Working to Live in Southwest Washington

An Amazing Year For Working People: Talking About The Wins With Don McIntosh and David Groves

We don't have to tell you that 2023 was an amazing year for working people. Big strikes, big contract wins and new organizing campaigns grabbed the headlines this year, and public support for organized Labor soared to new heights.

With the end of the year just around the corner, Harold sits down with Northwest Labor Press (https://nwlaborpress.org/) Editor-in-Chief Don McIntosh and The Stand's (https://www.thestand.org/) Editor-in-Chief David Groves to talk about what made 2023 so special and what this year's wins for working people might tell us about the year to come.

Before we get to the New Year, though, some of you probably have  some last-minute holiday shopping to do! Check the AFL-CIO's Union Made Holiday Gift Guide (https://aflcio.org/MadeInAmerica/holiday-gifts) for some great American made - and UNION MADE - gifts.

Remember working people in Southwest Washington, this is YOUR podcast! Email us at podcast@swwaclc.org and let us know what you think about the show, and what you'd like to hear in future episodes!

We're a proud member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network - find more radio shows and podcasts that speak to working people about working people's issues at www.LaborRadioNetwork.org.

”We’re Fighting For Your Kids” - Reflections On This Year’s Educators Strikes

The Portland Association of Teachers strike is over - but we thought our sisters, brothers and siblings' struggle across the river to the south gave us a great opportunity to look back on this year's educator strikes here in Southwest Washington.

Evergreen Education Association Vice President Marj Hogan and Camas Education Association Vice President Michael Sanchez sit down with Harold to discuss why their two unions went on strike, what the experience was like, and what they gained for their members... and their students!

Remember working people in Southwest Washington, this is YOUR podcast! Email us at podcast@swwaclc.org and let us know what you think about the show, and what you'd like to hear in future episodes!

We're a proud member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network - find more radio shows and podcasts that speak to working people about working people's issues at www.LaborRadioNetwork.org.

What Is A Convention, And Why Do Unions Have Them?

It's Labor Day weekend, and there's a lot to celebrate this year - including polling that says over 2/3 of Americans are in favor of unions (https://thehill.com/business/4176862-two-thirds-of-americans-support-unions-poll/!) We hope you'll join us in celebrating this news and much more at our annual Labor Day Picnic at Haydu Park in Kalama (https://tinyurl.com/yednnuh5) - and if you're listening to this month's show outside of Southwest Washington, that you'll find a Labor Day picnic near you at https://aflcio.org/laborday.

We know a lot of people have joined unions this year (and a lot more people are interested in them.)  We wanted to take this opportunity to share some inside information about unions those who are new to the movement may not know much about - union Conventions. Harold talks with WFSE Local 313 (https://www.wfse.org/) member Joshua Eaton and IBEW 48 (https://www.ibew48.com/) member (and Southwest Washington Central Labor Council Secretary Treasurer) Kevin Lux about what Conventions are and why they're so important.

 

Remember working people in Southwest Washington, this is YOUR podcast! Email us at podcast@swwaclc.org and let us know what you think about the show, and what you'd like to hear in future episodes!

We're a proud member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network - find more radio shows and podcasts that speak to working people about working people's issues at www.LaborRadioNetwork.org.

Does It Really Make A Difference? With Courtney Braddock and Suzanne Southerland

#LaborRadioPod

If you have an email address in this day and age, your inbox is probably crammed with messages asking for help. They ask you to sign an online petition... or write a letter... or show up at an event... and as more and more come in, you might begin to wonder if opening these messages will really make any difference - or if you should just hit the "Delete" key.

WPEA (https://www.wpea.org/) Steward Courtney Braddock and Clark College Association For Higher Education (https://www.ccahe.org/) President Suzanne Southerland sit down with Harold to share just how much of a difference people's reading - and acting on - messages like these made when they were fighting to save jobs at Clark College, and why the smallest actions can make a BIG difference.

Remember working people in Southwest Washington, this is YOUR podcast! Email us at podcast@swwaclc.org and let us know what you think about the show, and what you'd like to hear in future episodes!

We're a proud member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network - find more radio shows and podcasts that speak to working people about working people's issues at www.LaborRadioNetwork.org.

How Do We Celebrate The People Who Made A Difference For Working Families Last Year?

Organized Labor had a GREAT year in 2022 as working people around the country and right here in Southwest Washington organized their workplaces and stood up for their rights on the job.

Too often the people who dedicate their time and energy to making things better for those working people don't get the recognition they deserve, but the Southwest Washington Central Labor Council and Cowlitz Wahkiakum Central Labor Council are making sure they get their due with the second annual Southwest Washington Labor Awards on February 25th at the Vancouver Hilton (https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/pdxvahh-hilton-vancouver-washington/.)

CWCLC President Cameron Wilkinson, CWCLC Secretary Treasurer Diana Winther and SWWACLC President Shaun Gundert join Harold to talk about the awards, how this year's ceremony will be different than last year's... and they even manage to make him blush!

Find out more the Southwest Washington Labor Awards, how you can nominate someone for an award, and how you can sponsor the ceremony or buy tickets at either of the organization's web sites:

https://www.swwaclc.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_article.cfm&HomeID=885136

or

https://cwclc.org/news/who-made-difference-working-people-our-region-2022 

Remember working people in Southwest Washington, this is YOUR podcast! Email us at podcast@swwaclc.org and let us know what you think about the show, and what you'd like to hear in future episodes!

We're a proud member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network - find more radio shows and podcasts that speak to working people about working people's issues at www.LaborRadioNetwork.org.

New Leadership For A New Year

As you may have already heard, the Southwest Washington Central Labor Council is kicking off 2023 with new leadership.

Harold talks with new SWWACLC Executive Board member Kevin Fanning (a member of UA 290 - https://ua290.org/) and new President Shaun Gundert (a member of the Evergreen Education Association - https://www.eeaoffice.com/) about their vision for the Central Labor Council and their plans for the coming year.

Stick around to the end, working people, to find out about our upcoming Labor Awards Dinner at the Vancouver Hilton on February 25th! Find out more about the Southwest Washington Labor Awards, how you can attend, and how you can nominate the award winners at https://tinyurl.com/mrjke3uu!

Remember working people in Southwest Washington, this is YOUR podcast! Email us at podcast@swwaclc.org and let us know what you think about the show, and what you'd like to hear in future episodes!

We're a proud member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network - find more radio shows and podcasts that speak to working people about working people's issues at www.LaborRadioNetwork.org.

What Can We Do About The High Cost Of Living With Duncan Camacho and John Zingale

#LaborRadioPod

It's no secret that things are tough out there. The cost of everything seems to be on the rise, and working people are feeling the pinch.

Two Southwest Washington union members who are running for the state House of Representatives sit down with Shannon and Harold to talk about what can be done to fix the high cost of living - Duncan Camacho (https://www.duncanforstatehouse.com/) and John Zingale (https://www.electjohnzingale.com/.)

Want to meet Duncan and John in person? Join the Southwest Washington Central Labor Council for our Labor Neighbor Canvass at the LiUNA 335 hall in Vancouver on October 15 at 10:00 AM - find out more information at https://tinyurl.com/4bxed682.

There are some working people at locations throughout the Pacific Northwest who are feeling the pinch even more right now: the woodworkers striking against timber giant Weyerhaeuser! Visit https://www.iamw24.org/iam-professionals to find out how you can support these workers standing up against a multimillion dollar company that wants to CUT their benefits even as it's reporting record profits.

Remember working people in Southwest Washington, this is YOUR podcast! Email us at podcast@swwaclc.org and let us know what you think about the show, and what you'd like to hear in future episodes!

We're a proud member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network - find more radio shows and podcasts that speak to working people about working people's issues at www.LaborRadioNetwork.org.

Why Are So Many Union Members Running For Office?

#LaborRadioPod

Happy Labor Day Working People! Do we have a lot to celebrate this year or what? Did you see the latest Gallup poll on support for unions in the US? (https://news.gallup.com/poll/398303/approval-labor-unions-highest-point-1965.aspx)

Something else to celebrate is the number of union members who are stepping up to run for office! Two of those union members - Terri Niles (https://voteterriniles.com/) and Joe Kear (https://www.joekear.com/) - sit down with Shannon and Harold to talk about why they decided to run and how their union membership affects their campaigns.

Want to meet Terri, Joe and the other union members running for office in person? Come join us at our Labor Day Picnic in Kalama (https://tinyurl.com/yc8mafx6) on September 5th from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  You'll get to meet the candidates, listen to music, and enjoy free food from our union caterer, SPIN Catering (https://portlandcatering.com/) PLUS there will be kids games and face painting. You won't want to miss it!

Be sure you don't miss a special Labor Day surprise in this episode courtesy of the Meany Labor Archive (http://www.nlc.edu/archives/) 

Remember working people in Southwest Washington, this is YOUR podcast! Email us at podcast@swwaclc.org and let us know what you think about the show, and what you'd like to hear in future episodes!

We're a proud member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network - find more radio shows and podcasts that speak to working people about working people's issues at www.LaborRadioNetwork.org.

 

 

How Can We Be There For The Firefighters Who Are There For Us?

#LaborRadioPod

Ballots for the August 2nd election (https://clark.wa.gov/elections/august-2-2022-primary-special-election) are headed to Clark County voters' mailboxes - but those ballots contain more than just political candidates asking for your vote in Washington's top-two primary (if you haven't made your decision on who to vote for in the primary, be sure to check out the Southwest Washington Central Labor Council's endorsements at https://www.swwaclc.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_article.cfm&HomeID=875277) 

Shannon and Harold get the lowdown on two important fire levies  that are also on the ballot from Vancouver Firefighter and IAFF 452 (http://www.iaff452.org/) Political Director Kevin Hart:

The Clark County Fire District 5 Levy Lid Lift - https://ccfd5.org/Levy-Lid-Lift-for-Fire-EMS 

and

The Clark County Fire District 6 Replacement Levy -  https://ccfd6.org/ems-levy/ 

Plus Kevin shares information on how YOU can become a professional firefighter!

Remember working people in Southwest Washington, this is YOUR podcast! Email us at podcast@swwaclc.org and let us know what you think about the show, and what you'd like to hear in future episodes!

We're a proud member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network - find more radio shows and podcasts that speak to working people about working people's issues at www.LaborRadioNetwork.org.

What Is Vancouver USA Pride - And Why Does It Happen In July?

#LaborRadioPod

June is coming to an end - but that doesn't mean we're done honoring and celebrating members of the LGBTQ+ community here in Southwest Washington! Vancouver USA Pride (https://vanusapride.org/) keeps the party going on July 9th at Esther Short Park in Downtown Vancouver.

Shannon and Harold sit down with three members of Vancouver USA Pride's Board - Brian Beliel, Jennifer Lanier and Dustina Haase-Lanier - to find out why Pride is so important for working people (no matter what their sexual orientation or gender identity might be,) why Vancouver's event is so much later than other Pride celebrations, and what working families can expect when they attend this year's event.

The Southwest Washington Central Labor Council and several of its affiliated unions are proud to sponsor this year's Vancouver USA Pride, and you or your organization can sponsor the event too - https://vanusapride.org/be-a-sponsor-or-vendor/!

Vancouver USA Pride is also looking for volunteers to make the day go smoothly - sign up to volunteer at https://signup.com/go/gReYMWP.

Want to join Southwest Washington's news Pride At Work (https://www.prideatwork.org/) chapter?  Visit https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/join-pride-at-work and choose to be an "At Large" member, then email the Pride At Work team at info@prideatwork.org and let them know you want to join the new Southwest Washington chapter!

Remember working people in Southwest Washington, this is YOUR podcast! Email us at podcast@swwaclc.org and let us know what you think about the show, and what you'd like to hear in future episodes!

We're a proud member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network - find more radio shows and podcasts that speak to working people about working people's issues at www.LaborRadioNetwork.org.