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Season 4, Episode 163

Big labor win in Ohio as the voters deny Issue 1

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Guest Name:

Pat Gallagher

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https://unionhall.aflcio.org/north-coast-area-labor-federation 

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Pat Gallagher, President of the North Coast AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast following his recent retirement from the United Steelworkers to discuss several regional events. Gallagher discussed the win over State Issue 1, the issues with gerrymandering in Ohio and the U.S. Steel sale.

The defeat of Issue 1 was  a big win for organized labor and workers all across Ohio, Gallagher said. The vote showed that the state is not as red as once thought. While previous votes and elections have made it seem that way, Gallagher believes it’s a purple state with a good mix of voters from both parties. If the message is right and voters are engaged properly, anyone can win in Ohio, he said.

There remain concerns about gerrymandering and redistricting efforts in Ohio. A proposed bill would establish a redistricting plan without using political officials, instead opting for a neutral board. While Gallagher likes the concept that it’s trying to be fair, he also believes it won’t be able to move forward without politicians being involved. The politicians need to create a fair map for the state, which is the only thing that matters, he said. 

U.S. Steel is currently up for sale with multiple bidders. Cleveland-Cliffs, ArcelorMittal and Esmark Inc. are the remaining bidders. The USW failed in its bid to purchase the company, but they aren’t staying out of the bidding process. The Steelworkers have stated they will only support the bid by Cleveland-Cliffs, as they are the most likely to use union labor.

To hear more from Pat Gallagher, press the play button above.

America’s Work Force is the only daily labor podcast in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America's workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues.

America’s Work Force Union Podcast is brought to you in part by our sponsors: AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees, American Federation of Musicians Local 4, American Alliance for Manufacturing, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Communication Workers of America, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6, Ironworkers Great Lakes District Council, The Labor Citizen newspaper, Laborers International Union of The National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, North America, North Coast Area Labor Federation, Ohio Federation of Teachers, Survey and Ballot Systems, United Labor Agency, United Steelworkers.

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