Podcasts about afscme council

This week on Newsmakers: Patrick Crowley, incoming president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, and Michael McDonald, new president of AFSCME Council 94, discuss the future of organized labor in Rhode Island; then, 12 News anchor Kim Kalunian interviews Gov. Dan McKee.

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their literacy instruction program for Ohio parents. She also discussed her visit to the Oyler School and the importance of educating voters. Marquez Brown, Cleveland Regional Director for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Ohio Council 8, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his approach to voter education and the impact that supporting pro-labor candidates could have on the labor movement's future.

Doug Van Beek With a background spanning archaeology and technology, Doug Van Beek now serves as IT Director for AFSCME Council 5 in Minnesota. His diverse experiences inform a unique perspective on work-life balance, unions in tech, and the impact of emerging technologies. Outside of work, Doug teaches pottery classes and previously participated in medieval...

Tyler Holmes, an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with American Medical Response in Bozeman, Mont. (AMR Bozeman), joined the America's Workforce Union Podcast to discuss the successful organizing efforts at the private ambulance company and what led the roughly 40 EMTs at AMR to seek representation from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 9. Stephanie Jackson, a janitor with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the newly ratified contract for commercial janitors in Northeast Ohio. She spoke about the difficult contract negotiations and the importance of having a union help protect the mostly minority workforce.

This hour, we started with Joshalyn Hickey-Johnson, author of "Susie Clark: The Bravest Girl You've Ever Seen", The story of Susan Clark, who at just 13 became the first Black student in the United States to integrate a public school through a court order.Next, a high number of parking and code enforcement officers being verbally and physically harassed on what appears to be a regular basis in Boston. Jim Durkin, legislative and political action director AFSCME Council 93, checked in!Then, Todd Bensman, a Security Policy Expert joined Dan to discuss "Crisis at the Border – On Dueling Visits by Biden and Trump." And Elizabeth Barnes of MDAR joined Dan to talk about National invasive awareness week and how MA Dept. Agricultural Resources is warning residents about the spotted lanternfly and box tree moth

The National Representative for the American Federation of Government Employees National VA Council, Colin Barrett, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the union's new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the VA and the six-year journey to earn the contract. Brian Anderson, Legislative Director for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 4, appeared on the America's Work Force Union Podcast and talked about a deal that not only saved the State of Connecticut millions of dollars, but also saved the pensions of public employees.

On July 1st, the Governor's office and AFSCME Council 31 agreed on a new contract for some 35,000 state employees guaranteeing annual pay raises through 2025. Some downstate lawmakers fear the contract will wipe out the current budget surplus for the state. Patrick Pfingsten of The Illinoize joins Steve and Jane to discuss whether the new contacts will hurt the budget and early reactions to the end of cash bail in Illinois.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on this Presidents' Day edition of Midday, guest host Jayne Miller, the award-winning former WBAL-TV investigative reporter who retired last summer, begins a three-day stint in the Midday host chair while Tom Hall is away. Our focus today: the future of work. The pandemic has had a lasting impact on how people work, when they work and where they want to work. Remote and hybrid options are becoming permanent changes to more traditional work schedules. But picture this option:only four days of work per week. The Maryland Legislature is now considering a bill to start a 4-day work week pilot. Joining Jayne to discuss that prospect is the bill's sponsor– Senator Shelly Hettleman, who represents District 11 (Baltimore County) in Annapolis. Jayne speaks next with Dr. Roger Ward, Provost at the University of Maryland at Baltimore, about his leadership of UMB's Future of Work Task Force, which has been studying a wide range of work scenarios, and plans to release their final report by this summer. Governor Wes Moore often speaks of the large number of vacancies in public sector jobs, but what can be done to attract more applicants and fill these openings? Jayne's final guest today is Patrick Moran, president of AFSCME Council 3, the union that represents state and higher education employees. Mr. Moran discusses the new challenges of finding people to fill important jobs in the public sector.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Read the transcript of this podcast: https://therealnews.com/baltimores-enoch-pratt-free-library-workers-move-to-unionizeEmployees of Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library system have announced their intention to unionize, citing better pay, benefits for all, and greater employee input into working conditions as their chief motivations. Seeking voluntary recognition from Pratt leadership, Pratt Workers United hopes to join AFSCME Council 67, where workers from Walters Art Museum and Baltimore Museum of Art are also seeking representation. TRNN Editor-in-Chief Maximillian Alvarez interviews Pratt Workers United organizers Marti Dirscheri and Antoinette Wilson on the unionization campaign.Studio/Post-Production: Cameron GranadinoHelp us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer: Donate: https://therealnews.com/donate-podSign up for our newsletter: https://therealnews.com/newsletter-podLike us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/therealnewsFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealnews

The National Archives are investigating if the Secret Service deleted text messages from Jan 6. President Cocaine Mitch?! Also, the Biden Administration has received Justin's message. It's time to talk about their wins from the last two years. A new Net Neutrality bill is in the works, reclassifying broadband telecommunications as a Title II service - or common carrier - as it was under the FCC during the Obama administration. Is it likely to pass? Doug Woodson (Organizer and Regional Director for AFSCME Council 31 in Illinois) joins the show to discuss his life-long experience in union organization. But wait - there's more! Meg Sybert (County Clerk and Recorder of Bond County, Illinois, and also Tom's sister) provides her unique insight into running local elections in Southern Illinois.

International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) General President Frank J. Christensen joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast and explained how the Union's efforts to increase safety standards have created a safer work force.    Cris Serrano, Organizing Director at American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 79, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed the Council's approach to internal and external organizing in Florida.

Andrew Burcham, General Counsel and Staff Representative Organizer for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 962, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how the state of Kentucky is not spending stimulus funds from the American Rescue Plan and alleged political corruption in the city of Louisville.   American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1631 President Jessica Fee appeared on the AWF Union podcast and talked about the recent decision by the U.S. Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to not close the VA hospitals in Chillicothe, Ohio and numerous other VA facilities.

In the past few weeks alone, the Supreme Court has delivered a firestorm of conservative legal victories. States now have far less leeway to restrict gun permits. The right to abortion is no longer constitutionally protected. The Environmental Protection Agency has been kneecapped in its ability to regulate carbon emissions, and by extension, all executive branch agencies will see their power significantly diminished.But to focus only on this particular Supreme Court term is to miss the bigger picture: In the past few decades, conservative court majorities have dragged this country's laws to the right on almost every issue imaginable. Shelby County v. Holder gutted the Voting Rights Act and opened the door for states to pass restrictive voting laws. Rucho v. Common Cause limited the court's ability to curb partisan gerrymandering. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission unleashed a torrent of campaign spending. Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 weakened unions. A whole slew of cases, including some decided on the shadow docket during the Covid-19 pandemic, undercut federal agencies' power to help govern in an era of congressional gridlock. And that's only a partial list.Kate Shaw is a law professor at Cardozo School of Law, a co-host of the legal podcast Strict Scrutiny and a former clerk for Justice John Paul Stevens. In this episode, she walks me through the most significant Supreme Court cases over the past 20 years, from the court's decision to hand George W. Bush the presidency in 2000, to the dismantling of the Voting Rights Act, to the assertion of an individual's right to bear arms.Along the way, we discuss the right's decades-long effort to transform American law from the bench, how Republican-appointed judges have consistently entrenched Republican political power, the interpretive bankruptcy of constitutional originalism, how the Warren Court radicalized the conservative legal movement, what might happen to decisions like Obergefell v. Hodges now that the court majority seems to be so comfortable throwing out precedent, what cases to watch in the Roberts Court's next term, and more.Mentioned:“After Citizens United: How Outside Spending Shapes American Democracy” by Nour Abdul-Razzak, Carlo Prato and Stephane Wolton“The Most Important Study in the Abortion Debate” by Annie LowreyBook recommendations:The Turnaway Study by Diana Greene FosterTorn Apart by Dorothy RobertsWho Decides? by Jeffrey S. Sutton51 Imperfect Solutions by Jeffrey S. SuttonThoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com.You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast, and you can find Ezra on Twitter @ezraklein. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.“The Ezra Klein Show” is produced by Annie Galvin and Rogé Karma; fact-checking by Michelle Harris, Rollin Hu, Mary Marge Locker and Kate Sinclair; original music by Isaac Jones; mixing by Isaac Jones; audience strategy by Shannon Busta. Our executive producer is Irene Noguchi. Special thanks to Kristin Lin, Kristina Samulewski, David A. Kaplan, Ian Millhiser, Aziz Rana and Kate Redburn.

Cities work with public employee unions on a variety of issues, and good working relationships with unions are critical for making sure that the important work of cities continues each day. That's why at AWC we think it's important for city management to hear labor-side perspectives. We sat down with Michael Rainey, the new President of the WA Council of County & City Employees, and his colleague Staff Representative Suzette Dickerson to get their take on management/union relations, bargaining, employee discipline, and upcoming trends and changes in the world of HR.  

Broadcast on March 10, 2022 Hosted by Chris Garlock & Ed Smith On Wednesday, Mayor Muriel Bowser signed an agreement with unions that represent more than 11,000 DC government employees; we find out more from AFSCME Council 20 Executive Director Robert Hollingsworth. Then, We Are Not Slaves: State Violence, Coerced Labor and Prisoners' Rights in Postwar America; this book, first published in 2020, is now out in paperback and we're joined by author Robert Chase and prisoner rights advocate Kurt Stand. Plus: music by Odetta. Labor news headlines: 20,000 Longshore Workers Refuse to Unload Russian Ships; Starbucks Workers Unionizing in Virginia; USW Local 8888 ratifies 5-year contract with Newport News Shipbuilding; New York Times Tech Workers Win a Union; Mpls. school, union leaders return to bargaining table on 2nd day of teachers strike; Grocery workers contract with Southern California supermarkets expires; Howard Nurses Face Sunday Deadline. Produced by Chris Garlock; engineered by Michael Nassella. @wpfwdc @aflcio #1u #unions #laborradiopod @DCNurses1 @NursesHealDC @NationalNurses

The Maryland Office of Chief Medical Examiner is experiencing an unprecedented backlog of autopsies. The delays mean families are having to wait weeks to say goodbye to their loved ones who were murdered or overdosed.“The bodies are piling up and decaying right in front of everyone's eyes,” said Patrick Moran, President of AFSCME Council 3, which has members who are autopsy assistants and forensic investigators. “Bodies are decomposing and that's not the way to treat those that have lost their lives and families who are looking for closure.”LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos everyday. https://bit.ly/3fs6dBUSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/seattlerealestatepodcast)

Season 5, Episode 2 of Messy Jesus Business podcast, hosted by Sister Julia Walsh. "Little by little, you can make a difference in people's lives."-Adrienne Alexander LISTEN HERE: IN THIS EPISODE: In this episode of Messy Jesus Business podcast, Sister Julia Walsh talks with Adrienne Alexander about her family's faith beginnings and how she got involved in politics, social justice and the labor movement. They talk about progress, how it can be slow, yet worthwhile. "I play a lot of defense in my job, but it is incredibly rewarding when you do have those wins that steel you for the next 10 years," Adrienne says. They discuss labor negotiations and the mess of lobbying for justice. "Solidarity is something that's kind of counter-cultural, especially in American individualistic society when everybody's just...trying to personally get ahead," Adrienne explains. Sister Julia and Adrienne also take a look at the labor issues of 2022, including the fight for fair wages, and the importance of protecting essential workers and immigrants who are most vulnerable to risk. And they explore how Adrienne finds hope in the midst of messy politics. ABOUT THE GUEST: Adrienne Alexander has worked at AFSCME Council 31 since 2010 and currently serves as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. She serves on the boards of the Catholic Labor Network and Arise Chicago, a nonprofit organization that works at the intersection of faith and workers' rights. Adrienne is a graduate of Agnes Scott College, a small, women's college in Georgia, and earned her Master's degree in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota. She lives in Chicago with her husband and two daughters, where they attend St. Benedict the African. Contemplative Moment is adapted from the Prayer for Labor Day. MESSY JESUS BUSINESS is produced and hosted by Sister Julia Walsh, and edited by Charish Badzinski. Email us at messyjesusbusiness@gmail.com BE SOCIAL:https://www.facebook.com/MessyJesusBusiness https://www.instagram.com/messyjesusbusiness Twitter: @messyjesusbiz SUPPORT US: https://www.patreon.com/messyjesusbusiness

In the late 1970s, San Jose city employees were frustrated with flat wages and pay inequities for women workers. They believed that job categories dominated by women were undervalued and underpaid, and they proved it through a multi-year campaign for pay equity led by AFSCME Local 101/Municipal Employees Federation, AFSCME Council 57. Their efforts went a long way towards closing pay gaps, but it wouldn't have happened without a strike in 1981. AFSCME secretary-treasurer Elissa McBride brings us the story of the first pay equity strike in U.S. history. In December of 1954, Boston meatpackers in CIO Local 11 were just over a month into a strike against the Colonial Provision Company. That strike went on to make history, continuing for 14 months, the longest in Massachusetts history. Interracial cooperation was also a hallmark of the struggle by the Boston meatpackers, who were also redbaited and had their union decertified.  The story of how these workers fought back – and won – is still inspiring and has lessons for today's battles. On this week's Labor History in Two: the year was 1947. That was the day that the United Mine Workers leader, John L. Lewis wrote the AFL stating “We disaffiliate.” Questions, comments or suggestions welcome, and to find out how you can be a part of Labor History Today, email us at LaborHistoryToday@gmail.com Labor History Today is produced by Union City Radio and the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor. Our story of the Boston meatpacker strike came from the film Glory Days: Boston Colonial Packinghouse Workers Recall the Strike of 1954 – 55, produced and directed by Cynthia McKeown, released in 1988; remastered in 2019. Labor history sources include Today in Labor History, compiled by David Prosten. This week's music: 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton (plus a funk cover by Love Raptor) and Celebration by Kool and the Gang, both top hits in 1981, the year of the pay equity strike.

This week, Roqayah and Kumars are joined by Kooper Caraway, president of the South Dakota Federation of Labor, he's also the former statewide representative for AFSCME Council 65, which represents workers in South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota. Previously, Kooper worked with the American Federation of Teachers and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. Kooper joins us to discuss the wave of strikes sweeping across the United States: over 10,000 John Deere workers, 1,400 Kellogg's cereal factory workers, over 24,000 nurses and healthcare workers at Kaiser Permanente, and many more. We discuss the tactics being deployed by employers—like attempting to hire non-union workers—and why it's imperative that workers hold the line and continue to fight back. Kooper explains the optimism present among workers, and how this has driven a new generation of union members and organizers.  Follow Kooper on Twitter @KooperCaraway. If you want to support the show and receive access to tons of bonus content, subscribe on our Patreon page for as little as $5 a month. Also, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show on iTunes. We can't do this show without your support!!!

In a public letter, a group of 60 workers at the Art Institute of Chicago announced plans to unionize. Reset talks to a museum employee and a spokesperson for the regional council of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). GUESTS: Anders Lindall, AFSCME Council 31 spokesperson Anna Feuer, acquisitions and collections manager at Art Institute of Chicago Ryerson and Burnham Libraries

We've got eight different excerpts to share with you this week, some from shows that are new to the network and others that will be familiar to regular listeners. We begin with the Million Dollar Organizer podcast where host Bob Oedy offers some thoughts on the global employment crisis. Next we introduce you to the Speaking of Work podcast from the Iowa Labor History Society.  In this episode we learn about Keokuk Senior High School, site of an illegal strike in 1970 that changed the trajectory of education in all of Iowa, through the voices of teachers themselves. Randy Corrigan from the Teamsters Union joins Kris LaGrange on UCOMM Live to discuss organizing the world's most evil corporation (That's Amazon, by the way). From one colossal warehouse to another, we cross the Atlantic to the FairWork podcast and hear from delivery drivers who participated in a recent wildcat strike against Gorillas Corporation in Berlin. On Council 4 Unplugged -- that's the podcast of AFSCME Council 4 in Connecticut -- we learn about a new project that's focused on addressing some of the mental health challenges faced by workers in correctional facilities. And Denise Berkley joins the latest episode of Union Strong to discuss the New York State AFL-CIO's Social Justice Task Force. We then journey a bit further north to Montreal where this month's episode of Labour Radio focused on the history and legacy of the Greek Workers Association of Quebec. Finally, the Art and Labor crew raise concerns about the United Federation of Teachers' position on the New York Health Act. Highlights from labor radio and podcast shows around the country, part of the national Labor Radio Podcast Network of shows focusing on working people's issues and concerns. #LaborRadioPod @AFLCIO @WorkingPod @SpeakingWork @ucommblog @TowardsFairWork @AFSCMECT3 @nysaflcio Edited by Patrick Dixon, Melanie Smith and Chris Bangert-Drowns; produced by Chris Garlock; social media guru: Harold Phillips

We’re talking about the PA State System of Higher Education Chancellor Dan Greenstein’s plans to merge three state universities - Bloomsburg University, Mansfield University, and Lock Haven University - the university at which tonight’s guests teach and work. As you might recall, Chancellor Greenstein is also forcing mergers on three additional campus in Western PA - California, Clarion, and Edinboro. Just at Lock Haven, the Chancellor wants to cut 30% of the faculty; slash 56 custodial and grounds keeping jobs; end 12 academic programs; and, send a small PA town into economic uncertainty.    On tonight's show I welcome: Peter Campbell: is the president of the Lock Haven chapter of the faculty union APSCUF.  Campbell is a professor in the Sport Administration program at Lock Haven. He teaches courses in the undergraduate and graduate programs including: Contemporary Issues and Problems in Sport Administration, Sport Law and Ethics, Governance of Sport, Sport Facility Management and Operation, Sport Administration Professional Field Experience, and Legal and Policy Issues in Sport.  Shawn O’Dell: President of AFSCME Council 13, Local 2360 which includes many employees at Lock Haven University including custodians, grounds keepers, maintenance, mechanics, carpenters, plumbers, painters, HVAC, electricians, secretaries, and support staff.  As she puts it, AFSCME members are the backbone of the LHU community, without them, LHU could not exist. O’Dell is also a graduate LHU with a BA in English.  She was a nontraditional student and graduated at age 41 and then was given an opportunity to work with the Upward Bound program.  That opportunity opened the way to move to the Center for Global Engagement and the Global Honors Program where I work as their secretary.   Matt Girton: Professor and Chair in the Department of Communication at Lock Haven University. He is also a former president of the Lock Haven chapter of APSCUF. On the State APSCUF Exec Council. The State System Universities have been part of his entire life. He grew up 10 miles from Bloomsburg where, swam in the old Centennial Gym pool and went to Celebrity Artist Series productions in Haas Auditorium. His high school band director took Matt and other students to Mansfield for weekly music lessons. He returned to BU in the mid-90’s for his MA in Communication, and while finishing his doctorate at Florida State University, he worked as an adjunct for a year at Shippensburg. How to stay involved and help with the fight:  Follow Lock Haven APSCUF on Facebook Follow Lock Haven APSCUF on Twitter Follow Save Our State Schools on Twitter and click the "Get Involved" button on the Save Our State Schools website If you are in the Lock Haven area, join the Rally to Save Lock Haven University Jobs, this Saturday, March 20 @ 10:00 am Find your state legislator and write and/or call them. Let them know you do not want to see Lock Haven merged Call the PASSHE Board of Governors @ 717-720-4010 or fax them @ 717-720-4011 and tell them to "Save the Haven" Share this interview on all your social media A special shout out to Jonathan Mann who wrote our intro song, “There Are No People in the Future.” Check out all is great stuff on his YouTube page and follow him on Twitter @songadaymann

C4 and Bryan Nehman heard weekdays from 5:30-10:00am ET on WBAL Newsradio 1090 and FM101.5.

In this episode, Neph and Rosette are joined by special guests Adrienne Alexander and Father Clete Kiley to discuss the connections between Catholic Social Teaching and the importance of unions and present-day labor movements. Currently, our first guest, Adrienne Alexander serves as the Director of Intergovernmental affairs for AFSCME in Illinois. She also serves as a board member of Arise Chicago and the Catholic Labor Network. Our second guest, Fr. Clete, serves as the Senior Advisor for Immigration Policy for the hotel and foodservice union UNITE HERE and he also serves as the Chaplain of the Chicago Federation of Labor. Through faith, knowledge, and perseverance, both Fr. Clete and Adrienne work with others to fight for better wages, reasonable hours, and safer working conditions. To register and attend the Catholic Labor Network Labor Day Mass, click here. To learn more about the work of Adrienne and Fr. Clete, you can visit the following websites: Arise Chicago: https://www.arisechicago.org/ AFSCME Council 31: https://www.afscme31.org/ UNITE HERE: https://unitehere.org/ Catholic Labor Network: http://catholiclabor.org/  Chicago Federation of Labor: https://www.chicagolabor.org/  To learn about how to become a member or donate, visit us at csplaction.org. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter using the handles @CSPLAction and @partingdwaters. Hosts: Nephtalie Lesperance Rosette Mamboleo Producers: Nephtalie Lesperance Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership Music: No Frills Comparsa by Kevin MacLeod

Randy has worked his way up from driving a milk truck to working for the City of Barre. He has worked in both the Water Department and the Cemetery Department. The Cemetery Department covers Hope Cemetery in Barre, which is home to some of Barre's finest granite memorials. Despite Barre's multicultural past, some tension arose in the Cemetery Department when the cemetery held a Muslim funeral. Randy's back in the Water Department, nearing retirement, but, not all is fine and placid: Providing essential services and being a union leader is always hard work. Oral history transcript to be performed: Randy Edmunds, Work Leader for City of Barre's Water Department and President of AFSCME Council 93 (2017, original) Guest performer: Carl Etnier This is an independently produced show. Please consider supporting En Masse on Patreon. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/liz-medina5/message

Local Union President Colin Maycock calls in to talk about some transparency issues his Local is having with their AFSCME Council amid constant threats from the Freedom Foundation. AFSCME did not respond to comment leading us to believe that soft corruption does exist. Also calling in is Brandon Patterson, an up and coming politico in Staten Island. He is Labor's candidate for NYS Assembly.  According to Gallup Americans are not proud to be Americans so we look at why that might be plus we expose the 20 targets of who we need to get the HEROES Act passed in Washington. Labor is marching with Black Lives Matter in DC on Juneteenth and the MLB Players Union needs our support and understanding in their ongoing fight with the greedy owners in MLB.

UNLOCKED BONUS EPISODE: We talk to Kooper Caraway, President of the Sioux Falls AFL-CIO and Labor Rep for AFSCME Council 65 about the labor movement in South Dakota and about doing labor organizing that is bold, inclusive, anti-racist, and antifascist. (If you want to hear more bonus episodes like this, subscribe to our Patreon!  https://www.patreon.com/WorkingPeople) Additional links/info below... Kooper's Twitter page Sioux Falls AFL-CIO's website and Twitter page Rebecca Zweig, The Nation, "‘Organize or Die’: Kooper Caraway Ushers in a New Labor Movement" Brendan O'Connor, Strikewave, "Want to Celebrate May Day? Fight for Antifascist Unions"   Featured Music (all songs sourced from the Free Music Archive: freemusicarchive.org) Lobo Loco, "Malte Junior - Hall" Roger McGuinn, "When I First Came to This Land"

The C4 Show heard weekdays from 9am-1pm ET on WBAL Newsradio 1090 and FM101.5.

Frontline workers need our help. On the mic with Ed Markey is AFSCME President Lee Saunders and AFSCME Council 93 Executive Director Mark Bernard to discuss how we can protect essential workers.

Covid-19 has infiltrated Maryland’s prisons and some of its county jails. The wife of one inmate told reporters, “They are all scared. They feel like they are sitting ducks,” waiting for the virus to spread through crowded cells. A coalition of public-health experts, lawyers and families has petitioned the state’s highest court to release inmates who are not a danger to society. We hear from Caitlyn Raiford, a former inmate who works for the Maryland Prisoners Rights Coalition, and with Oluwadamilol Olaniyan, a shop steward for AFSCME Council 3, the union that represents correctional officers in Maryland. Plus, WYPR's Rachel Baye shares how COVID-19 is affecting Maryland's correctional system.

We apologize for the quality of our audio. We're getting settled with our respective home studios during quarantine, and we are eternally thankful to Jay for his superlative editing skills and patience. We'll get better! Don't forget to give us some stars and subscribe! We hope you are all staying safe, sane, and healthy. Want to talk about it? Send a note to hello@betterleft.net! Follow The Better Left Cast on Twitter Follow the Better Left Cast on Facebook Follow the Better Left Cast on Instagram “We are aware that there are some inherent dangers in our work, but none of us signed up for a suicide mission,” said Yestramski. -Mike Yestramski Jr, RollCall.Com Mike is a psychiatric social worker at Western State Hospital, and President of AFSCME 28/WFSIE, the union representing approximately 45,000 state employees and public service workers across the state of Washington. That includes employees of state agencies, state colleges and universities, social services providers, state park employees, and correction officers, to name a few. While all of these public service jobs have been impacted by the unprecedented impact of this global pandemic, COVID-19 has created an untenable pressure on the frontline healthcare workers at facilities like Eastern and Western State hospitals, Harborview Medical Center, and the University of Washington Medical Center. In this episode, we check in with our friend Mike and unpack the reports we've heard from the frontline workers, the ever-present struggle with hospital administration to get the necessary PPE -protective gear used by hospital staff to reduce exposure and risk of infection for both patient and the people providing vital healthcare services. In the midst of this crisis, at the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak and in the United States, Mike speaks to what's going on and what the team at Washington State Federation of State Employees is doing to advocate on behalf of the incredible work on the frontlines, like #Courageous Duty Pay for front-line workers (SIGN THE PETITION!), and advocating for better screening and prioritized COVID-19 testing for front line staff. Mike at KUOW.ORG Mike at PublicNewsService.Org Michael Ferguson We also speak with our dear friend Michael Ferguson, an account manager for a company that provides lighting and technical services for large-venue public events. 200 employees were laid off as a result of the impact of COVID-19, and he speaks to the difficulty of the situation, and what he and other leaders from his field are doing to help- like raising $70,000 in support of Washington State Stage and Tech workers in an emergency fund. This Episode: Follow The Better Left Cast on Twitter Follow the Better Left Cast on Facebook Follow the Better Left Cast on Instagram Guests: Mike Yestramski Jr and Michael Ferguson Hosts: Troy Hewitt, Cassidy 'Corn' Butler Editing: Jay Smith Show Notes: Troy Hewitt Intro Artist: Hemijinks Title: Nice Ray License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Adaptation: Reduced length to fit intro, adjusted audio levels Promoted by: https://www.tribeofnoise.com/viewMusic.php?fileID=17690 Outro Artist: Ed Navarro Dee Title: Atacama License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ Adaptation: adjusted audio levels Promoted by:https://www.tribeofnoise.com/viewMusic.php?fileID=61477

 In the first half of the show, Erica Hammond sits down with the presidents of two of the largest public sector unions in the state, respectively, Lawrence Purtill of the National Education Association Rhode Island and Frank Flynn of the RI Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, to talk about their upcoming legislative agenda for the coming year, and their concerns after hearing about a looming deficit and needs for more cuts. In the second half of th​e show, in another of our "Know Your Unions" segments, Jim Cenerini the Legislative Affairs Coordinator/Lobbyist/Staff Representative for AFSCME Council 94 sits down with Erica to talk about the coming budget and how it affects not only his members but all Rhode Islanders, some his unions' legislative issues - like addressing his public safety members' issues, and "reinstatement of licensing of clinical laboratory science practitioners."

Regular Meeting and Post Council Study Session Agenda ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Council Bill No. 2019-177 A Resolution Appointing Thomas Thompson to the Code Review & Appeals Board in the City of Champaign Council Bill No. 2019-178 A Resolution Appointing Adrianne Brehm to the Historic Preservation Commission in the City of Champaign Council Bill No. 2019-179 A Resolution Appointing Aviyah Washington to the Human Relations Commission in the City of Champaign Council Bill No. 2019-180 An Ordinance Amending the Annual Budget for Various Funds (Budget Amendment No. 2019/2020-5) Council Bill No. 2019-181 An Ordinance Amending the Position Control Report and Salary Schedules of the City of Champaign for the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Council Bill No. 2019-182 An Ordinance Amending the Rates of Compensation for Employees of the Champaign Public Library and the Annual Position Control Report for the Champaign Public Library for the Fiscal Year 2019/20 Council Bill No. 2019-183 A Resolution Adopting a Plan of Finance to Issue General Obligation Bonds to Refund the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2010 (Finance Department – Debt Financing – 2019 Refunding Bonds) Council Bill No. 2019-184 An Ordinance of the City of Champaign, Champaign County, Illinois, Providing for the Issuance of General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2019, Providing the Details of Such Bonds and for a Levy of Taxes to Pay the Principal of and Interest on Such Bonds, and Related Matters (Finance Department – Debt Financing – Refunding of Series 2010 Bonds) Council Bill No. 2019-185 A Resolution Approving a Grant Agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a Fire Prevention & Safety Grant (Fire Department-Fire Prevention & Safety Grant) Council Bill No. 2019-186 An Ordinance Amending the Annual Budget for the General Fund (Budget Amendment No. 2019/2020-6) Council Bill No. 2019-187 An Ordinance Approving an Agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Champaign, Illinois and AFSCME Council 31, Local Union #1960 (FY 2019/2020 – FY 2021/2022) Council Bill No. 2019-188 An Ordinance Approving an Agreement Between the City of Champaign, Illinois and the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters, Metal Trades Division, AFL-CIO Local Union #149 (FY 2019/2020 – FY 2021/2022) Council Bill No. 2019-189 An Ordinance Adding Section 2-291 of the Champaign Municipal Code, 1985, as Amended (Administration – Legal Department – Case Intervention and Support) Council Bill No. 2019-190 A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Subrecipient Agreement with the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission – Community Services Division for Senior Minor Home Repair Program Management Services (Neighborhood Services Department) Council Bill No. 2019-191 A Resolution Approving the Final Plat of Brookfield Properties Retail No. 1 Subdivision (located at 2002, 2100, and 2310 North Neil Street) Council Bill No. 2019-192 An Ordinance Amending Articles II, IV of Chapter 37 of the Champaign Municipal Code, 1985, as Amended (Article II – Definitions; Article IV – Development Standards) Council Bill No. 2019-193 An Ordinance Amending Article XI of the Champaign Municipal Code, 1985, as Amended (Zoning Requirements for Cannabis Business Establishments) STUDY SESSION AGENDA SS 2019-037 Financial Forecast SS 2019-038 Proposed 2019 Property Tax Levy

Spoiler Alert! Mike Yestramski Jr. came to visit to talk about his run for President of the AFSCME Council 28 WFSE, then Jay slipped into something more comfortable (a giant Penguin suit), and Yestramski won his race! So if you are running, you might want to hire Jay for your campaign, your children's birthday party, and bat mitzvahs. Jay Inslee ignores the Indigenous people assembled at the State Capitol begging for an audience, Inslee has no time because just so busy fighting mango-flavored vape cartridges. The current Senate Majority Leader gets the majority of his funding from tobacco, which makes us question our motives here. Our Jay walks us through a paper written by 68-year-old Professor Shawn Rosenberg that has SHOCKED! (shocked they say!) the establishment, as he dismantled everything they know about American Democracy. From politico: "Rosenberg, a professor at UC Irvine, was challenging a core assumption about America and the West. His theory? Democracy is devouring itself, in his paper predicting the end of democracy." We talk to Mike Yestramski about unions, his experience as a psychiatric social worker at Western State Hospital and his run for President of AFSCME Council 28 WFSE. We break down what he does at Western State Hospital, he talks about the importance representation and collective bargaining, and why he is running. It is a great conversation, an important dialogue on representation. Everyone begrudgingly takes a personality test, but they are salty because it didn't come from a teen magazine to help you find out "Which Friends Character are You" or "WHAT KIND OF CROISSANT ARE YOU" Buzzfeed quiz. Turns out Jay is that one guy at the coffee place that was really bitchy about doing his job. Thanks for editing the show, jay! Thanks to the following creators: Intro Artist: Telboy Title: What I am License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Promoted by: https://www.tribeofnoise.com/viewMusic.php?fileID=2078 Discussion Segue: Artist: Joedavy6 Song: This Is Nothing New License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ Promoted by: https://www.tribeofnoise.com/viewMusic.php?fileID=70030 Outtro Artist: TaylorCasey Title: Heaven Knows License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ Promoted by: https://www.tribeofnoise.com/viewMusic.php?fileID=46940 Big News Breakdown Sound Artist: Mansardian Title: News End Signature.Wave License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Promoted by: https://freesound.org/people/mansardian/sounds/61322/

Episode 145: We are taught as kids to keep your word. If you promised not to do something bad or your promised to do something good, we learned you have to keep your promise otherwise people pretty quickly don’t trust you. Which explains why most people just don’t trust politicians—like politicians who are supposed to be your allies and who promised thousands of people they would get a decent pension and, then, vote to take it away. Support the podcast here: www.patreon.com/WorkingLifePodcast And, so, "see you in court" is the cry we begin with. Stacy Chamberlain, the executive director of AFSCME Council 75, gives the lowdown on a critical lawsuit to challenge a bill--passed by a Democratic super majority and signed by the Democratic governor—that would rob workers of a big slice of their hard-earned pensions. Support the podcast here: www.patreon.com/WorkingLifePodcast And, then, shocker—Wal-Mart is up to some sleazy stuff yet again. Wal-Mart and other big corporations, far from the headlines, relentlessly fight small town and cities over property tax assessments of corporate properties. Our go-to tax expert, Matt Gardner, senior fellow at the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, goes through the ugly strategy that forces understaffed municipalities to give in to essentially corporate blackmail—pushing more costs of basic services on to average working people. Support the podcast here: www.patreon.com/WorkingLifePodcast -- Jonathan Tasini Follow me on Twitter @jonathantasini Sign up for The Working Life Podcast at: www.workinglife.org Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jonathan.tasini.3

This week, Roqayah and Kumars are joined by Kooper Caraway, the current president of the Sioux Falls AFL-CIO central labor council in South Dakota and a Labor Rep for AFSCME Council 65, representing workers in Minnesota as well as North and South Dakota. Before being elected central labor council president at age 27, making him the youngest ever in the history of the AFL-CIO, he worked with the American Federation of Teachers and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. Kooper begins by sharing his first experiences of organizing, including successfully thwarting an ICE deportation raid while still in high school. The gang talks about the Sioux Falls AFL-CIO’s decision to ban white supremacists from union membership, and Kooper discusses the need to forge lasting connections between the labor movement and community organizers, including the actions his organization has taken to support workers in South Dakota’s Native communities. Kooper ends with his thoughts on the importance of changing the culture of union organizing towards inclusivity and international solidarity. Follow Kooper on Twitter @KooperCaraway. If you want to support the show and receive access to tons of bonus content, subscribe on our Patreon page for as little as $5 a month. Also, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show on iTunes. We can't do this show without your support!!!

USW Local 105 President Brad Greve opens the show with a contract update.  Mike interviews Danny Homan from AFSCME Council 61 to get an update on their lawsuit against the state of Iowa.  Roy interviews E.J. Jenkins about his Labor and community event Black Labor Week.  Please call 1-866-803-8830 and tell your Senator to end the Government shut down (lock out).

Danny Homan, President of Iowa’s AFSCME Council 61; Eli Dvorkin, Editorial & Policy Director of the Center for an Urban Future.  

Congratulations to the Los Angeles County Public Defenders Union on becoming an officially recognized bargaining unit. Ace Katana joins me to talk about the efforts to unionize, what spurred it, and what they hope to gain. The Los Angeles County Office of the Public Defender is the largest criminal defense law firm in the world and the oldest public defender office in the US. Hundreds of attorneys handle thousands, if not tens of thousands, of cases a year. They are often the only hope their clients have to stay out of jail and to defend themselves against the power of the mass incarceral state. Since first being proposed by Clara Shortridge Foltz at the World's Fair in 1893, cities and counties have adopted this model to provide representation to their residents. These efforts were further bolstered by Supreme Court decisions that affirmed a defendant's right to legal counsel. As more attention turns to the abuses of prosecutors and cops the necessity of this work becomes even more apparent. To learn more about Clara Shortridge Foltz: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_Shortridge_Foltz To see what the LA County Public Defenders Union is up to: https://www.lapubdefunion.com/ or follow them on Twitter: @LApubdefunion To learn more about AFSCME Council 36: https://www.afscme36.org/ To visit KNOCK LA's Patreon: http://patreon.com/KNOCK_LA

Washington state has the third-highest rate of union membership in the country, after New York and Hawaii. Even though the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 only applies to workers in the public sector, private-sector unions here said they face implications as well.

AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch.  

Strike fever continues as the squad talks about the Jersey City Teachers strike last week, billionaires, and Florida public sector unions fighting against decertification. We’re joined by AFSCME Council 79 union representative and Jacksonville Community Action Committee co-founder Michael Sampson (@BrotherFlourish on Twitter), who offers some insight on why and how the working class should […]

The Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 is getting underway at the US Supreme Court, Trump has some reckoning to do with his base and WTF Trump is musing about killing all drug dealers in the US.

Our panel reviews Gov. Walker’s State of the State (SOS) address which reveals a massive re-branding effort heading into the 2018 election. Robert analyzes Walker’s 11th hour conversion on health care designed to address his biggest electoral vulnerability. We welcome AFSCME Council 32’s Mike Horecki to talk about Walker’s belated effort to close Lincoln Hills after 7 years of pressure from workers and advocates to address the destructive impact of his policies. Health Care Co-op Organizer Katie Dunn joins us to promote this Saturday’s Healthcare Jeopardy forum with Democratic candidates for Governor in Milwaukee. We close with Rebecca educating us about a police shooting in Racine that has the community organized and searching for answers.

A Girl Talk throwback episode! This show was recorded live at The Hideout in Chicago on July 25, 2017.The labor movement is under attack on all fronts in Illinois and across the country. Our governor is like an anti-union Tasmanian Devil, frantically spinning around doing everything he can to hack organized labor to death in our state. Workers and unions all across the city and the state are fighting for fair contracts and livable wages--and facing massive obstacles. With big Supreme Court decisions coming down the pike that could redefine the future of the labor movement, it's time for a Girl Talk episode that tackles these issues head on.On July 25, #TheGirlTalk welcomed women who stand up for worker's rights in the Chicago labor movement and beyond to talk about the threats Bruce Rauner and the Trump administration have on workers' basic rights--and what it could mean for women and families in our communities. What is The Girl Talk, you ask? It's a monthly show on the last Tuesday of the month hosted by women (DNAinfo Chicago's Jen Sabella and public education warrior/CPS teacher Erika Wozniak Francis) and featuring influential Chicago women. Though the show features women and femme-identified individuals on stage, we welcome all gender identities and expressions to join us for these important conversations. Our Guests:Adrienne AlexanderAdrienne Alexander is Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at AFSCME Council 31, where she's worked since 2010. She's better known on Twitter as @DriXander. She originally hails from Georgia, where she graduated from Agnes Scott, a women's college. After undergrad, Adrienne ventured up to Minnesota where she got her Master's in Public Policy. Now she's happily settled in Rogers Park, where her New Yorker husband finally agreed to join her. They're surviving the Trump years by focusing on their lovely ten month old daughter.Stacy Davis GatesStacy Davis Gates has served as the Political and Legislative Director for theChicago Teachers Union for the past six years. While at the CTU, Ms. Davis Gates has been the architect of bold political and legislative campaigns for the schools and city that all Chicagoans deserve. In 2015, she raised millions of dollars for a coordinated challenge to Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his rubber-stamp City Council and coordinated a collaborative effort to pass a voter referendum for an elected school board in 37 out of Chicago's 50 wards. Most recently, she has led campaigns to pass statewide legislation for an elected school board, strengthen charter operator regulations, and fund public education through an elimination of tax breaks and slush funds for the 1%. In 2017, Ms. Davis Gates was elected Chair of United Working Families, an independent political organization by and for working class people and our movements.Ms. Davis Gates is currently on leave from the classroom, where she taught high school social studies for over a decade. She attended Saint Mary's College, the University of Notre Dame, and Concordia University. Ms. Davis Gates lives on the Southside with her husband and three children.Let us know what you think! Contact us on Twitter @GirlTalkChi or on Facebook @girltalkchicagoSpecial thanks to the amazing Bleach Party for our theme music. Check them out at http://letshaveableachparty.bandcamp.com/

Join Shawn, Mike, and Roy as they talk about local issues that affect workers.  They then talk with AFSCME Council 61 President Danny Homan about their recent union recertification wins.  Enjoy and share!

Illinois’ AFSCME Council 31 Exec. Dir. Roberta Lynch discusses how Janus v AFSCME threatens to muzzle public sector workers and create a “right to work” nation. Organizing Dir. Barbara Terrelonge discusses the union’s drive to engage members and retirees. Show also aired on Weds., Oct. 11 & 18 and Sun., Oct. 15, 2017.