The Rick Smith Show

Ron Baker talks Job Saving Worker Action

Ronald Baker, Strategic Campaign Coordinator for the BCTGM joins Rick to discuss the ongoing situation in Chicago and how Pennsylvania workers could be next. 

Matias Vernengo talks Reality in GOP Fantasy land

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics Bucknell University joins Rick to talk about what the Free Market should, and should not be doing in our nation.

Isaiah Poole Stand Up for the Poor and Downtrodden Against GOP Attacks

Isaiah Poole, Online Editor at OurFuture.org joins Rick to talk about poverty and the GOP reactions to it and exam the water crisis in Flint, MI.

Jeremy Mohler Defends the Public Interests

Jeremy Mohler, Communications Specialist at In The Public Interest joins Rick in the face of Snow-maggedon to discuss what the Snow-pocalypse could look like in the hands of privateers and answer the question, What should the public sector do for we the people? 

Full Three Hour Show for January 20, 2016

Jerry Jordan, President of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers joins Rick to discuss the upcoming PFT union election and explains to members why reelecting the current leadership to another term is best for members, students, and public education.

Tony Trupiano, Radio Host and Political columnist joins Rick to talk about the Michigan governor created disaster in Flint, MI and the massive costs associated with short sighted governance. 

Former Congressman Admiral Joe Sestakjoins Rick to talk about his position on health care as he seeks the Democratic Party nod to take on incumbent PA Senator Pat Toomey in November.

Celeste Drake, Trade and Globalization Policy Specialist at the AFL-CIO joins Rick to discuss the latest news on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and how it can still be stopped.  

Talk Media News Service with Ellen Ratner 

Ellen Ratner with the Talk Media News of the Day

Ellen Ratner with the Talk Media News of the Day 

Jerry T. Jordan talks PFT Election

Jerry Jordan, President of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers joins Rick to discuss the upcoming PFT union election and explains to members why reelecting the current leadership to another term is best for members, students, and public education.

Tony Trupiano talks Lead Flavored Water

Tony Trupiano, Radio Host and Political columnist joins Rick to talk about the Michigan governor created disaster in Flint, MI and the massive costs associated with short sighted governance. 

Joe Sestak talks Health Care Security for all

Former Congressman Admiral Joe Sestakjoins Rick to talk about his position on health care as he seeks the Democratic Party nod to take on incumbent PA Senator Pat Toomey in November.

Celeste Drake Talks Job Killing TPP

Celeste Drake, Trade and Globalization Policy Specialist at the AFL-CIO joins Rick to discuss the latest news on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and how it can still be stopped.  

Full Three Hour Show for January 19, 2016

Ed Wytkind President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO joins Rick to talk Moving America and building on momentum from the 2015 surface transportation bill to get FAA re authorization passed, as well as improvements to port and maritime investments.

Arthur Stamoulis, executive director of Citizens Trade Campaign joins Rick to talk about the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and citizens, consumers, and workers need to do to stop another job killing trade deal from become law.

Thomas A. Kochan, the George M. Bunker Professor of Work and Employment Relations at MIT’s Sloan School of Management and co-director of the MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research joins Rick to talk about his recently released book, Shaping the Future of Work and what the future looks like for workers.

David Madland, Senior Fellow and the Senior Advisor the American Worker Project at the Center for American Progress joins Rick to discuss his recent report titled, “What Do Unions Do for the Middle Class?”

Amy Roat of the Caucus of Working Educators joins Rick to discuss her run for union's president office and why she believes a change is needed for students, teachers, and education.  

Ed Wytkind talks Investing in America

Ed Wytkind President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO joins Rick to talk Moving America and building on momentum from the 2015 surface transportation bill to get FAA reauthorization passed, as well as improvements to port and maritime investments.

Arthur Stamoulis talks Job Killing TPP

Arthur Stamoulis, executive director of Citizens Trade Campaign joins Rick to talk about the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and citizens, consumers, and workers need to do to stop another job killing trade deal from become law.

Thomas A. Kochan talks "Shaping the Future of Work"

Thomas A. Kochan, the George M. Bunker Professor of Work and Employment Relations at MIT’s Sloan School of Management and co-director of the MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research joins Rick to talk about his recently released book, Shaping the Future of Work and what the future looks like for workers.

David Madland answers “What Do Unions Do for the Middle Class?”

David Madland, Senior Fellow and the Senior Advisor the American Worker Project at the Center for American Progress joins Rick to discuss his recent report titled, “What Do Unions Do for the Middle Class?”

Amy Roat talks Union Elections

Amy Roat of the Caucus of Working Educators joins Rick to discuss her run for union's president office and why she believes a change is needed for students, teachers, and education.  

The Rick Smith Show 1-18-2016 Happy MLK Day

Morna McDermott, United Opt Out Administrator, Associate Professor of education at Towson University, in Maryland joins Rick to discuss the upcoming United Opt Out conference in Philadelphia, PA this coming February and the enormous changes High Stakes testing has brought, and will continue to bring to public education. 

Alison McDowell, Pennsylvania coordinator for United Opt Out and public school activist joins Rick to talk about the upcoming United Opt Out conference she is organizing in Philadelphia, PA and why she is so passionate about saving community based public education.  

Alison McDowell Talks United Opt Out Gathering

Alison McDowell, Pennsylvania coordinator for United Opt Out and public school activist joins Rick to talk about the upcoming United Opt Out conference she is organizing in Philadelphia, PA and why she is so passionate about saving community based public education.   

Morna McDermott Talks Education Revolution

Morna McDermott, United Opt Out Administrator, Associate Professor of education at Towson University, in Maryland joins Rick to discuss the upcoming United Opt Out conference in Philadelphia, PA this coming February and the enormous changes High Stakes testing has brought, and will continue to bring to public education. 

Full Three Hour Show for January 15, 2016

Pennsylvania State Rep Steve McCarter joins Rick to talk about recent developments in the state’s budget impasse and what they mean for schools, non-profits, and taxpayers.  What does a half finish 2015 budget mean for the upcoming 2016 budget address?  Visit his reelection site

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics Bucknell University joins Rick to talk about Thursday night’s Republican Presidential Debate and how the candidates did with regards to jobs, the economy, and issues that affect working families.

Dave Johnson, Fellow at the Campaign for America’s Future joins Rick to examine the rhetoric from Thursday night’s GOP debate, preview Saturday Night’s Democratic Presidential debate, and compare the health care positions on all sides. 

Robin Slater, Organizer for SEIU joins Rick to discuss the New Year’s changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act and what those changes mean to home health care workers across the state and nation, and what it took to make those changes a reality.