Frank Mathews, Administrative Director for District 4 of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to provide his thoughts on skyrocketing health care costs, the dangerous implications of the “One Touch Make Ready” (OTMR) utility pole policy and the ongoing need to protect worker safety in the face of deregulation.
Mathews began by discussing what he called the “increasing burden of health care costs,” especially on those who rely on the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace plans. He highlighted that recent legislative changes are set to leave many working and retired Americans facing premiums that are as much as $1,200 to $1,500 more per month. Mathews stressed that healthcare affordability is an issue that cuts across party lines, and he encouraged listeners to participate in a virtual town hall organized by Policy Matters Ohio. These events will feature information and resources to help workers protect their coverage and identify solutions to a growing concern.
Shifting focus, Mathews then addressed the issue of worker safety around the “One Touch Make Ready” (OTMR) utility pole policy. Mathews said this measure, backed by the Federal Communications Commission, would allow outside entities to make modifications to utility poles. He warned that this could potentially bypass regulations and safety standards that unionized, highly trained professionals have historically maintained. Mathews described the hazards of having unqualified, often non-union contractors perform these tasks, warning that it could inevitably lead to unsafe conditions and risk damaging critical infrastructure. The policy, he argued, amounts to a race to the bottom where speed trumps safety, and regulations designed to protect workers and communities are brushed aside.
Mathews concluded by emphasizing the longstanding commitment of union utility workers to rigorous safety practices, echoing the principle that no job is so urgent it can’t be done safely. He expressed concern that OTMR could undermine existing labor contracts and create scenarios where poorly trained workers endanger themselves and others. Mathews called for education and advocacy, urging workers and concerned citizens to contact their representatives and make their voices heard against these unsafe changes. As he wrapped up, Mathews reiterated the importance of strong union protections, safe working environments and public awareness in defending the rights and safety of American workers in a rapidly changing landscape.
For more from Mathews, listen to the full episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast 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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