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Leslie is joined by United Steelworkers (USW) President, Tom Conway.

The two discuss Mitch McConnell’s Do-Nothing, Anti-Worker Senate.
Here are some important points that Tom and Leslie brought up when analyzing some of the most important bills for workers that have landed in Mitch McConnell's 'graveyard' in the Senate, where over 400 bills from the U.S. House are waiting to be voted on.

In the past year, the U.S. House passed a slate of bills that would help U.S. workers, including:

- the Butch Lewis Act, that would enable the federal government to help save the pensions of about 1.3 million hard-working Americans;

- the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, which would require employers in the health care and social service fields to implement violence-prevention plans;

- and an increase to the minimum wage, raising it from $7.25 to $15 an hour by 2025. Congress hasn’t raised the minimum wage in over a decade.

Each of these bills is urgently needed, to help ensure fair wages, keep workers safe and safeguard workers’ right to a dignified retirement.  However, the do-nothing Senate continues to ignore these bills and more than 400 others that would help millions of Americans.  There has been no effort to compromise and no intention to hold a vote. Republican Senators, led by Mitch McConnell, are simply abdicating their responsibilities to help the American people.  By refusing to legislate, the Senate sends a message to the American people that they don’t care about urgent issues like workplace safety, troubled pension plans or fair wages.

Next month, the House is expected to vote on another key bill that would improve the lives of working people: the PRO Act.
The PRO Act is a sweeping labor law reform bill that strengthens worker power by eliminating penalties for union organizing, among other protections for workers.  This is especially important in an era of unprecedented attacks on workers’ rights.

Senate Republicans could help a lot of Americans by prioritizing workers over wealthy donors and greedy corporations. It just chooses not to. In November, workers have a choice too.
If anyone wants call their Senators and Representatives and tell them to support pro-worker legislation, they can look up their congresspeople and get their phone numbers by going to www.house.gov or www.senate.gov.

The website for the USW is www.USW.org. Their handle on both Twitter and Instagram is @steelworkers.The USW urges passage of the PRO Act. To help promote passage of the Pro Act, please post about it on social media using the hashtag #ProActNow.

Tom Conway was elected by the International Executive Board to succeed retiring International President Leo W. Gerard as leader of the United Steelworkers (USW), the largest industrial union in North America, effective July 15, 2019.

Previously, Conway served as International Vice President, a position he held since March 1, 2005, and was re-elected to four separate times.

During his 14-year tenure as International Vice President, Conway became the union’s most experienced contract negotiator in steel, aluminum, oil and other major industries where USW members work, often directing bargaining during crises.
Tom is a United States Air Force veteran and grew up in a union family in New Jersey. His father was an active member of the International Union of Operating Engineers. His mother worked in a brush factory, where she successfully organized a union and negotiated labor contracts.

You can read Tom's weekly blog at www.usw.org/blog.


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Leslie is joined by United Steelworkers (USW) President, Tom Conway.

The two discuss Protecting the Right to Organize, via the PRO Act (P.R.O. = Protect the Right to Organize).

Here are some important points that Tom and Leslie brought up when analyzing the need for the PRO Act, and how it would help.

The PRO Act, which received its final markup by the House Committee on Education and Labor last month, is a pathway to power for workers:

- It helps tip the balance of power away from CEOs by strengthening labor laws

- The defects of the current law can be clearly seen inthe case of Kumho Tire,a Korean company that has operations in Macon, Ga. as workers there tried to organize

- Workers trying to join the USW were subjected to anti-union videos put on repeat in the break rooms and threats of plant closure

- Kumho then fired the lead organizer and suspended pregnant worker, Victoria Whipple

- Kumho spend $500,000 on an anti-union campaign

- Kumho also racked up more than 30 'unfair labor practice' charges

The PRO Act would:

- Establish stronger and swifter remedies to stop employers from breaking the law

- Make companies recognize contractors as part of the collective bargaining process so they can no longer continue to whittle down Union membership by subcontracting

- Force an employer to reach a first contract in a timely manner with a newly organized group of workers. (No more dragging out first contracts!)

- Reverse so-called 'Right to Work,' regardless of state laws(!)

- Prohibit employers from forcing employees to attend anti-union meetings

There’s no dispute, workers in unions fare better than their non-union counterparts:

- Average union weekly earnings are significantly higher than non-union earnings

- On average, union members also have better benefits and more retirement security than their non-union counterparts

- Strengthening workers’ rights is essential to reducing economic inequality

The website for the USW is www.USW.org.  Their handle on both Twitter and Instagram is @steelworkers.
The USW urges passage of the PRO Act. To help promote passage of the Pro Act, please post about it on social media using the hashtag #ProActNow.

Tom Conway was elected by the International Executive Board to succeed retiring International President Leo W. Gerard as leader of the United Steelworkers (USW), the largest industrial union in North America, effective July 15, 2019.

Previously, Conway served as International Vice President, a position he held since March 1, 2005, and was re-elected to four separate times.

During his 14-year tenure as International Vice President, Conway became the union’s most experienced contract negotiator in steel, aluminum, oil and other major industries where USW members work, often directing bargaining during crises.

You can read Tom's weekly blog at www.usw.org/blog.

Leslie is joined by Anat Shenker-Osorio, Founder and Principal of ASO Communications.  Anat examines why certain messages falter where others deliver. She’s led research into how to persuade and mobilize on issues ranging from tackling right-wing race baiting to promoting clean energy and from honoring the rights of immigrants to reforming criminal justice.

The focus of today's discussion is Anat's new podcast, 'Brave New Words.'  'Brave New Words' takes listeners on a journey around the globe with Anat as she unpacks real-world narrative shifts that led to real-world victories. From electing the dynamic Jacinda Ardern Prime Minister of New Zealand, to repealing a national ban on abortion in Ireland, to beating back right-wing race baiting in Minnesota, Anatand her guests explore what made it possible to engage the base, persuade the middle, send the naysayers packing, and win.

Anat has delivered her findings at venues such as the U.S. Congressional Progressive Caucus, Centre for Australian Progress, Irish Migrant Centre, Open Society Foundations, Ford Foundation, New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, the European Commission and LUSH International.

You can find the 'Brave New Words' podcast on the web at BraveNewWordsPod.com.  Anat's Twitter handle is @anatosaurus and the handle for her podcast is @_BraveNewWords.

Leslie is joined by Bob Fisher, an International Representative with the Teamsters Airline Division.

The two discuss Teamster mechanics at United Airlines ratifying their national six-year agreement, which puts Teamsers at the top of the industry.

The website for Teamsters is www.Teamster.org and their Twitter handle is @Teamsters. Bob's handle is @RCFisher7.

Leslie is rejoined by Scott N. Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union.

The two are joined by callers as they discuss the following topics:

-A new AAM poll entitled "Working Class Voters Determined This Election. Now What Do Voters Want from Washington?" (http://tinyurl.com/jhr737n)

-A piece Scott Paul wrote about the poll entitled "The Vote for American Manufacturing was Pronounced, Widespread, and Bipartisan." (http://tinyurl.com/z4lahyw)

-A blog Scott wrote for Medium entitled "Trade Was a Huge Issue on Election Day." (http://tinyurl.com/hdzeb6o)

The website for the AAM is americanmanufacturing.org and their Twitter handle is @KeepitMadeinUSA. Scott's handle is @ScottPaulAAM.

(Image Credit: REUTERS / Brian Snyder)

Leslie is rejoined by Scott N. Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union.

The two discuss the potential effects a Trump presidency could have on U.S. manufacturing and trade.

The website for the AAM is americanmanufacturing.org and their Twitter handle is @KeepitMadeinUSA. Scott's handle is @ScottPaulAAM.

Leslie is joined by Scott N. Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union.

The two are joined by callers as they discuss an array of topics relating to American manufacturing that included, but weren't limited to:

-Kurt Eichenwald's new story for Newsweek "How Donald Trump Ditched U.S. Steel Workers in Favor of China." (http://www.newsweek.com/how- donald-trump-ditched-us-steel- workers-china-505717)

-How to bring manufacturing that's moved overseas back to the United States

-The plans and rhetoric by presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump regarding American manufacturing and infrastructure

The website for the AAM is www.AmericanManufacturing.org and their Twitter handle is @KeepitMadeinUSA. Scott Paul's handle is @ScottPaulAAM.

(Image Credit: REUTERS/Mike Segar)

Leslie is joined by Scott N. Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union.

The two discuss the past, present, and future of America's labor force, with a focus on those in the manufacturing sector.

They also discuss what workers really want, how Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are talking about those who work in manufacturing (and whether their plans match-up to their rhetoric), as well the manufacturing sector losing 14,000 jobs in the month of August.

Scott Paul's Twitter handle is @ScottPaulAAM and the website for the AAM is www.AmericanManufacturing.org.

Leslie's guest this hour is Leo Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers Union (USW).

The two are joined by callers as they discuss Donald Trump and his suitability to lead the nation and be our Commander-In-Chief.

The website for the USW is www.usw.org and Leo's Twitter handle is @USWblogger.

(Image Credit: Zuma Press)

Live from the DNC in Philadelphia, Leslie is joined by Scott N. Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union.

The two discuss how American manufacturing has been talked about by the speakers at the DNC, and how that compares to the speakers that were at the RNC. They also talk about how manufacturing is so very ingrained in our economy, and why it's so important for our country.

Leslie and Scott also discuss how despite Republican Nominee Donald Trump saying that he cares about American manufacturing, nearly all of the products that his businesses make are manufactured outside of the United States (in places like China, Mexico and Bangladesh).

Lastly, Leslie and Scott discuss Economist Gene Sperling saying that Hillary Clinton will be America’s manufacturing champion.

Scott Paul's Twitter handle is @ScottPaulAAM and the website for the AAM is www.AmericanManufacturing.org.

Leslie is rejoined by Scott N. Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union.

Here are the main items the two discussed:

-As Walmart kicks off its annual U.S. Manufacturing Summit in Arkansas on Tuesday, how is it doing in its 10-year commitment to purchase $250 billion in American-made goods. Also, how is it portraying it's progress in this area compared to reality.

-How Walmart's mass imports of Chinese goods cost the U.S. 400,000 jobs between 2001 and 2013.

-How even though you may think you have an American made car, there's a way to tell how American made it really is (something that Scott reveals to the audience while on air)

The website for the Alliance for American Manufacturing is www.AmericanManufacturing.org and their Twitter handle is @KeepitMadeinUSA. Scott's handle is @ScottPaulAAM.

Leslie is rejoined by Fred Redmond, International Vice President of Human Affairs for the United Steelworkers Union (USW).

They discuss why the USW and AFL-CIO endorsed Hillary Clinton for President over Donald Trump.

The USW's website is www.USW.org and their Twitter handle is @SteelWorkers. USW President Leo Gerard's handle is @USWblogger.

(Image Credit: Flickr/Gage Skidmore)

Leslie is joined by Scott N. Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union.

They discuss the economic foresight shown by Alexander Hamilton, specifically in the area of manufacturing. Here is a sample from a piece Scott wrote about this very subject titled "And the Tony Award for Economic Foresight Goes to" (http://tinyurl.com/ho497pd)
- "The organization I’m honored to lead, the Alliance for American Manufacturing, advocates for strengthening American manufacturing through smart public policies. And that’s something that Alexander Hamilton understood right away, even before his service as our nation’s first Treasury Secretary.
During the Revolutionary War, both Hamilton and General George Washington bemoaned the challenges of the colonies’ limited capacity to make their own armaments. George Washington felt so strongly about encouraging industry in our new nation that he made a point of wearing a Made-in-Connecticut suit for his first presidential swearing in.
As Treasury Secretary, Hamilton was tasked with writing America’s first policy ideas to promote manufacturing, which he delivered to the Congress in December of 1791.
Hamilton’s vision included massive investment in our infrastructure and right-sized tariffs to ensure our industries could grow and export, our government could attract revenue, and that our manufacturers could still have access to imported raw materials. He saw the benefits of capital investments in industry."

Scott's Twitter handle is @ScottPaulAAM and the website for AAM is www.AmericanManufacturing.org.

Leslie is rejoined by Stan Johnson, international Secretary-Treasurer for the United Steelwokers Union (USW).

They discuss why Donald Trump is not an advocate for working people and give examples in the areas of wages, trade, healthcare, social security, and collective bargaining.

The USW's website is www.usw.org and their Twitter handles is @Steelworkers. The Twitter handle for USW President Leo Gerard is @USWblogger.

(Image Credit: David Becker/Reuters)

Leslie is rejoined by Doug Bloch, political director for Teamsters Joint Council 7 in Northern California.

They discuss how, for the second time in a month, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters protested at Chipotle locations nationwide this week to demand that Chipotle hold its produce supplier Taylor Farms accountable for egregious health and labor violations.

Leslie is joined by Leo Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers Union (USW). They are joined by callers as they discuss how the Korea free trade deal's failure (it resulted in growing trade deficits and more than 95,000 lost U.S. jobs) should stop America from finalizing approval of the TPP in Congress. This case is especially made strong when taking into context that the Korea free trade deal (KORUS) served as a model for the proposed TPP.

Leo wrote about this in his weekly Huffington Post blog, which can be found here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leo-w-gerard/failure-of-korean-trade-d_b_9865382.html.

The USW's website is www.USW.org. Their Twitter handle is @SteelWorkers and President Gerard's handle is @USWblogger.

(Image Credit: Wikileaks.com)

Leslie is joined by Mike Wright, the Director of Health, Safety and Environment for the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union.

They discuss 'Worker's Memorial Day,' a day to remember those who have suffered and died on the job and to renew the fight for safe jobs. (It falls on April 28th this year)
They also discuss the fight to protect workers from harmful silica particles, which cause the potentially fatal 'silicosis.'

The USW's website is www.USW.org. The Twitter Handle for the USW is @SteelWorkers and the handle for the USW President, Leo Gerard, is @USWblogger.

Leslie is joined by Ed Mooney, CWA (Communications Workers for America) Vice President for the mid-Atlantic region. They discuss the 40,000 Verizon workers striking to save good jobs and ensure quality service for customers. (More info here - http://tinyurl.com/hz8owbf and here - http://tinyurl.com/h82b3xk)

Leslie is joined by Fred Redmond, International Vice President of Human Affairs for the United Steelworkers Union.

They discuss why, last week, the U.S. Labor Department announced new rules to protect workers who have been forced out of secure defined benefit pensions and pushed into risky 401(k) plans and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) over the past 30 years.

The Obama administration estimated that cheating, self-dealing and conflicts-of-interest by financial advisers for 401(k)s and IRAs cost workers $17 billion a year. That should be $17 billion more in workers’ retirement accounts. Every year.
(this info and more can be found in USW President Leo's Gerard's weekly blog on this topic - http://tinyurl.com/qzu9lg5)

The USW's website is www.USW.org. The Twitter handle for the Steel Workers is @Steelworkers and the Twitter handle for USW President Leo Gerard is @USWblogger.