Giving thanks for organized labor and their achievements in history

Picture of awfblog awfblog November 26, 2024

America's Work Force Union Podcast AWF

AWF-Blogo-Logos-Template-400x400_AWF

Guest Name:

Tom Buffenbarger

Guest Website:

Guest Social Media:

Supportive Documents:

As Thanksgiving approaches, Tom Buffenbarger, retired General President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to reflect on the union moments, recent and past, that are worthy of our thanks.

In recent news, the Machinists have signed a contract agreement at Boeing. Buffenbarger highlighted the substantial wage increases and improvements in 401(k) plans achieved by the workers.

Despite the contract victories, challenges remain, particularly regarding Boeing's underfunded defined benefit pension plan, Buffenbarger said. He emphasized the need for Boeing to collaborate with the union to address ongoing issues and foster a more cooperative relationship. Among the topics that concern him is Boeing's potential expansion, which could impact union jobs.

Reflecting on the broader contributions of unions, Buffenbarger expressed gratitude for the achievements that have shaped the American workforce. The right to collective bargaining and the establishment of the eight-hour workday are among these achievements. As the political landscape evolves, Buffenbarger urged union members to remain vigilant and continue advocating for the rights and benefits they have fought hard to secure.

Listen to the full episode to hear more from Buffenbarger.

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, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes-IBT, Boyd Watterson, Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Communication Workers of America, Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, 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, Melwood, The Labor Citizen newspaper, Laborers International Union of North America, The National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, North Coast Area Labor Federation, Ohio Federation of Teachers, United Labor Agency, United Steelworkers.

Giving thanks for organized labor and their achievements in history

SUBSCRIBE ON:

FEA remains optimistic despite Florida’s attack on public unions

EWOC and AEA's role in Drunk Shakespeare's first contract

As healthcare costs increase, unions look to new ways to manage costs

RECENT EPISODES

FEA remains optimistic despite Florida’s attack on public unions

EWOC and AEA's role in Drunk Shakespeare's first contract

As healthcare costs increase, unions look to new ways to manage costs

SUBSCRIBE

NEWSLETTER