The Leslie Marshall Show

Workers Leading the Way

Leslie is joined by Tom Conway, President of the United Steelworkers (USW), North America’s largest industrial union.
They’re 1.2 million members and retirees strong in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. They proudly represent men and women who work in nearly every industry there is.

The two have a broad conversation about how workers are leading the way in the United States as our society is facing big challenges, from rampant economic inequality to the continuing human and economic toll of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and more.

Here are the subtopics that they covered during the interview, with a big focus on how workers and their unions are taking matters into their own hands to improve their lives, and fight for social and economic justice on a wider scale:

Organizing unions is one of the surest ways to improve wages, ensure safer working conditions and have a voice on the job, and workers in a wide variety of sectors are organizing to draw on their collective power.

- Last fall, 700 workers at Bobcat in Bismarck, N.D., voted to join the USW, and just last week 200 more at a Bobcat facility in Rogers, Minn., did the same.
- Football players in the USFL organized with the USW last year. This year, they overwhelmingly ratified a first contract to help provide safety and stability to their jobs. Now, players in the XFL are also looking to join the USW.

Workers and their unions are leading the way on trade, working to contain bad actors like Russia and China, and foster growth in domestic industries.

Workers are also using their activism to roll back bad laws, like the historic repeal of the so-called right-to-work (RTW) law in Michigan.

USW members have been on the vanguard fighting for less-publicized but equally needed legislation, including bills to help veterans.

The website for the USW is USW.org and their handle on both Twitter and Instagram is @steelworkers.

SCOTUS Hears Arguments Challenging Biden’s Student Loan Cancellation Plan

Leslie begins today's show with her 'Ripped from the Headlines' news segment.

Here are the stories that she gives her take on:

1. ABC NEWS:"Conservative justices question Biden's student loan plan in crucial SCOTUS case "
2. AXIOS: "Why poverty rates are likely to rise this year"
3. AXIOS: "House Dems introduce bill to tighten rail safety measures"
4. ASSOCIATED PRESS: "Biden to nominate Julie Su as next US labor secretary"
5. AXIOS: "Majority of countries guarantee paid paternity leave — but not the U.S."

During the second half of the show, Leslie is joined by Natalia Abrams, President and Founder of the Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC), and a monthly guest host of the Leslie Marshall Show.The SDCC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that centers the needs and voices of borrowers, and partners with allies, to impact public policy and end the student debt crisis.

The two discuss today's "People’s Rally for Student Debt Cancellation" that the SDCC co-organized with over 20 different organizations in attendance at the rally, including the Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC), the NAACP, and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

Hundreds of protesters, many college students from across the country, rallied outside the Supreme Court this morning, carrying signs and posters urging the justices to back President Biden’s effort to cancel some $400 billion in student loan debt.

Democratic lawmakers like Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Robert Menendez and Representatives Ayanna Pressley and Judy Chu addressed supporters of the plan from the steps of the Supreme Court.

The SDCC's website is StudentDebtCrisis.org and their handle on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook is @DebtCrisisOrg. Natalia's Twitter handle is @NataliaAbrams.

Biden Administration’s Approach to EV Chargers and ’Buy America’ Rules

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union.

The two discuss:

1. "The Biden Administration Issues Standards for American-made EV Chargers" (by AAM's Matthew McMullan)

2. The Biden Administration's Approach on EV Chargers is Helping to Turbocharge Growth in this Manufacturing Sector (from Scott Paul Twitter thread)

3. The Columbus Dispatch: "For good of Ohio, Biden, government must give teeth to Buy America" (Opinion piece by Scott Paul)

4. NBC News: "'A serious committee': Lawmakers have high bipartisan hopes for China panel as tensions rise"

For over 16 years, Mr. Paul and AAM have worked to make American manufacturing a top-of-mind issue for voters and our national leaders through effective advocacy, innovative research, and a savvy public relations strategy.

WEBSITEs: 1. AmericanManufacturing.org
2. Please join us in telling your state transportation officials to make sure that our new infrastructure is Made in the USA! Take action by visiting TinyURL.com/EnforceBuyAmerica

TWITTER: 1. AAM - @KeepItMadeInUSA 2. Scott Paul - @ScottPaulAAM

House GOP Holding Economy Hostage for Social Security & Medicare Cuts; Two California Mass-Shootings in Three Days

Leslie is joined by Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.

Here are the topics that the two discussed:

1. THE HILL: "Institutional anarchy prevails in the GOP House " by Brad Bannon

2. TIME: "What the U.S. Hitting the Debt Ceiling Means for You"

3. REUTERS: "California reels from back-to-back shootings that killed 18"

4. AXIOS: "Atlanta district attorney pushes to keep Trump election report secret"

Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles.
You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His Twitter handle is @BradBannon.

National Security Requires Sound Trade Policy

Leslie will be joined by Tom Conway, President of the United Steelworkers (USW), North America’s largest industrial union. 
They’re 1.2 million members and retirees strong in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. They proudly represent men and women who work in nearly every industry there is.

The two will have a broad conversation about how national security requires sound trade policy.

Here are the subtopics that they'll be covering during the interview:

Manufacturing in key sectors like steel and aluminum underpins national security, providing vital resources for our military and helping the nation meet its critical infrastructure needs.

Section 232s have been an essential part of this since 2018. While there have been some modifications in relations to trading partners like the European Union and the United Kingdom, these measures remain an essential part in ensuring the U.S. can protect itself and rebuild its infrastructure.

Facing global overcapacity, largely driven by China’s unfair trade practices, 232 relief measures worked –and are continuing to work – as intended.

- In steel, they improved industry conditions, spurred investments, and directly created thousands of new jobs.
- They also allowed for needed capital investments so that U.S. steelmakers can continue to produce some of the best, cleanest steel in the world.
- And domestic steel is underpinning the massive infrastructure upgrades we’re making in communities across the country thanks to President Biden’s vision and leadership.

This is why a recent ruling by the World Trade Organization (WTO) was not only deeply flawed, but also dangerous. A recent decision by the dispute panel of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, (USMCA), raises similar concerns about overreach.

- The WTO has no standing to interfere with national security, and its attempt to do so undermines the credibility of the entire organization.
- Allowing China to join the WTO, more than 20 years ago, was a mistake that has allowed the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to leverage its position and continue its predatory practices.
- Overcapacity, dumping, and illegal subsidies remain urgent concerns – which the WTO again made clear it is not equipped to address.
- Until we have a broader reform of our trade system, we must instead rely on the tools we have at our disposal like filing trade cases and keeping the 232 relief measures in place.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine also reinforced how critical trade is to national security.

- The U.S. aluminum industry was already struggling, and then last year Century Aluminum Company idled its smelter in Hawesville, Ky.. They were the last domestic producer of commercial quantities of military-grade aluminum remaining after decades of foreign competition undercut the U.S. industry.
- Energy prices caused by the war are also hurting European Aluminum producers, leaving markets open to Russian exports.
- Sanctions on Russian aluminum will be a critical part of keeping not only the U.S. but the whole world safe, as will bringing new smelting capacity online.

As we look to the future, domestic production and sound trade policy will be essential in another aspect of our national security: meeting our energy needs.

- There is tremendous potential in areas like offshore wind, and the Biden administration is working to build out our domestic industry and secure the supply chain this industry will need to be successful.

- Europe has a significant lead.
- And China is ramping up production. Chinese producers are currently able to produce relatively inexpensive products because they can rely on the country’s overcapacity in steel, dominance in rare earths, and control over the supply chain, setting up a “race to the bottom.”
- So the U.S. needs to act quickly.

The previous administration made it clear that we cannot exist in a vacuum when it comes to trade, that we need careful coordination with trusted partners. This is why it is crucial that we’re deliberate in our work in the Indo-Pacific region. 

- The administration’s Indo-Pacific Economic Framework contains important priorities, including strong labor and environmental standards.
- However, it’s essential that the agreement adheres to worker-centered values, and that the U.S. selects only partners who are serious about realizing these goals, and intend to meet its terms.
- Only then will this new chapter make our trade policy sounder – and our nation safer.

The website for the United Steelworkers is www.USW.org. Their handle on Twitter and Instagram is @steelworkers.

Student Debt Cancellation Heads to Supreme Court

Student Debt Cancellation is heading to the Supreme Court in just a few weeks. Hear from SDCC leaders and their special guest, Mike Pierce, about what borrowers can expect leading up to SCOTUS, as well as afterwards. The hosts will also briefly discuss President Biden's new student loan repayment plan.

The Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that centers the needs and voices of borrowers, and partners with allies, to impact public policy and end the student debt crisis.

Today's SDCC guest hosts are President and Founder, Natalia Abrams, Executive Director, Cody Hounanian, and Managing Director, Sabrina Calazans.
They're joined by special guest Mike Pierce, Executive Director of the Student Borrower Protection Center.

The SDCC website is StudentDebtCrisis.org and their handle on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook is @DebtCrisisOrg.

The Student Borrower Protection Center's website is protectborrowers.org and their Twitter handle is @theSBPC.

AAM’S 2022 ’Made in America Holiday Gift Guide’

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union. 

The two discuss the following topics:

1. Most Consumers Want to Buy U.S.-Made Holiday Gifts (https://industrytoday.com/most-consumers-want-to-buy-u-s-made-holiday-gifts/)

2. AAM's 2022 Made in America Holiday Gift Guide (https://www.americanmanufacturing.org/blog/the-2022-made-in-america-holiday-gift-guide/)
OR
Sharable link: http://www.tinyurl.com/2022AAM

3. President Biden is in Arizona today to talk about semiconductor manufacturing (https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/06/business/tsmc-arizona-investment/index.html)

4. Congress should end “normal trade relations” with China (https://thehill.com/opinion/international/3759785-its-time-to-revoke-chinas-normalized-trade-relations/)

For over 16 years, Mr. Paul and AAM have worked to make American manufacturing a top-of-mind issue for voters and our national leaders through effective advocacy, innovative research, and a savvy public relations strategy.

WEBSITEs: 1. AmericanManufacturing.org 

TWITTER: 1. AAM - @KeepItMadeInUSA  2. Scott Paul - @ScottPaulAAM

The New Teamsters: Bigger, Faster, Stronger

Leslie is joined by Sean O'Brien, General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.  Sean is a 4th-generation Teamster from Boston, and at 50 years                                                            old, the youngest Teamsters General President. He was sworn in March 2022. The Teamsters Union, founded in 1903, represents 1.2 million workers across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.
The website for the Teamsters is Teamsters.org and their handle on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram is @Teamsters.  Sean's Twitter handle is @TeamsterSOB.

The two discuss:

- What Sean hopes to accomplish as Teamsters President

- How the Teamsters is becoming a bigger, faster, stronger and more militant union (a goal of Sean's)

- Who the Teamsters are comprised of as a Union (they're a diverse union and they represent workers throughout the supply chain – skies, rails, roads…)

- The Teamsters-UPS contract expires July 31, 2023. Covering 340,000 Teamster members, it is the single largest collective bargaining agreement in North America. Teamsters are ready to fight for a strong contract at UPS, or hit the pavement on August 1st.

 - What are the Teamsters plans for Amazon (they just formed a new Amazon division and visited their headquarters with a message for the company)

- The Teamsters are a Union that organizes.  Sean shares where they've been doing this organizing.

- How the Teamsters are involved politically in the U.S.

How Healthcare Workers Are Taking Safety Into Their Own Hands

Leslie is joined by Tamara Lefcowitz, International Coordinator for the USW Health Care Workers Council. Tamara provides support to the union’s more than 50,000 health care workers across the United States and Canada. Tamara got her start as a community organizer in 2006, investigating police misconduct for the City of Pittsburgh Citizen Police Review Board. In 2009, she began working with organized labor advocating for health care workers. She now proudly bargains contracts, trains activists, and organizes workers to advocate for themselves, their patients, and our communities.

The two discuss how healthcare workers are taking safety into their own hands.

Health care workers made incredible sacrifices to help their communities during the Covid-19 pandemic, relying on each other to protect their patients and themselves. Now, they’re using that same solidarity to make huge improvements to their jobs, their workplaces and America’s care system.

Even before the pandemic, health care workers faced urgent threats to their workplace health and safety.

Workplace violence has long been a problem for health care workers. In 2016 the GAO found that health care workers were at least five times more likely to experience violence on the job as workers in other industries.

Now, threats against health care workers are rising. Legislation like the Workplace Violence Prevention for Healthcare and Social Service Workers Act would help provide meaningful protections, like compelling OSHA to establish an enforceable workplace violence standard. Unfortunately, it’s been twice held up in the Senate.

Longstanding problems with maintaining appropriate staffing levels were also exacerbated by the pandemic and also jeopardize health care workers’ health.

Nursing shortages are a real and urgent concern.
But turnover in other positions like environmental services and dietary also hurts workers across the board and the care they can provide.

The pandemic created additional hazards for health care workers, like a lack of adequate PPE and exposed glaring holes in the safety net, like the lack of OSHA guidance on infectious diseases.

More than 3,600 health care workers died in the first year of the pandemic alone.
And more than half are still reporting symptoms of burnout.

This ended up putting not only health care workers at risk, but their patients and communities as well. Now, workers are taking matters into their own hands.

One of the big things health care workers are doing is organizing.

New research from the AFL-CIO shows that 71 percent of health care workers would join a union if they had the chance.
Late last year roughly 500 Pittsburgh area health care workers voted unanimously to join the USW for a voice on the job.

Unionized health care workers are also winning good contracts.
Approximately 800 USW members at Oroville Hospital in Oroville, Calif., this fall ratified a contract that not only provides significant wage increases, but also establishes a labor-management safety committee that gives a real voice to the front-line workers who best know how to address the hazards they and their patients face every day.

USW members at Copper Country Mental health in Houghton, Mich., just this week ratified a contract that includes hard-fought workplace violence language.

Nurses at three Steward Health Care hospitals in Florida achieved protections from unsafe scheduling and the creation of an infectious disease task force in their new agreement, while workers at Kaleida Health in New York successfully fought for wages increases, a health and safety committee and the health system’s commitment to create 500 new positions to address unsafe staffing issues.

All of these successes come down to building relationships and working together – another way the USW is tackling workplace health and safety concerns in the health care sector – including a pilot program aimed at worker education and empowerment.

This collective action is now resulting in better patient outcomes, more inspections for workplace hazards and better access to personal protective equipment (PPE), among many other advantages, making it good not only for workers but for whole communities.

The website for the USW is www.USW.org and their handle on both Twitter and Instagram is @steelworkers. Tamara's Twitter handle is @TLefcowitz.

Despite Slim Majority, Democrats Notched Major Achievements for Workers and Their Families

Leslie is joined by Kim Miller, who serves as an Assistant to USW International President Tom Conway. She primarily works on political and legislative projects, including overseeing much of the union’s member-to-member outreach around the 2022 midterm elections.

The two discuss how Democrats, despite currently having just a slim majority in both houses of Congress, have worked with President Biden to notch major achievements in favor of workers and their families.

While some don’t garner as much attention in the headlines as they deserve, many of these accomplishments are truly historic.
- This includes a once-in-a-generation win on infrastructure, investing $1.2 trillion in our roads, bridges, ports and more.
Politicians have been saying for years that they had an infrastructure plan, but this administration and this Congress actually delivered.
- In addition to transportation infrastructure, this includes $55 billion to deliver clean drinking water to millions of Americans.
- And a further $65 billion to help ensure every American has access to reliable high-speed internet.
- This not only will make our communities safer, it will create and sustain good, union jobs and help us maintain our economic competitiveness.
- USW members up and down the supply chain are providing and will continue to provide the goods and services needed to make this infrastructure upgrade a reality.

Congressional democrats were also finally able to achieve a major victory on behalf of 1.2 million workers whose retirements were in jeopardy because of troubled multi-employer pension plans.
- These workers stood to lose everything as a result of a convergence of corporate greed, unfair trade, deregulation and the financial crisis.
- American Rescue Plan was a significant achievement in its own right, but one of the lesser-known, but hugely important things it did was shore up multi-employer pension plans so these workers could retire in dignity.
- Even though there wasn’t a single Republican who voted for this plan, years of worker-led advocacy and Democratic action mean that more than a million families’ future is more secure.

Democrats also delivered another sweeping victory for ordinary Americans this summer with the Inflation Reduction Act.
- Among its many provisions, it will lower prescription drug prices by allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices for seniors and instituting inflation caps for Medicare prescription drugs and improvements to prescription benefits. The law also prevents a premium spike for Affordable Care Act enrollees.
- It will also build out our nation’s capacity for solar, wind and other sources of renewable energy, which will create good, domestic manufacturing jobs and help break our dangerous dependence on foreign producers to meet our needs.
- At the same time, providing incentives for a wide variety of technologies like carbon capture, direct air capture, and nuclear power will help ensure that our steel and other critical industries remain among the cleanest in the world.

Not all of the work has been legislative.
- Instituting a new pro-worker direction at the National Labor Relations Board means that workers have real advocates in an agency that is supposed to be protecting their rights.
One of Biden’s first actions was to remove pro-corporate, anti-worker Peter Robb as NLRB general counsel.
The Senate also confirmed two more board members that Biden nominated who are re-balancing the way the board works toward workers’ rights.
- Just as importantly, Biden nominated a union member to run the Department of Labor and put workers and their advocates in key positions overseeing safety.
- Biden issued executive orders in support of American manufacturing, including establishing the new Made in America office to review any request to bypass the rules and maximize domestically-manufactured components for federal projects.
- And a new inter-agency task force on worker organizing and empowerment is harnessing the power of all government agencies to advance workers’ rights.

In order to keep up this momentum, working people will need to vote in the midterm elections. Republicans made it clear that they stand against many pro-worker initiatives and intend to tip the balance back to pro-corporate interests if elected.

The website for the United Steelworkers is USW.org and their handle on both Twitter and Instagram is @steelworkers.  Kim's Twitter handle is @kimkmiller.