Andrew Tinkham, Senior Outreach and Education Program Specialist with the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC), spoke with America’s Work Force on Nov. 11 about a utility marketing company scamming utility users.
Tinkham talked about Verde Energy USA and the investigations into their company involving them scamming utility users. He said that Verde spoofed caller IDs of legitimate utility companies, leading people to pay more for their energy services and sign up for bad contracts. Tinkham also talked about utility services for military members on deployment and extended payment plans for them. Lastly, he discussed ways to save money on utilities around your house during the upcoming winter months.
Will Attig, executive director of the Union Veterans Council spoke about helping veterans get back on their feet once they come home from deployment. Soldiers typically struggle to find jobs when they return home from deployment because they don’t have experience, but overlook their options in the trades. Attig talked about the career opportunities for veterans in the trades and how it could bring the person’s drive back into their life. He also discussed post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental challenges veterans face when they return home.
AWF host Ed “Flash” Ferenc expressed his gratitude for veterans and their service to this country today on Veteran’s Day.
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.
Cofer first talked about how there is a misinterpretation that vape products are a safe alternative to cigarettes. It has been found that tobacco and e-cigarettes are related to cancer. Cofer said one of the major problems with vape is that they are still new to the market and have not been regulated by the FDA like cigarettes, so there are still certain vape products that have more nicotine in them and other aspects that could lead to cancer than the regular cigarette would. Another danger of vaping is they are attractive to underage kids with appealing flavors, such as mango, and other fruity flavors.
Vance began his time with AWF explaining what the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance is all about. He said that they work to preserve and improve America’s park infrastructure, such as docks, boat piers, park benches, picnic tables and park bathrooms. Vance said that there is a 14 billion dollar backlog to improve America’s parks and they are in desperate need of improvements. One of the major reasons they do what they do is to allow children and families to have access to a safe, clean and pleasant recreation area outside and have people experience the outdoors rather than avoiding it. The organization is currently working in underprivileged and underfunded areas right now to give kids the chance at a recreational area they had never really had the chance to experience before. Lastly, he talked about how they work to preserve outdoor heritage by providing firearm safety lessons, and expose kids to fishing and hunting.
Taylor spent his time on AWF explaining the many reasons why there is high employee turnover in certain workplaces. One reason why he said people leave their jobs is because they dislike their bosses. Taylor said that the possible reasons why people dislike their bosses are because they feel undervalued, disliked by their boss, they are not inspired in their workplace and they feel their bosses are not great leaders. Another possible cause of worker dissatisfaction is the skill gap between workers. He said that some employees become upset because they were not adequately trained for their job and are falling behind their coworkers with the quality of their work. Finally, Taylor talked about boosting workplace morale and having a code of ethics for managers to follow.
Greenhouse’s new book titled “Beaten Down, Worked Up” was the main focus of his conversation. He said that his book offers some insight into the challenges that men and women in the workforce face and what they can do to regain some power. Greenhouse talked about lawmakers rolling back regulations for worker protection standards, putting workers safety at risk. He also talked about how unions and collective bargaining allows workers to be able to fight for their own protection, shifting power back to the workers. Lastly, Greenhouse spoke about the United Auto Workers on strike at General Motors factories across the country.
Larry Willis, president of the Transportation Trades Department spoke to AWF on Sept. 23 about worker safety and the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA). He talked about worker protections, or lack thereof, included in the USMCA and why he does not want it to pass until more is included in it. Willis also discussed foreign repair stations and why they are a danger to workers.
Frank Mathews, Communication Workers of America, District 4 administrative director spoke with America’s Work Force on Sept. 10 about the AT&T tax scam. He talked about AT&T breaking their promise to create more jobs with the profits that were made after their tax break, and instead of creating jobs, they offshored them. Mathews did say that employees did see an increase in their wages, however, it was only two cents an hour. Again, he stressed how this is nowhere near what was promised and the workers feel cheated.
Cimperman, former city councilman of 18 years for Cleveland and now president of Global Cleveland explained what Welcoming Week is all about. He said that everyone easily overlooks all the contributions immigrants have made to our country, cities, our art and our cultures. Cimperman first addressed that America welcomes everyone, especially those looking for a better life because that is what being an American is all about, and reminds everyone that they only got to America because of their immigrant ancestors. He then explained that Welcoming Week highlights, exhibits, and applauds various contributions that were made by immigrants and to show different companies and how they are global-friendly employers. Cimperman said that Welcoming Week shows unity between everyone and that we are all here for the same reason; to make the best life we can for ourselves.
LeRoy spoke about promoting the economy and economic development by investing more into cities and creating more jobs with improvements in infrastructure and other construction projects. He also talked about class action lawsuits with companies involving deferred wages, garnished wages and other issues with pay and benefits. LeRoy discussed the battle between states to win the bid to have Amazon’s HQ2 in their state. Adding on to his comment earlier about promoting the economy, he said that if a state won the bid for HQ2, jobs would be created and the economy in the area of HQ2 would be stimulated.
AWF next guest was David King, assistant public defender at the Cuyahoga County Public Defender’s Office who discussed what can and cannot be expunged from a person’s record. After being convicted of a felony, it is difficult for a person to find a job again because of what they have on their record, but King works to expunge certain things from a person’s record in hopes to help get them a job again. He said that felonies in the first and second degree cannot be expunged, and neither can sex crimes or traffic tickets. He said that there is a full list of non-expungeable felonies located on their website or in their office.