Darryll Bell, President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 31, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how federal government employees are faring under the Biden Administration, particularly when it comes to labor negotiations.
Bell also discussed the long hiring process at Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals and why more workers are needed to ensure high quality care for veterans. Continue reading
Last month, a judge declared the Florida governor’s ban on mask mandates in schools to be unconstitutional. Last Friday, a Florida appeals court ruled in favor of Governor Ron DeSantis — effectively reinstating the ban mask mandate.
DeSantis has threatened to take away millions in state funding from schools that enforce mask mandates. So far, he has only rescinded salaries for board members of two counties that have instituted mask mandates — Alachua and Broward counties.
Anna Fusco, President of the Broward Teachers Union, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss why her school instituted mask requirements in the face of the governor’s ban, and how her union is working to keep students and staff healthy and safe in the midst of the pandemic. Continue reading
Frank Mathews, Administrative Director of Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 4, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a number of life altering pieces of legislation and how Congress’ actions could benefit working families for decades to come.
He also discussed the CWA’s awarding of the Red Boxing Glove award, the Union’s highest legislative award, to Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) and Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.) in honor of their fight for working families. Continue reading
Tom Germuska Jr., Editor of The Labor Citizen, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the possibility of vaccine mandates and why they may eventually become inevitable.
He also discussed a $435 million deal between the Cleveland Indians, the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and the state of Ohio to renovate Progressive Field and extend the team’s lease in Cleveland for at least 15 years.
Lastly, he discussed a study that showed partnerships between the pharmaceutical industry and craft unions yielded $23.6 billion in major construction projects over six years. Continue reading
After more than a decade of fighting to secure a negotiated union contract, Comcast technicians in Fairhaven, Mass. signed an agreement in February between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2322 and the cable conglomerate.
Eric Hetrick, Business Manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2322, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Union’s protracted fight to secure rights, decent wages and benefits for Comcast workers.
He also discussed the company’s anti-union efforts and how the PRO Act would secure regulations to help unions in similar struggles. Continue reading
For the majority of truckers on the road, the time spent waiting in port or for goods to be offloaded is unpaid. This practice robs truckers of a considerable portion of their wages.
Billy Randel, Chief Organizer for the Truckers Movement for Justice, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss why truckers need to unionize to secure better wages and how the Truckers Movement for Justice advocates for truckers rights and higher pay. Continue reading
The $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill recently passed by the U.S. Senate is now before the U.S. House of Representatives. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi vowed to put the bill to a vote by the end of the month, and the clock is ticking. By Sept. 30, funding for the federal transfer of dollars to the states for infrastructure maintenance expires.
Michael Johnson, President of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss why it is essential for Congress to pass the infrastructure bill and not get bogged down in politics. Continue reading
A labor official found Amazon’s anti-union tactics sullied last spring’s election to unionize at a Bessemer Ala. facility. The official recommended nullifying the result and called for a revote.
Joyce Goldstein, a Labor and Employee Benefits Lawyer who founded the firm Joyce Goldstein & Associates, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Amazon vote and why she thinks a revote will be ordered by the National Labor Relations Board (NRLB).
She also discussed a new remedy being considered by the NLRB to expand consequential damages for unfair labor practices beyond lost wages. Continue reading
The 20-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks can be a time for reflection, honor and memory.
Thomas Hart, a Business Agent and President of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 94, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his memories of being in New York City on that fateful day, his search for four union Brothers who ultimately perished in the disaster and how the Sept. 11 tragedy brought New Yorkers and the country together in a moment of unity. Continue reading
The $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation plan seeks to expand education, health care and childcare support. It addresses the climate crisis and makes further investments in infrastructure not included in the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill recently passed by the U.S. Senate. As a reconciliation bill, it only needs 50 votes for passage in the Senate — bypassing filibuster rules.
Josh Nassar, Legislative Coordinator for the United Auto Workers (UAW), joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss what the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill means for workers, how it would be funded and why its investment is critical to the U.S. electric vehicle market. Continue reading