America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Geraldine Bender (AFT-Mississippi) / Joyce Goldstein (Labor Lawyer)

American Federation of Teachers Mississippi (AFT-MS) President Geraldine Bender joined the America’s Work Force Union podcast and discussed the struggle to raise teacher pay in Mississippi amidst an ongoing teacher shortage across the state. 

 

Labor Lawyer Joyce Goldstein was today’s second guest and addressed a memo by Jennifer Abruzzo, National Labor Relations Board General Counsel, who stated captive audience meetings should be considered illegal. She also discussed the recent successful vote to unionize at an Amazon Fulfillment Center in Staten Island and what she expects to happen next in this ongoing battle. 

Vince DiDonato (Iron Workers International) / Senator Sherrod Brown

Iron Workers International District Representative Vince DiDonato joined the America’s Work Force Union podcast and discussed efforts by workers in Illinois to unionize, and how their effort could lead to the reinstatement of a 1949 NLRB decision that can benefit Union organizing nationwide. 

 

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) was today’s second guest. He explained why he thinks there is more excitement about unions today than at any other time in his lifetime. He also voiced support for workers striking against Sherwin Williams and discussed proposed legislation.

Kelly Dickey (NPMHU Local 322) / Shaun Richman (In These Times)

Shaun Richman, contributor to In These Times magazine, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the successful vote by workers at a Staten Island Amazon Fulfillment Center to unionize and how it may change the labor movement.

 

National Postal Mail Handlers Union Local 322 President Kelly Dickey was today’s second guest. She explained how the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 will create a brighter economic future for the U.S. Postal Service.

Tim Burga (Ohio AFL-CIO) / Cynthia Phinney (Maine AFL-CIO)

Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and explained why Ohio’s redistricting mess will force the state to hold two Primary Elections,  costing taxpayers an additional $30 million.         

 

Maine AFL-CIO President Cynthia Phinney was today’s second podcast guest and she talked about the creation of the Maine Labor Climate Council, the Maine Fair Trade Campaign and two union organizing drives.

Herb Harton (Southeastern North Carolina Central Labor Council) / Scott Heric (Unionly)

Southeastern North Carolina Central Labor Council President Herb Harton joined the America’s Work Force Union podcast and discussed how unions offer a solution to what he described as the nation’s “runaway inequality,” by providing workers a pathway to the middle class.

 

Scott Heric was today’s second guest and spoke about his company, Unionly, and how it helps unions by providing them a safe digital platform for dues collection and other payments. 

Dorsey Hager (Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council) / Fred Redmond (AFL-CIO)

Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dorsey Hager joined the America’s Work Force Union podcast and discussed what the $20 billion Intel project will mean for Ohio’s building trades. He also talked about the need to expand the Building Futures and Driving Futures programs due to the need to staff all the work currently going on in the central Ohio region. 

 

The second guest on today’s podcast was AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond, who talked about the one year anniversary of the Warrior Met Coal strike and the confirmation hearings of U.S. Supreme Court Justice nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. 

Glenn Marek (LiUNA Local 157) / Charlie Flemming (AFL-CIO)

LiUNA Local 157 President and Assistant Business Manager Glenn Marek joined the America’s Work Force Union podcast and discussed how renewable energy projects and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act are creating a “Golden Age” for construction workers in the upstate New York area. 

 

Georgia AFL-CIO Business Manager Charlie Flemming also appeared on today’s episode and talked about the changing political landscape of Georgia and how it has positively affected the organized labor movement.

Matthew R. Gonzales (Liuna Local 1095) / Brian McMurry (IBEW Local 903)

LiUNA Local 1095 Business Manager Matt Gonzales joined the America’s Work Force Union podcast and discussed the Build Better Program and how it positively affects contractors and creates union jobs in the City of Austin. 

 

IBEW local 903 Business Manager Brian McMurry was the second guest on today’s show and he talked about one advantage of organizing non-union members in Mississippi, a So-Called “Right to Work” state. He also discussed the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program, and why the program is critical to meet the demands of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Phillip Glover (AFGE district 3) / Bob Funk (LaborLab.us)

LaborLab Secretary-Treasurer Bob Funk joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the organization’s efforts to create the largest and most comprehensive union-busting tracking system. 

 

Phillip Glover, District 3 National Vice President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) was today’s second guest, and he explained how the Mission Act has negatively impacted VA healthcare and has left some veterans in the cold.

Corey Campbell (LiUNA LOCAL 81) / Greg Regan (TTD)

LiUNA LOCAL 81 Vice-President and Field Representative Corey Campbell joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed efforts to expand the Local’s apprenticeship programs due to expected job creation from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 

 

AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department President Greg Regan also appeared on the show  and spoke about the big wins regarding federal transportation policy. Additionally, he discussed the IIJA and the Transit Worker and Pedestrian Protection Act.