Labor Lounge Podcast
Labor Lounge Podcast
Podcast Description
Welcome to Labor Lounge Podcast! Co-hosted by Anthony Abrantes, Assistant Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, the Carpenter’s Union, and Cyndie Williams, Executive Director of the Carpenter Contractor Trust.
We’ll explore the world of organized labor, bringing you behind-the-scenes stories and insights from inspiring union leaders, dedicated partners, and community change-makers. In each episode, we dive into authentic conversation to uncover what unions are really about - beyond the headlines and myths.
Tune in, get informed, and find out how organized labor is making a difference!
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on the world of organized labor, encompassing themes like union leadership, community activism, and labor rights. Specific episode examples include discussions on racial equity with Rev. Dr. Willie Dwayne Francois III and insights into labor-friendly business practices with Joseph Jingoli. The show aims to dispel myths surrounding unions and highlight their role in social justice and economic outcomes.
Welcome to Labor Lounge Podcast! Co-hosted by Anthony Abrantes, Assistant Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, the Carpenter’s Union, and Cyndie Williams, Executive Director of the Carpenter Contractor Trust.
We’ll explore the world of organized labor, bringing you behind-the-scenes stories and insights from inspiring union leaders, dedicated partners, and community change-makers. In each episode, we dive into authentic conversation to uncover what unions are really about – beyond the headlines and myths.
Tune in, get informed, and find out how organized labor is making a difference!
In this episode, Anthony and Cyndie sit down with Jack Kocsis Jr., CEO of the Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey (ACCNJ). With more than 35 years leading the organization, Jack brings a rare depth of experience from both the construction site and the negotiation table. He reflects on the evolution of labor management partnerships, the origins of the Carpenter Contractor Trust, and how listening yes really listening has been the most powerful leadership tool in his career. Jack also shares his perspective on workforce development, public policy, apprenticeship, and the industry’s responsibility to adapt and grow. From enforcing laws on wage theft to building bridges between contractors and unions, this conversation lays out what real collaboration in construction looks like and what still needs to change.
01:26 – Introducing Jack Kocsis Jr., CEO of ACCNJ
02:39 – Jack’s blue collar roots and journey into construction leadership
06:55 – Why the union construction industry is different and more honest
07:29 – What ACCNJ does and the value of listening in leadership
10:43 – The role of trust, fairness, and communication in successful negotiations
11:45 – What healthy labor management partnership really looks like
12:04 – The origins of the Carpenter Contractor Trust
14:53 – How labor and management built a new model of cooperation
15:20 – The challenge of educating policymakers and telling labor’s story
17:33 – The real cost of wage theft and misclassification
18:00 – A pivotal moment: why labor and management stuck together
19:39 – Why lowering wages isn’t the solution for competitiveness
20:00 – Apprenticeship, inclusion, and evolving recruitment in the trades
22:08 – Disproving the myth that union labor is unproductive or costly
23:49 – How contractor success drives union job growth
24:24 – Jack’s policy wish: enforcement over new laws
25:30 – Connecting agencies to catch unscrupulous contractors
26:19 – Changing the culture of the construction industry
26:58 – How Jack defines success after 35 years in the industry
27:41 – Final thoughts and appreciation for partnership
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