Former Political Director and senior advisor to Richard Trumka with the AFL-CIO, Mike Podhorzer, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his start in the labor movement and political environment. Podhorzer also discussed Trumka's efforts during Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and how workers can fight the misinformation being shared with them daily.
From a young age, Podhorzer loved politics and was influenced by the various events that occurred during his youth. He spent his younger days involved with local political activism until he graduated from politics and found his way to Washington, D.C. He then joined the U.S. political sphere in the country's capital. In the process, he helped establish Working America, which allows members to work with unions and bring a percentage of the union life without being in a union.
During President Obama’s initial run for the Democratic presidential nomination, Richard Trumka assisted by speaking to unions and helped Obama’s campaign receive the full support of the labor movement in 2008. Despite the confrontational nature of Trumka's conversation, he never faced the backlash many expected, Podhorzer said. The reason that union support is such a big thing for potential presidents is that workers constantly share their opinions on candidates and could create an overwhelming support wave for a candidate.
No matter how difficult it has been working in politics, Podhorzer has never shied away from the difficult discussions. To fight against the misinformation floating around various news headlines, workers need to find a way to get engaged on the ground floor. Podhorzer believes joining unions and getting involved with the labor movement is the easiest way. Podhorzer discussed the reasons why he believes locations with greater union density are better able to ignore the misinformation.
To hear more from Podhorzer, please listen to the entire show above.