Talkin' Trades

Jeff Rogers, Director of the Mechanical Trades Institute, and Andy Sumpter from the Mechanical Contractors Association join "Talkin' Trades" to discuss the upcoming event called "The Apprenticeship Experience" on March 18th, 2022 for High School Teachers, Administrators, and Counselors at the Mechanical Training Institute in Atlanta. School faculty and administration may not know all the lucrative career opportunities that exist in the mechanical trades and this event will give them inside look at the school, the training facilities, and access to the faculty to see all the opportunities for students who will be graduation soon. Not only will they see all the excellent training and equipment available and talk to staff, they will be able to see for themselves what career opportunities are available for their students. It's a hands-on event that is available to any Educators who are interested educating their students about our program. The Apprenticeship Experience Friday, March 18th, 2022 9AM-12N 6120 Purdue Drive SW Atlanta GA 30336 Register/RSVP at www.mti-jatt.org

Construction sites can sometimes be a tough place to be as a person of faith. From topical situations like salty language, questionable behavior, and ethics violations, to more severe issues like anxiety and depression, grief, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, suicide and other issues that come up, not just on the jobsite, but in many areas of life. Brother Steven Bell, Pastor of Way of the Cross Baptist Church in McDonough, GA joins Talkin' Trades to talk about the role of faith on the jobsite, among peers on the jobs, and living out ones faith while on the job. Brother Steven came up through the trades as an IUEC Elevator Operator and knows this all to well. Today he shares his story with us in a compelling episode of Talkin' Trades. If you need help or want to talk, you can reach Steven at: http://www.wotcmcdonough.org/Address: 1640 Mt Carmel Rd, McDonough, GA 30253 Phone: (770) 305-9047 04:57 - How do you deal with language and actions that are in direct conflict with your faith on the jobsite? 11:44 - How receptive are employers to people of faith on the job? 17:20 - Brother Steven shares his story and his walk 21:10 - How he dealt with tragedy 22:35 - Tools to deal with tragedy 27:43 - Dealing with the stress of COVID, guilt of the survivors, etc. 29:57 - How do you comfort someone you work with who has experienced a tragedy? 33:47 - Is there any difference in how you would talk to someone who has experienced a tragedy of their own making vs. a tragedy outside of their control? 36:49 - How do you take that first step in self-help and who do you reach out to? 40:45 - What do you do when someone confides in a problem that you're not equipped to deal with (such as suicidal thoughts, domestic issues)? 44:10 - Are there online resources to help if you're not ready to talk to someone about something that is going on in your life?

Attorney Bruce Carraway joins Talkin' Trades to talk about what to do in case you are hurt on the job, and what your options are as a tradesperson. When should you report an injury, What are your options, when (and when not) to contact an attorney. How to stay in good graces with your employer while taking care of yourself and your family. What rights you have as an employee, as a union member, and more. Great discussion 01:36 - What is the first thing you should do when you are injured on the job. 03:28 - What the insurance company knows and how they use it against you 04:33 - How long you have to report your injury 06:39 - How long can they "starve you out" 8:46 - When (and when not) to hire an attorney 11:05 - Can an attorney help you negotiate for lost wages? 12:50 - How does working overtime factor in to the liability of being injured on the job? 14:17 - What happens if you lose your ability moving forward to perform the skill you were trained to do? 17:02 - Any obligations to find the current employer to find you suitable employment? 19:36 - When do you need to contact an attorney after you're injured? 21:14 - What about supplemental insurance products like income replacement policies?

Georgia Public Service Commissioner and Vice-Chairman Tim Echols joins Talkin' Trades from Georgia Construction Careers. Hosts Rut Walker from Union Up and Randy Beall from Atlanta North Georgia Building Trades Council talk to Commissioner Echols about the future of Georgia's energy needs, Labor's role in that future, and the economic impact that decisions made in Georgia's energy sector will have on the families who make their living in the construction trades. We talk about Plant Vogtle, Plant Bowen, nuclear energy, alternative energy, electric vehicles and more in an excellent and informative podcast.

Talkin' Trades welcomes John Perez, President and CEO of Union Auto Program. UAP is a company specifically trade union members to be purchase a vehicle with special pricing and benefits that are only available to our union brothers and sisters. John talks about the process, what UAP is all about, how members can take advantage of it, and the steps to be on your way to a better way to buy a car.

Comfortable retirement with plenty of money to do what you want with your life for years after you retire is one of the reasons why tradespeople join a union. But are you prepared? How important is retirement planning for someone in the union trades? How much should a journeyman save for retirement? When should you begin saving as a young journeyman, or even as an apprentice, without compromising the cash flow you need to live your life? Should you have long term care insurance as a tradesperson? How many ways can you draw social security (the number will shock you!) and when are you eligible to do so? How do you manage debt as you move toward retirement? Larry Boggs from American Retirement Solutions works exclusively with union crafts and he joins the "Talkin' Trades" podcast to discuss these questions and more. It's well worth the 17 minutes. You can reach Larry at 404-234-6950 or Larry@arsga.me

Randy Beall, Business Manager for the Atlanta North Georgia Building Trades Council and 33-year veteran sheet metal union member, joins Talkin' Trades to discuss the role of ANGBTC in the community, in promoting business opportunities in the trades, and political issues facing the union trades on Capitol Hill. Having recently met with Governor Kemp's staff, Randy shares insights on issues facing local unions and how he and his staff advocate for unions and working families in Atlanta and North Georgia. We also discuss the new upcoming project called "The Gulch" in Atlanta, the idea of casino gambling in Georgia, the local skilled trades unions role in building the new Teamsters building as a 100% union job, the Georgia Building Trades Academy Youth Build Program and more.

Georgia Construction Careers' Talkin' Trades Podcast Episode 1 welcomes Terry Newsome, Jr., Business Manager for United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, & HVACR Service Technicians Local 72. Hosts Randy Beall of Georgia Construction Careers and Rut Walker from Union up discuss the opportunities for service technicians and plumbers particularly in a red-hot 2021 construction market in Georgia. Terry talks about the advantages in being a UA member, the pension and benefits, type of work, how to get into the apprenticeship program, training opportunities, and more.