Grit Nation

How Politics Affect Wages and Benefits in the Trades

September 04, 2020 Joe Cadwell Season 1 Episode 1
Grit Nation
How Politics Affect Wages and Benefits in the Trades
Show Notes Transcript

Legislation is crucial in making laws that protect workers rights. Many carpenters don't understand what an important role politics play in ensuring the strength of our union and our continued way of life, and why backing the right political candidate is so important. 

For this first episode I will be interviewing the Political Director of the NW Carpenters Union, Matt Swanson. Matt has been involved with politics for the greater part of his professional career and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.

We will begin our conversation by asking the obvious question; why should working carpenters care about politics in the first place?

Next, we’ll discuss the important elections and measures coming up this November and why focusing on the race for the presidency isn’t as important as you might think. 

We’ll then unpack what Right to Work is and why it is so bad for workers. 

Later we’ll delve into how our Regional Councils Political Action Team vets out the candidates we choose to endorse in local races. 

And we’ll end our conversation with a call to action, where Matt will explain how your involvement can affect positive outcomes, further ensuring your continued prosperity in the ever changing socio-economic landscape of the American middle class.

Show Notes

Join the Grit NW Nation by registering here,
https://forms.gle/WEKcA76y3Wegmv8z7

Northwest Council Political Endorsements 2020
https://www.nwcarpenters.org/live-ballot/

To get involved with the NW political action team send an email to:
politicaldepartment@nwcarpenters.org

Check to see if you are registered to vote at:
https://vote.gov/

Questions, comments or interested in being on the show?
Email:
GritNW@gmail.com
https://gritnw.buzzsprout.com/

Grit NW is a proud member of the Labor Radio/ Podcast Network
https://www.laborradionetwork.org/

And if you haven’t already done so please take a minute to post a review on Apple Podcast.
It will help others find the show.

Joe Cadwell :

Welcome to the first episode of grit Northwest. My name is Joe Cadwell. And I will be your host of this bi monthly podcast where we will meet and talk with the various personalities that make up the construction industry here in the Great Pacific Northwest. My goal is to help you develop a stronger understanding of what it means to be a member of the carpenters union, and how you can become a better steward of the deep and rich legacy that those carpenters who came before us work so hard to build from leadership development and training to politics and organizing. My aim is to engage, educate and energize you to take agency of your future. For this first episode, I will be interviewing the political director of the Northwest carpenters union, Matt Swanson. Matt has been involved with politics for the greater part of his professional career and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. We will begin our conversation today by asking the obvious question of why should carpenters care about politics. Next, we'll discuss the important elections and Coming up this November and why focusing on the race for the presidency isn't as important as you might think. We'll then unpack what right to work is and why it's so bad for workers. Later, we'll delve into how the council's political action team that's out the candidates we choose to endorse in local races. And we'll end our conversation with a call to action, where Matt will explain how your involvement can affect positive outcomes, further ensuring your continued prosperity in the ever changing socio economic landscape of the American middle class. And now on to the show. Welcome to the show, Matt. You're a member of the local 146 and I've been with the Regional Council for about two years now. Prior to that you were the State Council director for the SEIU in Oregon. What got you involved in politics?

Matt Swanson :

Well, Joe, that's a great question. You know, like a lot of folks out there. I didn't think a lot about politics when I was younger. But life circumstances really drew me to it. I was like a lot of in State students here in Oregon, where I was born and raised drowning in debt, concerned about my future and found a group of students who are lobbying on things like financial aid and freezing tuition because we were really struggling. And it was important for me to start to see that when I got involved like that I could make a big difference in the in my life. And I knew that, you know, my parents were union members. And I'd seen a couple of picket lines in my lifetime. I understood that union members taken action together can make a big difference in my interest in politics and understanding of unions. I was able to find a career where they were they Could do both. And really, my goal is I just want to help people like me have a better shot at getting ahead in life. And it. I feel like because that was always my motivation, I never wanted to be elected. I just wanted to make a difference. And I and that's why I love my job and being able to build a program like, like we have here with all the carpenters across the council.

Joe Cadwell :

Well, that's great. We're certainly lucky to have you with us on the on the council. For the average bag whirring carpenter, Matt, why should they even be concerned about politics in the first place? How does that factor into them going to work them doing their jobs, Building America, but why should they have any any concern at all who runs for office?

Matt Swanson :

Well, it makes a big difference in our profession, many of the biggest changes whether it comes to things like workplace safety, the rules that we have to live by to keep us coming home healthy. Those were built by carpenters and workers really leading into when things like whether it was the eight hour workday, fall protection, a lot of the things that keep us safe and healthy on the job, were one through political action and lobbying. There's also massive investments in our infrastructure that help build careers, especially at times like this, when we're not so sure about the future. We need politicians who are going to step up and make sure that we have bridge projects. We have road projects, that we have things that are going to put carpenters to work, making a fair wage, protecting our prevailing rate, making sure that our trade policies aren't shipping jobs overseas, that we're going to have elected officials that are going to look out for our industrial carpenters. All of those choices that our elected officials make can really make a big difference in the lives of workers. And I think that when you look at why we're involved in politics is because we have an interest we have an interest in Safety, you have an interest in making sure that our jobs are good jobs and they are undercut by folks that are cheating their workers. And we have an interest in making sure that our voices are heard. And that's why being registered and being active is so critical because they need to see our power and strength and influence and also our stories as important to what they're trying to accomplish in office.

Joe Cadwell :

Great answer. So, for our average member again, I know we're we're a nonpartisan organization, the United Berta brotherhood of carpenters and joiners is a nonpartisan organization, but for a lot of the impression is from the membership is that we tend to to back Democratic candidates over republican ones. So it was a nonpartisan organization. Why is that? Why would we lean more towards Democratic candidates?

Matt Swanson :

Well, what I would say is, yeah, actually First, take the party out of it. Why do we endorse candidates And why is that important? across the country, we've seen a couple of attacks on union construction workers that are really important for us to consider when we're making our endorsements, whether that's passing right to work legislation that attacks the union shop. That's something that really weakens our ability to bargain for better wages and grow the union or attacks on our prevailing rates. So attacks on Davis bacon are rolling back the prevailing rate that keeps our local wages competitive and honored, and making sure we come home with a good wage that takes care of our family, those have been attacked. And we've seen repeals in places like Wisconsin and Michigan, Indiana recently that have really changed the prospects for union members that live in those places. So one of the first things we need to know about any candidate is where do they stand on those issues? And the truth is, our endorsements when you can answer those questions. Get Pretty hard because we're not a partisan organization, we need people that are looking at pro growth strategies that are really protecting our work in both public and private spaces. But where candidates tend to divide on the issues that are important to us, like I raised with right to work and prevailing rate is, yeah, we have one party that's tends to do a little better. And right now, at this moment in time that, you know, is some of the Democratic candidates but we also have quite a few republicans that are good on those issues. And you'll see in our endorsements, we we do go out of our way to make sure that we're reflecting a membership that is really divided on politics in some ways that they want members to know is for us, it's never been about the party. It's about those issues. And that's the same way that the National Rifle Association does it. It's the same way the Sierra Club does it. They have a core set of issues that they're going to rate candidates on if someone's not good on that they're not winning their endorsement. So so it's not about the party so much as where do they line up on the fundamental issues that matter to having a strong union and a strong middle class.

Joe Cadwell :

Understood. So, again, if we're trying to convince members that perhaps are leaning more towards a Republican candidates or potential runners for an office, how do we encourage them to consider the the benefits of not voting for that candidate voting for the for the candidates that we endorse or that the council endorses? They sort of seems like it goes contrary to what political party they're and so what what would we use to to ask them to consider even voting for say, a Democratic candidate if they are a Republican or a Republican candidate if they're a democrat?

Matt Swanson :

Sure. And I've actually had members ask me that question from both sides. We have endorsed republican Davis bacon supporting congressional candidates that really got under the skin of some of our Democratic members and we definitely have the the reverse happen to You know, what I would say is, you know, when we go to make our endorsement if, actually, if you're a republican who's standing up on some of those issues, we are going to stand with you. That member of Congress, you know, I think a Greg Walden in Oregon who's been a big supporter of us on those issues. He's not always popular with Democrats. But you know what he has been good to our union and good supporter and always defended Davis bacon and Congress. As an organization, our credibility is pretty important. And that's what I tried honor, as you know, for those members out there, this is the thing we're making the decision on. Likewise, you know, there are some times when we have very pro labor, Democratic candidates that maybe are off on some of the issues, you know, our members are more than just union carpenters. They come with their own history and their own values. All we want you to think about is this is your unions recommendation based on those issues. And you should take that into your toolbox when you're deciding how to vote. You know, Your faith, your family, your life, experience your passions, you got a lot of competing things that go into making your boat, don't make it about the party's of the politicians, figure out those issues and you're going to have to make a choice for yourself. Our recommendation just gives you some information about where they stand on your life as a union carpenter. And I hope that's persuasive. At the end of the day, we know it's more complicated than just what you do at work. But it's pretty important for your livelihood to just make sure that you understand where we're coming from. And that's why members engage in these endorsement processes. They review this rank and file, carpenters are very engaged with how we make these recommendations. And I think that's important. So it's not just a party. It's about us and our values.

Joe Cadwell :

So you mentioned that that the rank and file members are involved in the process and it sounds like vetting out the candidates. How does that happen? How do you get these members to step up or to be involved in that?

Matt Swanson :

Sure. We're a big old council spread across, I believe it's almost a million miles. So what we really need is that local engagement. So we have local political committees that work with the Regional Council and other locals in the area to vet these candidates and the way we do that with new candidates, yeah, we're gonna make him fill out a questionnaire on the issues that matter that's available on our website. And it talks about things like workplace standards, wages, investments, and infrastructure and development and jobs. And that's how we get a sense of how they think with incumbents, we actually even go step further. I mean, they can write anything, but what we know is how they vote, they actually put votes down on a lot of these issues, and we score them on that so we know who's been good. And you know, who's ends up on the naughty list after they're in session? So we try to read all that and use that to inform the decisions we're making. And then what we do is we actually sit down face to face, we have a meeting and We ask questions about those issues, members get to have some back and forth, and some experience with these politicians. And that's that's how we make these recommendations. As political staff, we also take some time to look under the hood. Who's, who's on their team? What other labor unions think, have they been supportive of other construction workers? The idea that projects that have gone union that they played a critical role in making sure that there are good jobs in the community? We do a lot of that research, and are they working hard? Right? I mean, are they reaching out? Are they knocking on doors, which a lot of folks can't do these days? Are they dialing are they raising money? So we do that analysis and then come up with a set of recommendations and, and members vote on those things, and we send it out to the membership. So that is, that is largely how we make our endorsements and and it couldn't happen without the great work of a lot of members who have been involved in a project.

Joe Cadwell :

So I was reading the the Northwest carpenters magazine. It just came out a few weeks ago, Matt, and there was somebody wrote in, who basically felt that the union was telling them who to vote for. It was sort of a writing question to Rosie and they said, you know, what, what business does the union having? Have telling me who to vote for? And the response that was given was actually it's a recommendation, again, to the candidates that are endorsed by the, by the council's team is that that's sort of correct, isn't it?

Matt Swanson :

It is, and as I said, carpenters are very intelligent, hard working, strong willed folks. And they got a lot of opinions. And the beautiful thing about the union they're involved with is we get to figure out how to come up with the best recommendation possible and we don't always agree. So what I would say for those folks that don't agree have a different opinion as we've been In this recommendation, and what you need to do with it is just use it to think think about what is the choice you're making and know that your, your union, your fellow union members looked at these candidates and said, this is really the best on the issues. We care about the relate to your job. And it's a recommendation, we're not telling you what to do. That is your freedom in this country, and nobody is ever going to get it between you and your vote. But what we are going to try to do is give you a little information that helps inform that choice, just like a lot of other groups do. If you open up your Facebook feed right now, I am sure that there are playing people spending money putting ads in front of you telling you similar things about candidates. And if we weren't there as your union, you better believe that some folks that don't share our values will be there. So So it's very important for us to get that recommendation out.

Joe Cadwell :

And and you're absolutely right. Every time I get on social media, there is political ads. Trying to sway my vote one way or the other and they do cost a lot of money so I'm sure we're throwing as much money towards our causes as these big corporations are. Or how are we combating the big money? That's, that's so prevalent in politics today, Matt?

Matt Swanson :

Yeah, well, you know, we're never going to have to be pockets of billionaire or even a multi millionaire right. But what we do have is a lot of a lot of people and we have strong Coalition's with other unions So the one thing we have going for us is all the money in the world doesn't change the fact that people really do support what we stand for. They support apprenticeships, they support good jobs, and they want to see the middle class thrive. That's what people want. They want safety and security for their family's financial future and good jobs are important in that. So we farm Coalition's and work with campaigns and candidates and make pretty Smart strategic choices about how we want to spend our resources, because if we just did it all by ourselves, we couldn't compete. But what we do is by leveraging those partnerships, we're able to speak with a lot of other workers and supportive candidates and causes we care about, are we ever gonna have all the money in the world to compete? Like, you know, a billionaire? Well, no, but the truth is, we have some strength in numbers, that that's why you join a union, right? Because together we can speak with one strong voice and, and we'll be able to work with the rest of the union movement to make a difference. I believe we can because I think unions are more popular than they've been at any point in the recent recent past, and we're in it important part of the future of this country and that that's why we make a difference and, you know, the billionaires and folks that are trying to spend a ton of money i don't i don't think they'll ever have that kind of following because they're not part of us. Right. That's, that's a bunch of people. pockets, but we have a lot of people.

Joe Cadwell :

And even all the money on the world can only buy one vote at a time in our democratic system. So that's unfortunate for us. So we've we've learned how you vet out the candidates, and we've learned how we can push back against some of the big money by engaging our membership to participate. races coming up. I know we've got a big election year, November's obviously just a few months down the road, what what races or issues are hot right now or on your front burner map?

Matt Swanson :

Sure. So I know that a lot of times when the conversation turns to politics right now, people are going to talk to you about the presidential election. And I'm actually not one of those people. You got plenty of information about that. What I will focus on is highlight how you got to look down the ballot. Everyone's already looking at that big national rays. A lot of folks have their mind made up and it's important for us to remind remember That Yeah, there's some more bubbles to fill in. Right? So, I'm gonna highlight the state of Montana and a couple other important races just to consider. So in Montana, there's two really significant races. We got Governor Steve Bullock or endorsed candidate running against senator Steve Daines. And this is a pretty critical race because this could really decide the future of the US Senate. So governor Bullock has been a strong partner of the carpenters. He's threatened to veto right to work legislation really killing that movement there. He's promoted affordable health care, and he's worked with our union specifically to create a task force on wage theft and tax fraud in the construction industry. So he understands that we need to get those cheating contractors out of the system, hold them accountable. That's so good contractors can compete. And this race is one of those ones where we need someone like that back NBC who's worked in the state to protect not just our unions, but you know, those Hunting and fishing public lands in Montana that a lot of our members like to use, and this race is really going to be razor thin. So we're watching that really closely. And that's a race where I think the stakes are pretty high. And we got a lot of members who are jumping in and super engaged. So I'm excited about that race. And then, you know, I talked about right to work. You know, there's a real fear that if if we don't win with Governor's our endorsed Governor's candidate, Mike Cooney, we could see right to work, come back with a vengeance in Montana. And those stakes are pretty high. We have a longtime public servant there who's who's worked closely with our union, and we want to make sure that race goes our way. So we're gonna have to get out there and talk to union members and their families about a candidate who's really been on our side, and I'm excited about that race. And then I'd also say, sometimes it's not people. There's also a five to $6 billion trends. portation and transit bond in the metro region of Oregon. So that's the Tri County area of Clackamas Washington and Multnomah counties. And this is an important investment in our future at a time when carpenters are really worried about where the jobs going to come from. These are big projects that are going to employ apprentices and put carpenters to work. That's a huge investment and needed infrastructure and to make sure we can get around efficiently and we're excited to be part of that let's get moving campaign. And then if I go through every other state their state legislative races City Council's from Hood River to save them to the Oregon coast from Anchorage to Juneau, and up to Fairbanks. We have races in every state from Boise Idaho Falls, there's can't there will be candidates that you need to look down the ballot on and our union is looking to help you with some of our recommendations and even more importantly is We're gonna be able to go out and volunteer so that when they go into office, they'll remember somebody like Jason Purdy at a local 635 in Boise, who went and made some phone calls, right or analog field, who hails from the Oregon coast, but currently living in the Tacoma area. She's an apprentice looking for work. She's done a ton of work meeting these candidates, we have members who are so engaged, and they're making a difference. And when these folks get elected, they're going to remember who was there with them. And I'm excited for how these races are going to play out, especially those local ones where we can make a big difference.

Joe Cadwell :

Well, it sounds like Montana is a state where we can really make a big difference, Matt, and I was hoping you could possibly talk a little bit more about right to work and the assault on workers rights in the state of Montana by this initiative. To me right to work sounds like one of the most brilliant marketing strategies ever. The Freedom Foundation and Alec are behind the right to work. Nailed it on the head, everybody wants a right to work. But why is right to work so wrong for workers?

Matt Swanson :

So I think that the important thing to remember about right to work is it breaks down this idea that when you go and work in a union shop, that part of the deal is you're paying dues, you're getting the benefits the rights and responsibilities of union membership, and that the employer has to sit down and bargain with us and come up with a fair deal that helps the company and the workers get their fair share. And way back when when they created labor law in the United States, they had this thing that you know, Union shops are a way to promote good employee employer relationships. What right to work does is it actually breaks down that union shop it says some people can get the benefits of this work, but they don't have to pay the dues. And then allows for a lot of shenanigans with how employers don't have to work in partnership or really come to a fair deal. It really breaks down that idea of union shops as we think of. So where did this come from? Well, it's really some deep pocketed folks that have really made it their mission to bust up union. So billionaires and corporations who don't want to have that union there to get in the way of profits over the people that are there. And as a private sector union, we are not against profits, we just want our fair share. We want a decent wage safe workplaces, and a retirement that we can count on when we age out of the workforce. And I think that there are folks that have really taken it upon themselves to put an assault on our idea of what a union shop should look like. And I know carpenters care a lot about a strong union shop and we're going to stand up to those things and and that moves Then has been successful in some states in Michigan and Wisconsin, you saw Right to Work laws pass. But we've also had some successes like in Missouri where they beat back a law there at the ballot, strongly in most counties across the state, really the carpenters were well engaged in that. So these things do come up in states and in Montana, it's a little different. It's not a ballot measure. But I just want to be clear, there are folks that you know, in the recent past that want to try to pass a law through the legislature there. And we had a strong supporter has to do with workers instead with Montanans against that movement. That's why it's important to have a elected officer at the top who's there for us.

Joe Cadwell :

And so when a state does go right to work, like Idaho did some 20 something years ago, what happens to the workers wages and market share and bargaining strength

Matt Swanson :

so it's obviously less I think you have what do you have less bargaining strength, you are able to get as great a deal. at the table, your benefits aren't as strong as they may otherwise be. And I think our union actually in our councils a good laboratory to see what happens. And certainly a carpenter, journey level Carpenter working in Idaho is gonna make less than a journey level. Carpenter. So if you're in Boise and make less under that state's laws than you would just across the border and Spokane work at under another state's laws, so and really what that comes down to is, do we have to sit down and come up with a fair deal and what is the way that you know the workers are able to have some strength in that conversation to to make sure that we have to do this in partnership, because if you can break up the workers, and you start to play favorites, it really breaks down that idea that we're all in this together and We're gonna we're gonna get the best deal we can together. So I think that the stakes are quite high. And something we'll do from time to time is actually put out some of those statistics. So look forward to doing more that I don't have them off the top of my head today, but would love to share.

Joe Cadwell :

Yeah, I know for a fact that the the wage disparity between Idaho and Washington State is is pretty significant. I know a lot of our listeners are in the Idaho State and can attest to that. It sounds like you've got a lot of work on your plate between now and November. who's helping you out with this, Matt? How big is your team with the Regional Council on the political department?

Matt Swanson :

Sure. So we have a full time team that includes while myself, Cory Elliot and Pedro Espinosa out of the Washington area, Paul Philpott who really covers parts of Southwest Washington and deep deep into all of Oregon. And then we have regional folks that as part of their other job duties also cover their sales. Chris diamond up in Alaska is a very strong leader and representative of the carpenters and politics for that state. We have Gil our set who's again in Idaho doing similar work. He is a very strong representative tied into the local labor community and lobbies on important issues for folks there. And then we got Derrick hit out in Montana who's covering similar turf, both for Montana and they and Gil and my excuse me, Gil and Derek well, so tag team, the Wyoming area from time to time and then I I get a swoop in to lots of nice places and try to be engaged and you know, syrup that good trouble, make a difference where we can

Joe Cadwell :

So for the average bag carrying carpenter who wants to be involved politically but has a full time job, a full time fan realizes that they can volunteer or participate to a limited extent what opportunities do you have for them?

Matt Swanson :

Sure. So we actually have had about 51. carpenters over the lot, yesterday and the day before sign up that they're interested to volunteer. So we're, we're actually calling through carpenters right now, and there's a lot of interest in doing something. What I would say is, the first thing you can do is email political department at Northwest carpenters dot o RG. Send us an email with your name, contact information, and where you live. And then talk a little bit about what you're interested in. Because we want to make sure we're reaching out to other carpenters this election cycle so you can help us write postcards, make phone calls, share information on social media, there's a lot of ways you can get involved just inside the union. We're also gonna have to talk to other union members because there's, you know, if we just mobilize the union We've been working with some of our partners, that's another piece you can get involved with. Not a lot of gathering these days, as you know, but we're doing that through phone, text postcard. Anything we could do to make sure we're reaching out to, you know, really talk about what's at stake for our union movement. And then, you know, we're gonna have to help some of these campaigns and candidates. Yes, more phone calls. But also, sometimes they need help assembling things like lawn signs. And I gotta say, with our training, we are more than qualified to help with that. That's something I know a lot of carpenters have needed and help with the assembly and delivery on those for a candidate or campaign that they support locally. And we also will try to do some things on social media from time to time just to help spread the word. That's something we're all learning more about, I think is what is the best way to engage and helpfully right because I think a lot of social Media can't be scary. But just sometimes it's, you know, here's a good image you can share or a good quote or a link to something like we're going to try to expand those things. So there's lots of ways but starts back back where I started political department at Northwest carpenters dot o RG. And that's n w N as in Nancy, W, as in Joe Joe, radio for W whiskey, whiskey. That's right, whiskey Tango, but in this case, it's Nancy whiskey. So that's how you get in touch with us. And we'll make sure that gets to the right person in your area.

Joe Cadwell :

That's great. I'll make sure to add those to the show notes at the end of the show.

Matt Swanson :

Thanks, Joe. Yeah,

Joe Cadwell :

So one last question, Matt, I know you're a busy guy. But for the carpenter that just doesn't have the time cannot find the time what's the very, very least that they can do to be politically active, in order to support their union and support their way of life continue to provide the little wages, the benefits for themselves and their family, the access to training, the pensions, the representation and the safer working conditions, what is the bare minimum a member can do.

Matt Swanson :

So the bare minimum number one, if we're all registered to vote, that builds our strength at the ballot box. So if you go to vote.gov, you can find out all the rules and how to register to vote in your state. So that's the number one bare minimum is just make sure you receive a ballot in the mail. If I can add like a one a or one B, that would be make sure you read the information that the council in your local union is sharing just to learn a little bit about we're doing and the candidates that we've talked to and what our recommendations are. So those are the bare minimum because I know how hard it is especially right now. You maybe got kids at home that you're having to help with their school and you got work and again A lot. So the bare minimum is those two things, if you have four hours, 48 hours between now and November 3 that you can help, if just 1% of our membership does that we're gonna be able to reach out to over 100,000 households. And that's really something I want to try to do is you can do four hours between now and November 3. That's a huge difference. And if just one out of 100 of our members, hit that mark, we're gonna do some big things. And that's what we're recruiting for. But just make sure you're registered. If you're too busy. That's, that's the big piece. Just Just get that ballot. So you can make sure you vote.

Joe Cadwell :

Great advice, Matt, thank you so much for that. Well, this has been a really great conversation. I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to be on the show. And we look forward to hopefully talking to you as soon as possible.

Matt Swanson :

Thank you, Joe.

Joe Cadwell :

Our guest today was Matt Swanson, political director of the Northwest carpenters Union. If you'd like to know more about how you can get involved with political action, send an email to political department at NW carpenters dot o RG. Also check out the show notes at the end of the podcast for more details. Well that wraps up this edition of grit Northwest. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to share it with a friend, fellow Carpenter or family member. Until next time, this is Joe Cadwell reminding you to work safe, work smart and stay union strong. See you next time. Transcribed by https://otter.ai