Council 4 Unplugged

What union members need to know about the 2022 election in Connecticut Oct 15, 2022

Council 4 Unplugged co-hosts Renee Hamel and Lauren Takores speak with former Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill on the early voting ballot measure, and with Council 4 Legislative & Political Director Zak Leavy and Council 4 PEOPLE Committee Chair Stephen Wierbicki on member political engagement.

Fighting for a Fair Contract and Blood Donor Safety. May 14, 2022

Front-line blood collection workers employed by the American Red Cross are rallying for a fair contract and safe staffing levels. AFSCME Local 3145 President Joe Tine and Council 4 Staff Rep Scott Soares join us to discuss how and Red Cross workers are mobilizing in Connecticut and nationwide.

Click here to tell Red Cross that front line workers deserve a fair contract

Reflections on Black History Month Feb 12, 2022

Council 4 member-leaders Harold Brooks (Local 3144), Patricia Davis (Local 318) and Claudine Wilkins-Chambers (Local 3429) reflect on Black History Month and the role unions must play in strengthening labor and civil rights.

A Conversation with CT AFL-CIO Leadership Nov 12, 2021

Council 4 Unplugged co-hosts Renee Hamel and Larry Dorman visit with the newly elected Connecticut AFL-CIO leaders, President Ed Hawthorne and Executive Vice President Shellye Davis.

The privatization of everything Oct 21, 2021

Donald Cohen, executive director of In the Public Interest, joins us to discuss his new book, “The Privatization of Everything.”

Hurt on the Job? Know Your Rights! Sep 07, 2021

On this episode we discuss what to do when you're hurt on the job, trends in workers compensation policy and the important role unions play in advocating for injured workers. Our guests are Eric Rentz of the CT Workers Compensation Commission and Council 4 Rep Brett Owen, who chairs our union's Workers Compensation Committee.

Tackling Mental Health Issues on the Job Jul 22, 2021

A team of occupational safety experts and front-line correctional employees is developing the tools to help workers cope with job-related mental health stressors. The study holds great promise not just for prison employees, but all workers. Our guests are Asst. Professor Sara Namazi of Springfield College; AFSCME Local 391 President Collin Provost; and Local 391 Executive Board member Stan Sudduth.

Update on the 2021 Legislative Session. Jun 01, 2021

With less than 2 weeks away from the end of the legislative session, Council 4 Legislative and Political Coordinator, Brian Anderson, takes us through where we are at with passing a fair budget and important bills that will protect and uplift workers. We also discuss the importance of the PEOPLE Committee and being engaged in this year’s municipal election.

Click here to urge Governor Lamont and your legislators to provide pandemic hazard pay to essential workers

The Dilemma of Defunding & Solutions for A Recovery For All. Apr 09, 2021

Connecticut is well situated to make genuine progress in addressing its core economic problems by investing in public services, however that has not been the case since the Great Recession. Jennifer Klein, Yale History Professor, and Shahrzad Habibi, In The Public Interest Research and Policy Director, join us to discuss their report “Austerity Versus Reinvestment.” Ed Hawthorne, Vice President of AFSCME Local 269, also shares how disinvestment has hurt the CT Department of Labor in helping unemployed residents impacted by the pandemic.

Click here to read the “Austerity Versus Reinvestment” report

Click here to learn more about the Rally For A Fully Funded DOL on Saturday, April 17.

Talking Inequality Feb 01, 2021

Connecticut is plagued by the inter-related problems of wealth inequality and a regressive tax structure. COVID-19 has made it all worse. Emily Byrne, the Executive Director of CT Voices, addresses these issues and provides useful policy prescriptions.

Election Wrap-Up and Worker Agenda For 2021 Nov 25, 2020

In this two-part series, we discuss the statewide election and worker-focused policy priorities for the next legislative session. Our guests include two new legislators, State Representatives-Elect Kate Farrar (West Hartford) and Mike DiGiovancarlo (Waterbury), as well as Council 4 Political and Legislative Coordinators, Brian Anderson and Zak Leavy.

Engaging Voters In The Pandemic Oct 20, 2020

Election day is almost here and COVID-19 has changed the voting landscape. Secretary of State Denise Merrill and Local 2663 member and New Haven Alderperson Jeanette Morrison join us to talk about how they're working to engage voters ahead of Nov. 3.

Safe Schools in the Age of COVID-19 Sep 22, 2020

On this episode, we explore the challenges of safely reopening our public schools during COVID-19. Our guests are on the frontline of representing school employees: Council 4 Secretary Stacie Harris-Byrdsong of AFSCME Local 3194 (Capitol Region Education Council); Dan McGinley of AFSCME Local 1303-087 (Putnam Custodians); and Council 4 Staff Representative Tricia Santos.

#SaveThe600 Aug 19, 2020

Michele Evermore of the National Employment Law Project and Xavier Gordon of AFSCME Local 269 (representing the CT Department of Labor) join us to discuss the struggles facing unemployed workers and the political fight over unemployment insurance benefits.

Fund the Front Lines Jun 11, 2020

Congressman Joe Courtney from CT’s 2nd District joins us to talk about the impact of the pandemic, and the need for a robust federal aid package to support our state, cities and towns.

Be Counted! May 14, 2020

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and Local 3144 President Harold Brooks, who co-chairs our union's Civil Rights Committee, join us to talk about the importance of participating in the 2020 Census.

Workers Memorial Day and COVID-19 Apr 29, 2020

Steve Schrag and Mike Fitts of the CT Council on Occupational Safety and Health join us on Workers Memorial Day (April 28) to talk about the continuing struggle to protect workers during the coronavirus crisis.

Journalists Join The Union. Mar 09, 2020

Hartford Courant reporter Rebecca Lurye shares her perspective as a journalist covering the city of Hartford and as unit chair of the Hartford Courant News Guild, the newly formed union at Connecticut's oldest paper. We did this interview right before COVID-19, so the supporting the cause of local journalism has become more important than ever. In addition to listening and sharing this, please sign the News Guild's online petition, "Save Our Courant."

Comptroller Kevin Lembo and the State of Our State Feb 03, 2020

How is Connecticut really doing? We turn to Comptroller Kevin Lembo for fact-based answers on this episode of Council 4 Unplugged. The Comptroller tackles many topical issues, including the certified savings yielded by the 2017 SEBAC agreement, a program to improve access to health care for municipal employees and an initiative to improve government transparency.

The Perils of Privatization Jan 03, 2020

Federal, state and local governmental bodies spend $7 trillion of our tax dollars on public services. Is it any wonder big corporations want a piece of that? Donald Cohen of In The Public Interest joins Council 4 to discuss the latest trends in privatization and outsourcing, and how unions must be engaged in the campaign to stop private interests from subverting the public good.

Fighting for Safe Jobs Nov 18, 2019

Pamela Puchalski and Steve Schrag of the Connecticut Council on Occupational Safety & Health join us to talk about the fight for safe and healthy workplaces. Thanks to the efforts of unions and safety advocates like COSH, the lives of more than half a million workers have been saved by strengthening workplace protections. There is much more work to be done, as we learn in a wide-ranging discussion.

Local Elections Matter! Oct 21, 2019

Municipal election day is Nov. 5, 2019. We visit with two Council 4 members and local office holders who are running for reelection: Manchester Mayor Jay Moran (Local 2836) and Middletown Common Councilor Phil Pessina (Local 1361 retiree).

"It's About People Getting Help" Sep 27, 2019

State correctional officers are pioneering a new kind of employee assistance program through their unions. Our guests are Aaron Lichwalla (AFSCME Local 387), Michael Vargo (AFSCME Local 1565) and Millie Brown (CSEA).

Council 4 Union Scholar Interns Aug 28, 2019

College students Andrea Dominguez and Alexandra Guerrera share their experience and perspective after working with us as AFSCME Union Scholar Interns.

Talking Pensions Jul 29, 2019

Alisha Blake of the Connecticut Coalition for Retirement Security joins us to talk about the impact of public pensions and the threats to our retirement security.

State Legislative Wrap-Up Jun 25, 2019

The 2019 state legislative session brought some victories for working people. Council 4 legislative advocates Brian Anderson and Zak Leavy discuss the outcome and the challenges ahead.

UConn Health: Public Hospital for the Public Good May 23, 2019

The UConn Health Center is looking to partner with a private corporation – a move that imperils patient care, education and research. Health Center employees Chris DeFranceso (UHP Local 3837) and Elizabeth Appel and Janice Oliveri (UCHC AAUP) talk about the importance of keeping their cherished institution in public hands.

The Happiest Countries Apr 16, 2019

We visit with retired labor leader Leo Canty, who toured the 10 happiest countries in the world, and found a shared respect for workers' rights and the need for a strong social safety net.

Council 4 Conservative Caucus Mar 18, 2019

Council 4 members Frank Ladore (Local 2836) and Jeremy Whetzel (Local 818) join us to talk about our union's new Conservative Caucus.

Connecticut Working Families. Feb 25, 2019

We visit with Lindsey Farrell, State Director of Connecticut Working Families, to learn about the campaigns to raise Connecticut's minimum wage and enact paid family and medical leave.

"The Things We Value." Jan 08, 2019

We go in depth with Council 4 Education Coordinator Joe Aresimowicz, who begins his second term as the Speaker of the State House of Representatives, and talks about his union roots.

The Election Is Over. Now What? Nov 28, 2018

Council 4 Political Coordinator joins us to analyze the 2018 election results in Connecticut and to look ahead to the 2019 legislative session.

Climate, Jobs & Unions. Oct 26, 2018

John Humphries of the CT Roundtable on Climate & Jobs joins us for a timely discussion on the interconnection between labor and environmental issues.

State Juvenile Detention Center Troubles Aug 15, 2018

AFSCME Local 749 members who work at the state's two juvenile detention centers are dealing with the fallout of severe staffing shortages, resulting in forced overtime and workplace injuries.

Elections Matter: AFSCME Members Running for General Assembly. Jul 25, 2018

On this episode, we talk to Council 4 union members Caitlin Clarkson-Pereira of Local 2836 and Tony Gennaro of Local 1361, who are running for State Representative.

Caitlin Clarkson Pereira for State Representative

Tony Gennaro for State Representative 100th District

Janus Won't Stop Us. Jun 11, 2018

Correctional Officers and AFSCME Local 387 members Brian Larson and Ginny Ligi talk about the challenges of their job, the importance of their union, and how they're preparing for the Supreme Court's Janus v. AFSCME decision

Introducing Jody Barr, Preparing for the Supreme Court. May 29, 2018

Newly elected Council 4 Executive Director Jody Barr talks about his background and the challenges facing organized labor. We also check in with Council 4 legislative advocates Brian Anderson and Zak Leavy about the Supreme Court's pro-corporate tilt.

On the Record with Sal Luciano May 18, 2018

Recently retired Council 4 Executive Director Sal Luciano reflects on his experiences leading our union and the challenging facing the labor movement.

Courtroom Monitors Sotonye Otunba-Payne and John Lanefski Apr 29, 2018

AFSCME Local 749 members John Lanefski and Sotonye Otunba-Payne explain the challenges of working as courtroom monitors and the importance of unions to their lives and the broader economy. We also hear from Council 4 lobbyist Brian Anderson about the latest corporate-backed attacks on workers in the Connecticut legislature.

Officer Karen Moorehead / FIST Commission Mar 04, 2018

Montville police officer Karen Moorehead is training for the Boston Marathon on the fifth anniversary of the terrorist bombing. We also look at a commission of CEOs and ultra-rich people who want to decimate collective bargaining rights.

Right to Work For Less & Dr. King Jan 26, 2018

Learn more about a Supreme Court case aimed at weakening unions and all workers. We also talk with a school paraprofessional whose personal and professional lives were touched by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and his support of union workers.

Unions Fight Sexual Harassment. Dec 14, 2017

We talk with two former Dept. of Correction employees who successfully fought back against sexual harassment in the early 2000s -- and how their union made a difference.

#SenateTaxScam Dec 05, 2017

The Senate Tax Bill is a gift to corporations and the wealthy. Who will pay the price?

Council 4 Podcast: The Legislature and the Ballot Box Nov 17, 2017

Council 4's legislative advocates Brian Anderson and Zak Leavy are on hand to put a wrap on the legislative session that ended Nov. 15, to assess the 2017 election results, and preview what lies ahead in 2018.

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