Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dorsey Hager discussed construction amidst the pandemic, pre-apprenticeship programs and more on the Aug. 7 episode of America’s Work Force Radio Podcast. Continue reading
Press Associates Union News Editor Mark Gruenberg discussed the impacts for the working class if the HEROES Act is not passed when he appeared on America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on Aug. 3. Continue reading
Sharon Johnson of The Progressive spoke with America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on July 31 about the recession brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading
Dave Megenhardt, executive director of the United Labor Agency spoke with America’s Work Force on Dec. 4 about a rehab assistance program with his agency. Continue reading
Lew Jennings, author of 19 Minutes to Live – Helicopter Combat in Vietnam, spoke with America’s Work Force on Memorial Day, May 27, about his book and his time served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Continue reading
Sherry Linkon, writer for Working Class Perspectives, joined America’s Work Force on May 24 to discuss higher education in America. Continue reading
Bill Samuel, government affairs director with the AFL-CIO, spoke with America’s Work Force on May 23 about the Protect the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. Continue reading
Jeff Kreisler, author of Get Rich Cheating: The Crooked Path to Easy Street, spoke with America’s Work Force on May 15 to discuss people who try to cheat their way through life without worrying about repercussions.
Kreisler spoke about the college admissions scandal where wealthy individuals had paid extra money to admissions offices to ensure that their children would receive admittance into a university, even if there were more qualified candidates. He then talked about how even though it is illegal, people would think that it is “OK” because they are giving extra money to a university, so their needs should be met. Adding to that, Kreisler said that America has ethical rules, not an ethical culture. He explained that Americans will know something is wrong, but push the boundaries of laws and rules until they get caught, rather than knowing it is wrong and refraining from acting on their bad impulses.
Ibidun Roberts, National Veterans Affairs Council Supervisory Attorney with the American Federation of Government Employees spoke to AWF on May 15 about the V.A. accountability act. She spoke about lawmakers trying to put legislation in place that would privatize the VA, and would also take away their ability to file grievances if anything were to go wrong. Roberts said that the accountability act would prevent retaliation and prevention for companies to attack workers, or punish them, for wanting to organize.
AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc spoke to AWF about Delta Airlines and their anti-union messages, telling workers that they are better off purchasing new gaming consoles, going to sporting events, or other recreational activity rather than spending their money on union dues.
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.
Terry O’Sullivan, general president of the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), spoke with America’s Work Force on May 13 about infrastructure improvements across the United States.
O’Sullivan spoke about a recent highway bill, passed in 2015, that put $305 billion towards infrastructure improvements and repairs over five years, and how it was not nearly enough money. After President Trump and congress labeled infrastructure improvements a top priority, O’Sullivan would still like to see more action by the president to prove these claims, such as allocating more money for infrastructure. He then addressed re-authorizing the highway bill in 2020 to keep pushing to improve the status of America’s failing infrastructure. O’Sullivan also talked about the need to address climate change and realistic and efficient forms of renewable energy.
Dan Doron, public affairs director with the Ohio Consumers Counsel spoke about First Energy Solutions asking for a bailout or they will be forced to shut down their power plants. If they have to shut down their plants, they claim that it will cost people more money because it will be expensive to have to transition to a different source of power, when in fact in the long run, it would be cheaper for the taxpayer. Doron also talks about utility line warranties and how some utility companies base warranties off of current condition of power lines in the neighborhood, how often they go down, and the environment surrounding the lines. He said that consumers need to do their research before selecting a warranty plan because some warranties do not cover pre-existing issues in the neighborhood.
AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc spoke about the tariffs on aluminum and steel in the United States and how President Trump is saying that they are advantageous for the U.S.