. Sen Rick Scott (R-Fla.) to sunset Medicare and Social Security and recognized  Older Americans month, which is celebrated in May.