Frank Mathews, administrative director for Communication Workers of America District 4 spoke with America’s Work Force on May 14 to discuss problems involving AT&T breaking promises on creating more jobs.

Mathews discussed AT&T asking for a tax break that they would create more jobs in return. After receiving a $21 billion tax break, AT&T eliminated 20,000 jobs, even offshoring certain call center jobs. Mathews said that AT&T claimed that they had created 3,000 jobs, but that was after eliminating over 20,000, so they are still down thousands of jobs. With the tax breaks, AT&T CEOs have been giving themselves bonuses, as well as other benefits. He then went on to talk about the Protect the Right to Organize (PRO) act and how it will strengthen worker rights. A big problem right now is workers being misclassified, which is causing them to lose benefits, worse wages, and have less job security.

Rich Jordan, business manager for the Ironworkers Local 17 spoke about apprenticeships and getting more people involved in the trades. He spoke about the benefits of an apprenticeship with Local 17, such as free training, earn-while-you-learn pay model, good benefits, and job security. Jordan said that currently, there are 250 apprentices in their program, but they are always trying to recruit more. Ironworkers Local 17 accepts apprenticeship applications in their office every Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to noon.

AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc discussed President Trump imposing more tariffs on items such as batteries, spinach, and coffee.

America’s Work Force is the only daily labor-radio program in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America’s workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues.

AMERICA’S WORK FORCE RADIO IS BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY OUR SPONSORS AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS, BMA MEDIA GROUP, COLUMBUS-CENTRAL OHIO BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL, CUYAHOGA COUNTY VETERAN SERVICE COMMISSION, COMMUNICATION WORKERS OF AMERICA, DAN DEVERNA, INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS AND AEROSPACE WORKERS, INTERNATIONAL UNION OF PAINTERS AND ALLIED TRADES DISTRICT COUNCIL 6, LABOR CITIZEN MAGAZINE LABORERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA, OHIO FEDERATION OF TEACHERS-AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, UNITED AUTO WORKERS, UCOMM BLOG, UNITED STEELWORKERS.