On today's episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Frank Mathews, Administrative Director for District 4 of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), discussed the significance of First Amendment rights in labor activism, the impending closure of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the union’s endorsements in Ohio’s crucial political races.
First, Mathews reflected on the tragic history of CWA member Jerry Horgan, who was killed on a picket line while exercising his First Amendment rights. His story serves as a reminder of the dangers working people can face when standing up for justice and the importance of never taking those rights for granted, Mathews said. He went on to explain how the union honors Horgan’s legacy by wearing red on Thursdays, a tradition that started as a tribute to Horgan and symbolizes solidarity among CWA members nationwide. He emphasized that speaking out against injustice is ingrained in the American labor movement’s DNA and should be protected at all costs.
Next, Mathews addressed the impending shutdown of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a newspaper with over two centuries of history. He detailed how the fight between ownership and the NewsGuild, a CWA affiliate, centered on defending workers’ healthcare and securing fair contracts. Despite a three-year strike and a U.S. Supreme Court decision in favor of the union, management chose to close the paper rather than work with unionized employees. Mathews characterized this outcome as a deliberate attempt to silence workers and an example of corporate greed trumping the interests of loyal employees, reinforcing the need for strong unions to ensure workplace fairness.
Finally, Mathews discussed the CWA’s political activity, including the endorsement of former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown for reelection and Dr. Amy Acton for Governor of Ohio. He cited Sherrod Brown’s long-standing record of championing working families over corporations as an easy choice for endorsement, especially during tough economic times marked by inflation and healthcare concerns. Comparing the gubernatorial candidates, Mathews highlighted Acton’s commitment to public health, education and tackling government corruption, positioning her as a clear advocate for Ohio workers. According to Mathews, the union’s support for candidates like Brown and Acton is essential to advance policies that protect workers’ rights and livelihoods.
For more from Mathews, listen to the full episode 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.
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