Shows
Breaking GroundBreaking Ground interview with Retiree Dennis GriffithNevada Retiree Dennis Griffith shares what it was like in the field, when he joined Local 3 in the 1970s, after transferring in from Local 12. His Local 3 retirement and health insurance have helped him and wife, Rita, and their kids, have a great life. Dennis has worked on some amazing projects throughout Local 3’s jurisdiction and offers good advice for those still actively working in the industry today. For the video version, visit Local 3’s official YouTube channel.2025-05-3019 minBreaking GroundA Talk with OE3 Business Agent Armie MorganLocal 3 Business Agent Armie Morgan represents Local 3 members in the counties of Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo, but he wears many other hats, including being a commissioner for the SF Fire Department. Get to know Armie, his job duties and how he got involved in the Construction Trades and helping members in the largest Construction Trades Local in North America.2025-02-2541 minBreaking GroundInterview with OE3 Apprenticeship Coordinator Meg-Anne PryorMeg-Anne Pryor has done it all and made it look easy, from graduating valedictorian in SF’s City Build program to being the keynote speaker for President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address, she is an inspirational figure for us all. Previously a successful Construction Equipment Operator (CEO) in the field and now serving OE3’s apprentices as a coordinator for the CA Training Center and board member of Sistas with Tools, she has a story worth hearing. Her passion for Labor and helping others as she was helped is contagious. You won’t want to miss this epi...2024-12-1631 minBreaking GroundDiscussion with OE3 Political Director Chris Snyder and House Council Gening Liao, EsqOE3 House Counsel Gening Liao, Esq. and OE3 Political Director Chris Snyder join the Breaking Ground podcast to discuss the impact that presidential elections have on working people’s legal rights and the ability of unions like Operating Engineers Local 3 to defend or promote their memberships’ rights and privileges.2024-10-2235 minBreaking GroundNew Breaking Ground podcast available with OE3 Public Employee Director Tim Neep and Business Agent Michael MooreDid you know Local 3 represents close to 10,000 Public Employee members throughout Northern California and Northern Nevada, and this representation includes a 90 percent success rate when it comes to handling grievances, pay issues and disciplinary actions? Learn about the many benefits of Local 3 representation for our Public Employee members and how to get organized, if you’re not!2024-07-0940 minBreaking GroundIUOE Legislative ReportHear straight from the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Legislative and Political Director Jeff Soth, as he discusses Labor’s gains during the current administration and what’s at stake during this critical Election Year. He works hard in Washington to lobby for major infrastructure investments at the federal level that put Operating Engineers to work. OE3’s own Political Director Chris Snyder also weighs-in about Local 3’s specific goals for this election cycle and which previous political gains have created massive projects for us.2024-03-2247 minBreaking Ground2024 Election Season Kick-Off with OE3’s Political DepartmentPlease enjoy the Election Season Kick-Off podcast from Local 3’s Political Department, which includes Political Director Chris Snyder and Deputy Political Director Patrick Boileau. Learn how the political process works, from how union endorsements are made, where funding for projects you work on comes from and important races to pay attention to this year.2024-02-2054 minBreaking GroundBreaking Ground with Stockton Business Agent Michelle GianelliLocal 3 Stockton Business Agent Michelle Gianelli has asked questions her whole life, and it’s this curiosity that has helped her succeed in her career, in the field, as an instructor at the CA Training Center, as a dispatcher in Stockton District 30 and now as a Stockton business agent. Listen and watch as she shares her story and helps provide correct information to the members she represents.2023-11-0627 minBreaking GroundA talk with Utah District Rep. Brandon DewLearn about the almost 30-year Local 3 member’s early days working in the pit in Utah, as well as his climb to becoming the Utah District Rep. and Union Trustee today. Utah district Rep. Brandon Dew is also an active member of coalitions, has helped strengthen the membership and apprenticeship opportunities in the Utah District Office, is actively engaged in union politics and is proudest of his family. Listen to his story now! Brandon’s story of how he became a union member and joined staffExplaining the coalitions he is part ofWhat it’s like to be a distr...2023-07-1034 minBreaking GroundBreaking Ground with OE3 Burlingame District Rep. / Trustee Charley LaveryLocal 3 Burlingame District Rep. / Trustee Charley Lavery has built a lifetime around union activism. The Irish immigrant recalls how becoming a Local 3 member revolutionized his life and the life of his family. He has used his story of unionism to change the lives of apprentices, members and more, while making sure Labor’s issues are at the forefront of San Francisco politics.2023-03-2939 minBreaking GroundA Talk with NCIC Director Dina MorsiNorCal Construction Industry Compliance (NCIC) Executive Director Dina Morsi discusses the NCIC's role in protecting workers from wage theft, holding non-compliant contractors accountable and ensuring a level playing field for contractors bidding on the public works projects that OE3 members rely on for employment.2023-02-1320 minBreaking GroundOE3 Political Action Committee (PAC) interviewSacramento District 80 Political Action Committee (PAC) members Frank Fuller, Travis Damiani and Miguel Gonzalez explain how the PAC works, how members can participate in their PAC and how these committees determine which local candidates do or don’t get a Local 3 recommendation. If you ever wondered how the union determines endorsements, listen now. Also available to watch on YouTube here.2022-10-1721 minBreaking GroundBreaking Ground with Dolores MoralesAn in-depth interview with Local 3 member, County Employees Management (CEMA) president and Hollister City Council Member Dolores Morales, who discusses what the union movement means to her, how engagement in politics is a necessity and how caring about and involvement in your community is all you need to make a difference.2022-09-0224 minBreaking GroundOvercoming Political Division in a Divisive Political YearThe country is perhaps more divided right now than ever, and as we sit in the middle of an Election year, it is even more troubling. We, as a union, must find a way to get united. The way to do that is by coming together and rallying around our shared core needs. This video looks at how we are all more alike than we realize and how we, as Operating Engineers, are very much in agreement about several key shared goals. Understanding these and the reasons behind why we do politics the way we do, will only make...2022-06-1459 minBreaking GroundBeating all OddsOE3 District Rep. Mike Pickens gets really honest about his childhood struggles and how finding a career through Job Corps and then Operating Engineers changed the course and direction of his entire life. His insight and journey helps point those who may be struggling in a better direction … and a career option!2022-05-0249 minBreaking GroundCranesGet an insider's perspective on the Operating Engineers Local 3 crane world, from crawler cranes to tower cranes in this latest episode of OE3's Breaking Ground podcast. Topics include how to get in the seat, income, what operating cranes was like 20 years ago and how much it has changed today. Industry experts and Local 3 staff members Jimmy Jacobs and Tom Kohlenberg cut to the chase on how tough this industry is, but also how rewarding it can be.2022-03-1559 minBreaking GroundOrganizing the UnorganizedLocal 3 Director of Organizing John Curtin provides a candid perspective on organizing unions today. What does a Local 3 organizer do? Why does it benefit any construction or Public Employee entity to get organized and become a part of Local 3? Listen to Local 3's Director of Organizing John Curtin discuss all of this in Local 3's thirteenth podcast, Breaking Ground. Whether you know about unions or are just curious about this aspect of them, check it out!2022-02-0930 minBreaking GroundOrganizing the UnorganizedLocal 3 Director of Organizing John Curtin provides a candid perspective on organizing unions today.What does a Local 3 organizer do? Why does it benefit any construction or Public Employee entity to get organized and become a part of Local 3? Listen to Local 3's Director of Organizing John Curtin discuss all of this in Local 3's thirteenth podcast, Breaking Ground. Whether you know about unions or are just curious about this aspect of them, check it out!2022-02-0929 minBreaking GroundA mental health expert weighs-in on available help for those who may be struggling right nowFor Local 3's twelfth podcast, "Breaking Ground," mental health expert Christina Torizzo explains all that Kaiser has to offer for people who may be struggling with severe or mild mental health issues during these strange pandemic times. There's no shame in getting the help you need, and Kaiser's websites have all kinds of tools and assessments that you can access from your cellphone or computer. There's also information about Local 3's Assistance and Recovery Program (ARP), as well.2022-01-0431 minBreaking GroundOE3's Technical EngineersListen to Local 3’s 11th Breaking Ground Podcast: Everything there is to know about OE3’s Technical Engineers What is a Local 3 Technical Engineer? Hear from experts John Rector, Sacramento District Rep., and Michael Strunk, Testing and Inspection Special Rep. Both were surveyors and inspectors in the field and explain candidly the process for applying to the apprenticeship program, what a career as a Technical Engineer looks like and how their time in the field changed their lives. Anyone who is interested in a career path free from college debt that offers flexibility and the chance to work...2021-08-2146 minBreaking GroundEverything there is to know about Local 3’s Public EmployeesListen to Local 3 Public Employee Director Tim Neep and Senior Business Agent Mike Eggener discuss the Local 3 Public Employee Department, including our Craft and Maintenance Unit 12 division. From who they are and what they do, to contract negotiations, contentious battles with some local governments and how to organize your own Public Employee Unit, find everything you need to know here. You can also watch the podcast video, complete with informative slides and member photos, by visiting Local 3’s YouTube site at: www.youtube.com/c/operatingengineerslocal3.2021-06-0458 minBreaking GroundA Pension Talk with Local 3 Treasurer Nate TuckerDo you have a Local 3 Pension negotiated into your Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)? Have you ever wondered how this Pension is funded, when it started or how it’s doing right now? Get the history of Local 3’s Pension, how you can calculate yours, how the Pension is funded and what it means for you and your family. Local 3 Treasurer Nate Tucker talks frankly about all of this. You can also view this podcast on Local 3’s official YouTube site at www.youtube.com/c/operatingengineerslocal3.2021-03-2543 minBreaking GroundSo .. how does one get accepted into the Local 3 Training Center Program in California? And … what’s a career in the Trades look like?The Operating Engineers Local 3 Journeyman and Apprentice Training Center (OE3 JATC) is nationally recognized as one of the biggest and best training programs in the country, producing skilled and trained Operating Engineers every year, who enter the workforce with a career path that is free and a trade that gives them a comfortable life and retirement. Apprentices in this program literally earn while they learn and make more per hour, with every step of the apprenticeship they complete. Listen to Director of Apprenticeship Greg Gasaway and Director of Training Cat Lytle explain how one can get accepted into this...2021-02-0344 minBreaking GroundUnion wins against giant mining corporation takeoverAfter the giant mining companies Newmont and Barrick formed a joint-venture in Elko, called Nevada Gold Mines (NGM), it was obvious they wanted Local 3 out. The union had been representing workers at the mines since 1965, and we weren’t just going to back down. Hear about the strategies we used to gain back our collective bargaining rights for some 1,300 mine workers and the challenges that continue, as we fight to represent our mine workers in Elko, Nev. It’s a true David and Goliath story!2020-12-3042 minBreaking GroundBreaking Ground digs deep about the mental health aspects of COVID and how members can get helpJoin Local 3’s Business Manager Dan Reding and Assistance and Recovery Program (ARP) Director Tamra Luft, as they discuss how COVID-19 has created a pandemic beyond physical illness. It has also created a mental health pandemic. People are struggling now more than ever with depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Often, people cope with these by turning to substances, and this use or over-use can lead to addiction. Find out how to get help, if you need it. “If you are asking if you have a problem, you probably have a problem,” said ARP Director Tamra Luft. Help is available, so lis...2020-11-2539 minBreaking GroundPolitics is Everything!Hear from Local 3’s Political Director Chris Snyder and the IUOE's California-Nevada Labor Lobbyist Tim Cremins talk about what’s at stake for unions politically this year. How does Labor Lobbying work? How do unions vet the candidates they endorse? We will also dive into how Local 3 is handling political activism with the backdrop of COVID-19 forcing us to change how things are normally done. In addition, we will talk about the biggest proposition on the California Ballot - Proposition 22 - and why a NO vote is a NO BRAINER! Vote NO on 22! 2020-08-1150 minBreaking GroundBusiness Manager Dan Reding interviews Sacramento business agents Jesse Greer and Mario CardozaNew business agents Jesse Greer and Mario Cardoza talk about what it’s like being a staff member of Local 3. They both have over 15 years of experience in the field and discuss with Business Manager Dan Reding the surprises and challenges coming from the field to then being on staff as a business agent. The main benefit of joining the Local 3 staff is the fulfillment they get out of helping the membership and giving back to the organization that gave them so much. Whether it be securing a better contract or staying late at a city council mee...2020-06-2240 minBreaking GroundHalfway To Hell, The Workers And Unions That Built The Golden Gate BridgeIn this episode, we listen to famed local actor Danny Glover, a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artist (SAG AFTRA). SAG AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. Both were born in the turmoil of the 1930s, around the same time the Golden Gate Bridge was being built. They have rich histories of fighting for and securing the strongest protections for media artists. Glover narrates the short film, “Halfway To Hell, The Workers And Unions That Built The Golden Gate Brid...2020-06-1228 minBreaking GroundPresident Steve Ingersoll & Financial Secretary Dave HarrisonJoin us as we talk with Operating Engineers Local 3 President Steve Ingersoll and Financial Secretary Dave Harrison as they discuss their backgrounds, how they’ve kept Local 3 working through the COVID-19 crisis and how political activism will play a key role in Labor’s future during this year’s General Election. They also discuss the historical and current role safety has played in the construction industry. 2020-05-0541 minBreaking GroundDan Reding, Business ManagerWelcome to the inaugural podcast of Operating Engineers Local 3 where we discuss all things Labor; history, politics and Local 3’s role in building a future for America. I hope you enjoy this as we break ground on a new way to communicate with the world.Right now, we are heading into the eye of the storm, the worst few weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unions have met tremendous challenges in the past and bucked impossible odds, but still this crisis is tremendously daunting. Two things have always helped unions succeed, solidarity and leadership. We are happy to ha...2020-04-1637 min