Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Labor Day celebrations, the impact of the current administration on workers' rights and potential redistricting in Ohio. Burga highlighted the importance of unions, the challenges faced by workers and the political landscape in Ohio.
Burga spoke about Labor Day events across Ohio, emphasizing the theme "Better in a Union." He stressed the benefits of union membership, including improved wages, healthcare, job safety and retirement security. However, Burga expressed concern over actions taken by the White House, particularly the disbanding of the National Labor Relations Board, which he sees as a significant setback for workers' rights and union organizing efforts.
The conversation then turned to the political climate in Ohio, with Burga noting a growing dissatisfaction among workers, including those who previously supported the current presidential administration. He highlighted the stark reality that many workers are not better off than a year ago, citing rising costs of groceries, gas, rent and stagnant wages. Burga emphasized the labor movement's role in educating workers about these issues and advocating for change.
Redistricting in Ohio emerged as a critical topic, as Burga expressed concern over potential gerrymandering. He explained that Ohio is the only state in the U.S. required to redraw congressional maps due to a lack of bipartisan agreement two years ago. Burga warned of the possibility of even more "rigged" maps favoring Republicans, despite Ohio not being a 2-to-1 Republican state. He stressed the importance of fair representation and the need to inform workers about the implications of these political maneuvers.
Listen to the full episode for more insights on labor issues and political developments 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.
