The Rick Smith Show

Rep McCarter talks Harrisburg Dysfunction

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

Matias Vernengo talks GOP Faux Populism

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 on GOP Debate and Hillary going Negative

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 talks Workers Winning

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. 

Full Three Hour Show for January 14, 2016

Eric Heins, President of the California Teachers Association joins Rick to discuss the recent oral arguments heard in front of the US Supreme Court in Friedrich vs. CTA and to explain why this case is nothing more than a wealth funded attack on workers.

Will Fischer, Executive Director of the Union Veterans Council joins Rick to talk about union apprenticeship programs that are helping veterans secure quality employment with good family sustaining union wages and benefits.

Cristina Lopez, researcher at Media Matters for America joins Rick to preview the upcoming GOP Debate from South Carolina and discuss what each candidate must, and must not do to stay at the adult table hoping for a Trump collapse. 

Anthony Vallecillo, warehouse worker from Long Beach, CA joins Rick to talk about the recent community organizing effort to call on the Mayor of Long Beach to #RaisetheWage to $15 an hour and the journey he has taken to come out of the shadows and demand respect.  

 

Eric Heins on SCOTUS Union Busting Case

Eric Heins, President of the California Teachers Association joins Rick to discuss the recent oral arguments heard in front of the US Supreme Court in Friedrich vs. CTA and to explain why this case is nothing more than a wealth funded attack on workers.

Will Fischer talks Jobs for Vets & Politic Realities Vets Face

Will Fischer, Executive Director of the Union Veterans Council joins Rick to talk about union apprenticeship programs that are helping veterans secure quality employment with good family sustaining union wages and benefits and highlights the fact that Vets are getting tired of being used as props. 

Cristina Lopez on #GOPDebate

Cristina Lopez, researcher at Media Matters for America joins Rick to preview the upcoming GOP Debate from South Carolina and discuss what each candidate must, and must not do to stay at the adult table hoping for a Trump collapse. 

Anthony Vallecillo talks Fighting for Respect on the Job

Anthony Vallecillo, warehouse worker from Long Beach, CA joins Rick to talk about the recent community organizing effort to call on the Mayor of Long Beach to #RaisetheWage to $15 an hour and the journey he has taken to come out of the shadows and demand respect.  

Full Three Hour Show for January 13, 2016

Irwin Aronson, Labor Attorney and Rick Smith Show regular joins Rick to discuss the ins and outs of the Friedrich Vs. California Teachers Association case before the US Supreme Court and discuss potential outcomes and ramifications.

Ken Hall, Teamster General Secretary-Treasurer joins Rick to talk about workers taking to the West Virginia state capitol to push back against the right wing’s No Rights at Work scheme currently being rammed through the legislature and why its destructive.   

Doug Cunningham, Reporter at Workers Independent News Service joins Rick to discuss the Labor News of the day.  Everything workers need to know about what’s going on at work. 

Abe Amoros, Pennsylvania Legislative Director for the Laborers Union (LIUNA) joins Rick to talk Rebuilding America and what the $305 billion Highway and Infrastructure funding bill will mean for workers and the nation.

Irwin Aronson on SCOTUS case and the End of the 13,14, and 15 Amendments

Irwin Aronson, Labor Attorney and Rick Smith Show regular joins Rick to discuss the ins and outs of the Friedrich Vs. California Teachers Association case before the US Supreme Court and discuss potential outcomes and ramifications.

Ken Hall Fighting the #NoRightsAtWork Agenda

Ken Hall, Teamster General Secretary-Treasurer joins Rick to talk about workers taking to the West Virginia state capitol to push back against the right wing’s No Rights at Work scheme currently being rammed through the legislature and why its destructive. 

Doug Cunningham talks Labor News

Doug Cunningham, Reporter at Workers Independent News Service joins Rick to discuss the Labor News of the day.  Everything workers need to know about what’s going on at work.

Abe Amoros talks Rebuilding America

Abe Amoros, Pennsylvania Legislative Director for the Laborers Union (LIUNA) joins Rick to talk Rebuilding America and what the $305 billion Highway and Infrastructure funding bill will mean for workers and the nation.

Today's Show for January 12, 2016

Ian Millhiser, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress Action Fund and the Editor of ThinkProgress Justice joins Rick to dissect the US Supreme Court oral arguments in Friedrich Vs California Teachers Association and share what he believes the will be its outcome.

Larry Hanley, President of the Amalgamated Transit Union joins Rick to talk Moving America as the City of Providence RI moves away from the idea of a costly streetcar and toward a more efficient dedicated bus line.

Cole Stangler, International Business Times Labor Reporter joins Rick to lay out the what, why, and how of the Friedrich Vs California Teachers Association case before the US Supreme Court.  What’s at stake?  Who wins, and who loses?

Larry Hanley Talks Moving America

Larry Hanley, President of the Amalgamated Transit Union joins Rick to talk Moving America as the City of Providence RI moves away from the idea of a costly streetcar and toward a more efficient dedicated bus line.

Cole Stangler Breaks Down Friedrich V CTA

Cole Stangler, International Business Times Labor Reporter joins Rick to lay out the what, why, and how of the Friedrich Vs California Teachers Association case before the US Supreme Court.  What’s at stake?  Who wins, and who loses?

Ian Millhiser on Friedrich v CTA

Ian Millhiser, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress Action Fund and the Editor of ThinkProgress Justice joins Rick to dissect the US Supreme Court oral arguments in Friedrich Vs California Teachers Association and share what he believes the will be its outcome.

Full Three Hour Show for January 11, 2016

David Broderic, Communications Manager for PSEA joins Rick to talk about opening day of the US Supreme Court hearing the Friedrich Vs. The California Teachers Association case and what impact his organization believes will occur if the Roberts court rules in opposition of decided law.  

Ryan Eckes, Adjunct Professor at Temple University joins Rick to talk about how the US Supreme Court case Friedrich vs. California Teachers Association will affect higher education, especially adjunct professors.

Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing joins Rick to discuss the need for a manufacturing policy and why focusing on Made in America is important for the US economy and its stability and security.

Carol Burris, Executive Director of the Network for Public Education, retired Principal, author of an open letter to Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson published in the Washington Post joins Rick to push back against the corporatization of education and the notion that schools are simply training workers.

Steven Singer, husband, father, teacher, blogger, and education advocate joins Rick to discuss his recent blog post on Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson's Fortune Magazine comments and what parents need to be doing to reclaim public education.   

David Broderic Exposing Big Moneyed Interest Against Teachers

David Broderic, Communications Manager for PSEA joins Rick to talk about opening day of the US Supreme Court hearing the Friedrich Vs. The California Teachers Association case and what impact his organization believes will occur if the Roberts court rules in opposition of decided law.