On the broadcast today we had Andrew Tinkham, with the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel(OCC), and he talked about several topics including the PUCO investigation of Verde Energy and Holiday Energy Efficient lighting! Our second guest was Kevin Kennedy, Mayor of North Olmsted, and he talked about their agreement with the Cleveland Water Department!
On today’s broadcast we had Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer for the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, and he talked about several topics including Work updates around Columbus, Rob Dorans Election to Columbus City Council, and the Health Care Summit! Our second guest was US Congressman Andy Levin, and he talked about the PRO Act and Organizing!
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.
Megenhardt discussed how the ULA helps those who are in rehab for an opiod addiction complete their treatment and get back into the workforce. He said that one of the most difficult things for people to do after they complete rehab is to get back on their feet and find a job so they can support themselves. The ULA provides people with the skills needed to meet qualifications for jobs and once establishing their stronger skills, finding a job that will best suite them. Megenhardt said the ULA will also help those who have completed their rehab stay sober and work with them to make sure they maintain their jobs.
Jackson Potter with In These Times Magazine spoke with America’s Work Force about the school system in Chicago. He discussed the underfunding of their schools and how the conditions are not ideal for the students or teachers. Being a former educator in a Chicago school, Potter talked about how the teachers are fighting for better classroom conditions, resources and class sizes, among many other things, to ensure that the children are able to receive the best education they deserve.
AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc spoke about Harvard graduate students in the student union being on strike until they can reach an agreement on a better contract with their school.
Tim Burga, president of the Ohio AFL-CIO joined America’s Work Force on Dec. 3 to discuss the Ohio House Bill 6 and the referendum on it.
Burga explained House Bill 6, also known as the nuclear bailout bill, has different groups of people pushing for a statewide referendum on the recent decision to overturn the bill. The Ohio AFL-CIO, however, is on the anti-referendum side of the argument and Burga explains why he wants to keep the bill. Burga also talked about how more and more union members are getting involved in their local politics, with over 50 union members running for different offices in Ohio alone. Burga ended his interview by briefly discussing the new NAFTA needs to include enforceable action to be able to take against people who break the labor laws that were included in the document.
Jon Reiss, executive director of the Cuyahoga County Veterans Service Commission talked about the organizations new Winter Clothing Program and how it aims to help keep veterans warm during the upcoming winter season. He also discusses the hearing and vision programs that they offer to assist with any hearing aids or glasses needs for veterans who are not covered.
Greg Kozera, marketing director for Shale Crescent USA spoke to AWF about natural gas and fracking. He explains how their company is located in an area with an abundance of natural gas in their surrounding states and their methods of getting the gas are more clean and efficient than competing companies. Kozera also explains why natural gas is advantageous for consumers.
AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc spoke about Amazon workers risk of injury increasing during the holiday shopping season because of outrageous fulfillment order quotas.
Sue McConnell, president of the Cleveland Better Business Bureau spoke with America’s Work Force on Dec. 2 to inform listeners of scams to be on the lookout for during this holiday season.
McConnell discussed a Cleveland based furniture company recently receiving complaints against them for sending customers damaged goods, if received at all, and making it nearly impossible for the customer to exchange or return the items bought. The second scam McConnell talked about deals with scam calls about social security numbers. If you are contacted saying that your social security is compromised, do not give up any information they are requesting, and contact the social security administration. Lastly, McConnell said to be cautious when holiday shopping online and do your research to make sure the company you are shopping from is legitimate. She mentions that companies overseas do not have the same business regulations as those in the United States and have a higher potential of being a scam than a U.S. company.
Mark Gruenberg, labor writer for Press Associates Union discussed the National Labor Relations Board rewriting and revising certain issues. He said that some issues they are revising involve unions and unionizing and how they are making it more difficult for a union representative to organize at a workplace and for unions to become recertified. Gruenberg expressed concern about how the NLRB is reversing old decisions and are fighting to make their new laws permanent, which could be hurtful in the future if someone may want to revisit and revise it.
AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc spoke about the caterers at Sky Chef fighting for better contracts including better wages, benefits and working conditions in the airports that they are located in.
John Kearney, CEO of Advanced Training Systems spoke with America’s Work Force on Nov. 18 about his company and the training that they provide.
Advanced Training Systems offers training in trucking using virtual simulators to train drivers how to behave in the different scenarios they may find themselves in while driving. He said the purpose of his training is to develop the most well behaved and trained drivers to put on the road for trucking companies to reduce the amount of accidents and deaths caused by negligent truck drivers. Here is what you can expect during the simulation; various weather conditions, animals running into the road, and “driving” while other cars are present. These simulations are made so you can learn how to react properly and safely during an unexpected distraction while on the road. Kearney also talked about marketing to millennials, in hopes of attracting more to a career in trucking in order to fill the need for more drivers.
Mike Polensek , City Council member for the city of Cleveland discussed getting more people involved in vocational education and the trades. Polensek described that there is a huge need for more workers in the trades and that a job in the trades is a viable career path for somebody who is not sure if they want to attend college. Polensek addressed the stigma of trade school and work in the trades and showed that you do not need a college education in order to get a good job. Lastly, Polensek touched on Sherwin Williams and whether or not he believes they will stay in Cleveland, or choose to relocate elsewhere.
AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc spoke about nurses and how the dangers that they may face from patients on the job.
Josh Nassar, legislative director for the United Auto Workers spoke with America’s Work Force on Nov. 14 about the United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement (USMCA), the new NAFTA.
Nassar first spoke about the General Motors UAW members who were on strike for a better contract, finally reached an agreement on a tentative contract last week. The USMCA, now known as NAFTA, still needs improvements to be made to the agreement. Nassar believes that they need to include stronger labor laws that are enforceable to protect workers and punish those who try to break the laws. Nassar ended his interview on AWF by discussing the impeachment hearings against President Trump.
Wendy Patton, senior project director for the State Fiscal Project with Policy Matters Ohio joined AWF to speak out on the 2021 Ohio state budget. She expressed concerns about the lack of funding and investment into students and schools. Patton said that Ohio is falling behind on investing in their school systems and has not been adjusting their investments to the cost of inflation so the schools are missing out on potential funding. Wrapping up her interview, Patton talked about the lack of funding in Ohio’s public transit system.
A special guest stopped by AWF, Senator Sherrod Brown, as he discussed federal contract employees and how they were hurt by the government shutdown earlier this year. As a result of the shutdown, Ohio had a repayment plan set in place to make up for their lost wages, but it was turned down by Mitch McConnell, Kentucky senator.
AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc spoke about a McDonald’s CEO being fired for having an inappropriate relationship with and employee and another McDonald’s employee filing a sexual harassment claim.
Dr. Jill Stein, two-time presidential candidate for the Green Party spoke with America’s Work Force on Nov. 13 about what ranked-choice voting is and how it works.
Dr. Stein first spoke about medicare for all and how it has been gaining traction among Americans over the last few years. She addressed the tired reasons republican lawmakers use to denounce medicare for all and offered up solutions to counter their arguments. Dr. Stein then talked about ranked-choice voting. Ranked-choice voting is where a person ranks their preferred candidates highest to lowest, or just one candidate if that is their only choice. She said this makes it so votes never go to waste and a person could really express their vote in the best way possible. Lastly, Dr. Stein talked about the Green New Deal and how if this method passes, it will help revive the economy, create good quality, high paying union jobs, and help improve climate conditions.
Tom Germuska, Jr., editor of the Cleveland Labor Citizen spoke about the November edition of the Labor Citizen publication. He talked about how Internationally Recognized Apprenticeship (IRAPs) lack oversight on their regulations and standards when it comes to safety and training and how it does not hold up to the quality of training union apprenticeships offer. He also talked about National Apprenticeship Week approaching and how this edition of the Labor Citizen has a 12-page apprenticeship directory of all training centers in the Cleveland area in hopes it inspires people to reach out and learn more about the programs.
AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc spoke about the workers for Virginia’s largest transit service going on strike for better wages, and safer working conditions.
Mike Haynie, founder of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) spoke with America’s Work Force on Nov. 5 about his organization and what they do.
Haynie talked about veterans and their reintegration into society and civilian life after they leave the military. He said that when someone retires from the military, they struggle to find a job and readapt to civilian lifestyle because they have been out of touch for however many years they were in the service. Haynie said that the IVMF works to teach these veterans skills and offers vocational training to help make the job search process easier for them. The program gives these veterans the training to earn labor market certification credentials so employers can know that they are well trained and their work will be able to meet their standards. Lastly, Haynie said that this organization has corporate partners such as Walmart and Starbucks that help provide funding to the institute.
Tim Burga, president of the Ohio AFL-CIO spoke about union brothers and sisters running for local offices during the upcoming election. He said that if they want something done about labor rights and issues, then they will run so they can speak for themselves. Burga said that there are 51 union brothers and sisters endorsed for this election and he hopes they will be able to shine light on labor issues they are facing and gain some traction in their fight against these issues.
Jon Reiss, executive director of the Cuyahoga County Veteran Services Commission talked about his organization and the support that they offer to veterans. He said that the CCVSC is having their third annual Winter Clothing Program where once a veteran or their dependent go through a screening process, will be provided a gift card to one of three clothing retailers to purchase jackets or other necessities for the winter months. Reiss also talked about the CCVSC financial assistance program and how they help veterans who are struggling financially and also help them work towards financial independence and stability.
AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc spoke about Ford Motors and the United Auto Workers reached a tentative agreement with a contract and Ford’s plans to invest $900 million into Ford plants in Ohio.
Amy Hanauer, executive director of Policy Matters Ohio spoke with America’s Work Force on Oct. 10 about race inequality in the midwest with economic opportunity.
Hanauer first talked about racism and how in certain areas it shapes a person’s wealth, income and economic opportunity. She talked about how minorities face wage discrimination and wage theft more often that non people of color do. Hanauer then discussed certain policies in midwest states that prevent African-Americans from earning good wages and block the building of healthy communities. Lastly, she talked about how to address and counteract structural racism and accrued disadvantages in certain communities. Hanauer said that policymakers need to make the push to improve conditions of communities and schools by putting more money into them and maintain consistent funding to underserved areas.
Desiree Hoffman, international representative for the United Auto Workers spoke with AWF on Oct. 10 about economic security and job security in the United States. She talked about how Unions offer workers economic security by ensuring that they are being paid a livable wage and their wages are not being stolen by their employers. She also talked about how collective bargaining agreements are essential for workers to be able to voice conditions of employment such as wages and safety concerns.
AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc spoke about United States billionaires paying a lower tax rate than the working class in 2018.