Jalen Alexander, SPWU | Fred Redmond, AFL-CIO

Jalen Alexander, President of the Social Policy Workers United — affiliated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 57 — joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the Unfair Labor Practice Strike currently underway by the 170 members of the SPWU. He discussed the history of the first contract efforts after negotiations began nearly two years ago and how what he called near-poverty wages for several workers are causing issues during negotiations.

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the Little Steel Strike that eventually led to the Republic Steel Massacre and how these events would lead to the formation of the United Steelworkers. Redmond also discussed a meeting to help modernize the AFL-CIO’s services to their member organizations, and a new web tool focused on further improving voter education.