There are a lot of mistruths and rumors about labor unions, particularly in red states. Some media outlets spin it one way, and others spin it another. Georgia Construction Careers business manager Randy Beall, a life long member of the Sheet Metal workers union (SMART Local 85) and Rut Walker from Union Up (and IBEW member) address frequently asked questions about labor unions, what's true, what's not, and why, in this interesting 2-part discussion.

The honorable Sheriff Craig Owens from Cobb County (Metro Atlanta) joins Talkin' Trades to talk about the upcoming Sheriff's Cup all-star football game to raise awareness about bullying in Atlanta area schools. Sheriff Owens gives his insight on the effect that bullying has on gang activity in our metro area, mental health among our youth, and the solutions that we are all seeking to help get a handle on it.

Gwinnett County (GA) Sheriff Keybo Taylor joins "Talkin' Trades" to discuss the problem of gangs, school violence, and what we as a community can do to help mitigate the problem. Intervention in the middle school age group is a key component in preventing the attraction to gangs. Giving young people alternative to gangs at a young age is an absolute necessity. Sheriff Taylor of Gwinnett, Sheriff Owens of Cobb County (GA) are leading the charge to raise awareness of this problem by teaming up with Georgia Construction Careers and IBEW Local 613 in Atlanta by hosting the 2nd Annual "Sheriff's Cup" to stop gang violence. The Sheriff's Cup is a 7th grade all-star game that will be broadcast by Score Atlanta on August 12. The game features all-star middle school football teams from 4 of Atlanta counties, (Gwinnett, Cobb, Fulton, Dekalb) and raises awareness about intervention, alternative programs, and sports activity to give kids in the Atlanta Metro a positive outlet.

High blood pressure, hypertension, and heart disease is a big problem among the construction trades. Left unchecked it can kill you and leave your family in a lurch. Patrick Lolli and Stephanie Campbell from Hello Heart join Talkin' Trades to talk about a simple monitoring solution available to local union members that can help you and your fellow members reduce high blood pressure, alleviate hypertension, and prevent heart disease. You can learn more about how to make this solution available to your local union by visiting www.helloheart.com

Steve Hamilton and Mathew Beam from Washington Capital join "Talkin' Trades" to talk about real estate investment, how they benefit local union pensions, and how business managers can get involved on behalf of their members.

You get hurt on the job.... What do you do?  What rights do you have?  How do you properly document your situation so that you are not exposed and can be taken advantage of by your employer?  What are the issues on capitol hill in Georgia that can affect workers moving forward?   Attorney David H. Moskowitz joins Rut Walker with Union Up and Randy Beall with GeorgiaConstructionCareers.com for Episode 10 of "Talkin' Trades".  This is an excellent conversation that anyone who works in construction needs to hear.  If you have any questions about being hurt on the job or any issues facing work-place injury.  You can reach him personally 404-502-2771 and he is located in the IBEW Building, 501 Pulliam St. SW, Suite 542, Atlanta 30312

Georgia Public Service Commissioner and Vice Chair Tim Echols joins "Talkin' Trades" Host Rut Walker with Union Up and co-Host Randy Beall of Georgia Construction Careers to talk about the extension of Plant Bowen and what it means to working families in Georgia.  Commissioner Echols brings his refreshingly candid style to the discussion on the future of energy needs in Georgia, EV's, and energy diversity in our state.

Jeff Rogers, Director of the Mechanical Trades Institute, and Andy Sumpter from the Mechanical Contractors Association join "Talkin' Trades" to discuss the upcoming event called "The Apprenticeship Experience" on March 18th, 2022 for High School Teachers, Administrators, and Counselors at the Mechanical Training Institute in Atlanta. School faculty and administration may not know all the lucrative career opportunities that exist in the mechanical trades and this event will give them inside look at the school, the training facilities, and access to the faculty to see all the opportunities for students who will be graduation soon. Not only will they see all the excellent training and equipment available and talk to staff, they will be able to see for themselves what career opportunities are available for their students. It's a hands-on event that is available to any Educators who are interested educating their students about our program.  

The Apprenticeship Experience  

Friday, March 18th, 2022 

9AM-12N 

6120 Purdue Drive SW Atlanta GA 30336  

Register/RSVP at www.mti-jatt.org

Construction sites can sometimes be a tough place to be as a person of faith. From topical situations like salty language, questionable behavior, and ethics violations, to more severe issues like anxiety and depression, grief, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, suicide and other issues that come up, not just on the jobsite, but in many areas of life.    Brother Steven Bell, Pastor of Way of the Cross Baptist Church in McDonough, GA joins Talkin' Trades to talk about the role of faith on the jobsite, among peers on the jobs, and living out ones faith while on the job.    Brother Steven came up through the trades as an IUEC Elevator Operator and knows this all to well.  Today he shares his story with us in a compelling episode of Talkin' Trades.    If you need help or want to talk, you can reach Steven at:  http://www.wotcmcdonough.org/Address: 1640 Mt Carmel Rd, McDonough, GA 30253 Phone: (770) 305-9047  04:57 - How do you deal with language and actions that are in direct conflict with your faith on the jobsite? 11:44 - How receptive are employers to people of faith on the job? 17:20 - Brother Steven shares his story and his walk 21:10 - How he dealt with tragedy 22:35 - Tools to deal with tragedy  27:43 - Dealing with the stress of COVID, guilt of the survivors, etc. 29:57 - How do you comfort someone you work with who has experienced a tragedy? 33:47 - Is there any difference in how you would talk to someone who has experienced a tragedy of their own making vs. a tragedy outside of their control? 36:49 - How do you take that first step in self-help and who do you reach out to? 40:45 - What do you do when someone confides in a problem that you're not equipped to deal with (such as suicidal thoughts, domestic issues)?  44:10 - Are there online resources to help if you're not ready to talk to someone about something that is going on in your life?

Attorney Bruce Carraway joins Talkin' Trades to talk about what to do in case you are hurt on the job, and what your options are as a tradesperson. When should you report an injury, What are your options, when (and when not) to contact an attorney.  How to stay in good graces with your employer while taking care of yourself and your family.  What rights you have as an employee, as a union member, and more.  Great discussion

01:36 - What is the first thing you should do when you are injured on the job.  03:28 - What the insurance company knows and how they use it against you 04:33 - How long you have to report your injury  06:39 - How long can they "starve you out"  8:46 - When (and when not) to hire an attorney 11:05 - Can an attorney help you negotiate for lost wages? 12:50 - How does working overtime factor in to the liability of being injured on the job? 14:17 - What happens if you lose your ability moving forward to perform the skill you were trained to do? 17:02 - Any obligations to find the current employer to find you suitable employment? 19:36 - When do you need to contact an attorney after you're injured? 21:14 - What about supplemental insurance products like income replacement policies?