1 min read

Season 6, Episode 162

Safety in Steel: Gallagher on plant explosion and union protections

 

 

Guest Name:


Pat Gallagher

Guest Website:


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

Guest Social Media:


Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

LinkedIn

Supportive Documents:


Pat Gallagher, a retired United Steelworker with over 47 years of experience and President of the North Coast Area Labor Federation in Cleveland, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent explosion at a U.S. Steel plant in Pennsylvania, the importance of union safety protocols and upcoming political races in Ohio.

Gallagher began by explaining the potential dangers of steel plants, emphasizing the critical role of union safety programs. He highlighted the United Steelworkers' emergency response team, which provides crucial support during accidents and fatalities. Gallagher noted that while the U.S. Steel plant where the explosion occurred had a good safety record, the steel industry's inherent risks underscore the importance of rigorous safety measures.

Gallagher stressed that union workplaces are statistically safer than non-union facilities, citing U.S. Department of Labor data. He detailed the United Steelworkers' commitment to safety, including dedicated contract provisions and a well-funded safety department, underscoring the union's role in protecting workers and preventing accidents.

Addressing the political landscape in Ohio, Gallagher discussed former Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown's decision to run for his old Senate seat in the upcoming 2026 election. He also highlighted key local races, including the Cleveland City Council elections and suburban mayoral elections.

Listen to the full episode for more from Gallagher on union safety measures and upcoming political races in Ohio.


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.

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