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Wellness & Well-being Highlights November 6
Wellness & Well-being Highlights
for the
Week of November 6, 2023
This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics concerning how the change from Daylight Savings Time physically and mentally influences your life to about how marijuana may do more harm than good when it comes to anxiety to how ride-share companies have been called out for issues related to wage theft. Today, I wish to shed some light on the topic of understaffing pharmacies across our communities. Have you been to a neighborhood pharmacy lately? It is not a stretch to suggest that what you will find is akin to 1920s sweatshop conditions! Too often, I have observed 1 pharmacist overseeing 3-4 pharmacy technicians behind the counter with little time to assist me: the patient. Furthermore, mainly because of COVID, several chains have added duties to the pharmacist’s to-do list in order to generate additional revenue: Think vaccines. In turn, there is less time for the 1 doctoral-level professional on-duty to address the specific health needs of her/his patients in a thorough, compassionate manner…ultimately impacting the safety and quality of life of both patients and employees! So, once again, we are confronted with the issue of worker shortages. However, if you dig deep enough, you will find there are plenty of pharmacists in this nation but few who are willing to work under the aforementioned conditions. Therefore, not unlike the nurses who are leaving their profession in droves, we are losing more institutional knowledge in this realm due to a healthcare system that arrogantly continues to place profits over people!
Sources: https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/cvs-walgreens-pharmacy-employees-work-2bae98d2?reflink=integratedwebview_share
https://the1a.org/segments/pharmageddon-and-the-future-of-retail-pharmacies/
The DST switch (1)
The DST switch (2)
The DST switch (3)
Children / PTSD / War
FAA / Pilots / MH
OH / Families / Addiction Strain
White House & Narcan in Schools
Loneliness & Addiction
MH Parity Compliance?
Insurance Cos / White House / MH Care
Anxiety & Marijuana?
Paradox of Compassion
On Giving Compliments
Impact of short-staffing Pharmacies (1)
Impact of short-staffing Pharmacies (2)
Hospitals & Drug Shortages
Update: Sickle Cell & Gene Editing
Infant deaths on the rise
Understanding “Intersex”
Maine Shooting & US Reaction
TBIs in Construction
College students & Unionization
UAW’s Young Activists
Toyota Workers Get Pay Bump
Tesla v UAW?
Portland / Teachers / Strike
Wage Theft & Uber
Construction / Amazon / Noose
Defined Benefit Plans Revisited
What is “Quiet Cutting”?
Update: Parent Plus Student Loans
Upcoming webinars, etc.:
Fitness & Nutrition Mythbusters
QPR: Suicide Prevention Training
NOTE: The links provided above are for informational purposes only. None of these serve as a substitute for medical advice one should obtain from his/her own primary care physician and/or mental health professional. Please contact johngaal@moaflcio.org with related questions or comments.
Missouri Works Initiative Partner Spotlight: Greg Burris
“Our role is to help with up front needs assessment and to assist students throughout their classroom experience by helping them overcome any barriers that would prevent their participation,” says Greg. “ We connect them with hotel rooms, transportation, or other resources in our community that they need. We want everyone who starts the program to finish the program because we think it’s a game changer.”
Missouri Apprentice Ready helps build community ownership by changing lives with sustainable career opportunities, which aligns with United Way’s upstream focus of helping individuals overcome the barriers to self sufficiency. “I have personally seen lives changed because of the Missouri Apprentice Ready program. Individuals go from living in cars or couch surfing to financial independence, and we think that is amazing,” says Greg. We help with housing, transportation, food insecurity, and whatever is necessary to keep them in class.”
One of Greg’s favorite moments in the program is graduation. “That’s when you see it all come together. Friends and family come to the ceremony to celebrate students and what they’ve accomplished. The trades are there too–not only to celebrate, but to offer jobs. These are the goosebump moments because you have people who have gone through the program showing what they can do, and the labor trades are pitching them job offers. Sometimes graduates have multiple offers to choose from when a few weeks before, they had no stable job prospects,” says Greg. “They are quickly in a position to have a level of ownership in their community and help spread hope to others, coming full circle. Helping your neighbor weaves a tighter social fabric that benefits everyone.”
Start your journey here.
Missouri Works Initiative Partner Spotlight: Justin McCarty
After being modeled on the successful BUD program in St. Louis, the Missouri Works Initiative brought the Missouri Apprentice Ready program to Springfield in 2021. “The MO AFL-CIO gave a presentation at the Springfield Building Trades meeting. I remember after the meeting all the trades were very interested in this program, and being able to help those who may not know how to enter the construction trades, or who may not know about an apprenticeship,” says Justin. “The Missouri Works Program is a great way to explore different trades and discover which one is the best fit for you. This 5-week program provides essential safety training and detailed information about multiple trades, giving you a chance to learn and understand their unique characteristics.”
Justin’s family has been in the plumbing and pipefitting industry since 1913. “I am a 5th generation Local 178 member, but I initially struggled with the idea of pursuing a career in this field. Eventually I recognized that my current job was not a sustainable career that could support a family and finally decided to pursue an apprenticeship. I began as a helper for a shop, doing tasks like sweeping floors, delivering materials, and assisting Journeymen in their work.” Justin was eventually accepted into the apprenticeship program, marking the beginning of his career in the field. “The benefits, such as retirement, health care and continuing education have been great. Nowadays, I take pride in driving my children around and pointing out buildings, proudly yelling, ‘I helped build that’.”
“As the President, I want to recognize that the hardworking men and women of the Springfield Central Labor Council are the backbone of our organization,” says Justin. “We are constantly seeking new ways to improve our relationship with our communities and members. We collaborate with other groups to identify ways to build a better community and work with local elected officials to set policies that benefit everyone without hurting the working class. Ultimately, we all share the same goal of creating a better future for our families and community.”
Start your journey here.
Missouri Works Initiative Partner Spotlight: Rosanna Privitera-Biondo
When approached by Rudy Chavez with the offer to become a supporter of the Kansas City area Missouri Apprentice Ready program, it was an easy yes for Mark One Electric President and CEO, Rosanna Privitera-Biondo. “We had worked together previously through IBEW Local 124 and wanted to move forward,” says Privitera-Biondo. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to help find future tradespeople in Missouri – they offer 20-plus trade opportunities!”
A trusted Kansas City electrical company, Mark One Electric believes in the Missouri Apprentice Ready program and illustrates their support by providing their local program with a space to meet and conduct training. But they don’t stop there. Additionally, they give students and instructors access to necessary tools and equipment at no charge to the program.
Founded in 1974 by Rosanna’s parents, Carl and Josephine Privitera, Mark One has been giving back to the Kansas City area for decades. They began by servicing small business, commercial and industrial accounts and quickly developed a reputation for completing difficult jobs for demanding clients and were soon working in major plants and industrial facilities across the country. Mark One has continued to evolve and diversify, offering an impressive scope of electrical construction services from design, build and pre-construction to underground, data/communications and specialty systems.
With over 200 employees they are considered the specialty contractor of choice for the Kansas City construction community. “We care about the people of Missouri. We want to give them opportunities to work with their hands in a good industry that has many opportunities in the construction industry,” says Rosanna. “This program is helping by educating people about all the opportunities that the construction industry has to offer for tradespeople. It shows them that this is a good field to work in with endless possibilities.
Mark One Electric has hosted two cohorts and always engages to support students’ career readiness. They currently employ two Missouri Apprentice Ready Kansas City participants – Cohort 2 graduate John Weir and Cohort 5 graduate Naomi Alexander who are IBEW 124 apprentices. “If you’re looking for a way to start a career in the union trades and gain valuable connections that carry on even after you graduate, then this program is where you want to be,” says Naomi.
Start your journey here.
Keseanna’s Story: Missouri Works Initiative
Struggling to make ends meet with her previous job, Keseanna was hopeful when her mom shared a Missouri Works Initiative Facebook post with her. “I wasn’t having the best experience at my job, so I decided to give this program a chance and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life,” she says.
The hands-on experiences with different trade experts and the fact that the 5-week program provides necessary items like PPE helped Keseanna pave a path for success in carpentry. “Rudy and everyone involved with the Missouri Works Initiative helped me elevate and I couldn’t be more grateful. This is a brilliant program from brilliant people,” says Keseanna. “I would like to build my own house one day and I’m positive this will help. This career will get me that plus more.”
“It’s changed my life tremendously! I went from not knowing which way to go, to having a full blown career. I’m grateful for the experience and the whole staff behind this program. I’ve been so in shock and emotional since I’ve been on this journey. I have never earned over $15 an hour before or been so hands on. I’m grateful for that and always will be. When I was in high school I wanted to be an architect, so to learn the ins and outs of building is an experience I’ll always take with me,” shares Keseanna.
If you are ready for a rewarding, life-sustaining career, Keseanna encourages you to follow her lead. “This is a program you literally can’t lose at. It’s nothing but a good experience and opportunity. It’s too good to pass up. If you’re a hard worker and hands on, this is perfect for you and can be a huge benefit to your life.”
Start your journey here.
Ciji’s Story: Missouri Works Initiative
“As a single mom, I used to work two jobs without benefits and still couldn’t afford my own place to live,” says Ciji. After completing the five week Apprentice Ready Program, she is now employed full-time with Laborers 663, including benefits. Having achieved the economic stability to provide a home for her family and regain custody of her son, Ciji is no longer uncertain of the future.
Wanting to create a better life for herself and her son, Ciji didn’t know where to turn until her Kansas City halfway house counselor gave her an Apprentice Ready Program flier. She quickly moved to Springfield and joined its first cohort. She was mildly concerned about being a woman pursuing the building trades, but as she made connections through the Missouri Works Initiative and United Way of the Ozarks, she grew confident in her decision. As for the physicality of the work, Ciji says the experience “…has taught me that I can work just as good as a man.”
After a week of orientation, Ciji was able to visit each trade, eventually choosing the Labor Union. “I do a lot of concrete, demolition, commercial remodeling, and job site cleanup. I like that every day I can do something different,” she says.
Ciji is already looking to the future, when one day she hopes to become a foreman. She says, “I’d love to be able to work my way up the ladder–to accomplish that. My life now is so much better than the life I was living. The pay is great, I have job security, and everyday is a new learning experience. If you’re out there considering this program, just do it! Quit putting it off and take that first step!”
Start your journey here.
Wellness & Well-being Highlights October 30
Wellness & Well-being Highlights
for the
Week of October 30, 2023
This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics on how the poor well-being of workers has been linked to chronic health conditions to how stigma continues to take a toll on both pilots and construction workers to how prisons are partnering with colleges to assist inmates with earning degrees. Today, I wish to shed some light on the topic of mental health and how non-traditional entities within our communities have stepped up to address a major public health crisis across the USA. During COVID, I noticed that St. Louis County Public Library offered a series of webinars covering aspects of mental health on a regular basis (i.e., stress management, nutrition, yoga, etc.). Having time on my hands, I participated in most of what was presented by various partnering regional agencies. To this end, it was no surprise that when I visited my local branch, a few weeks ago, they were providing Harm Reduction supplies (i.e., Narcan) as well as private appointments with licensed Social Workers free-of-charge. When I was I child, I never viewed my public library as a source for anything but books or a quiet place to study. Now, it warms my heart that an entity so remotely related to mental health (at least in my mind) is filling a much-needed void because federal government officials and/or agencies have failed to respond in a timely/appropriate manner. A sign of the times seems to be that teachers and police officers must ‘double-up’ as social workers, firefighters as paramedics, librarians as mental health supporters, and so on. Whether or not this phenomenon is due to a lack of funding, a worker shortage, or because humans are such complex beings a true professional can no longer remain occupationally myopic, I am proud to see that leaders in my community broke away from turf-mentalities and rigid job descriptions, in the name of the greater good, to serve their patrons…many of whom NEED—but cannot afford—these resources!
Source: https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/library-services-homeless-mental-health-e1f513b7
Public Libraries & Mental Health
Homelessness & Brutal Winters
Food Insecurity
Employers target HC costs
Employers & Harassment, etc.
Workers / Poor Well-being / Chronic Conditions
MH & HC Workers
MH / Struggling Pilots / Stigma
MH Stigma in Construction
Meta sued for MH harm to Youth
Teens / Parents / Tracking Phones
Update: Military Suicides
PTSD Support
Employers & Naloxone in the Workplace
Safe Drug Consumption Sites?
Suboxone & The crime of diversion
Babies Impacted by Opioids
Update: Tranq in Philly
>100k OD Deaths & Congress has NO answer!
New Movie: Pain Hustlers
Menopause Hormone Therapy & Dementia
Women & Stroke Risks
Healthy Short Runs
Climate Anxiety & Therapy
Anxiety & Foods
Red Meat Warning
Alcohol & Sex
A Soap for Cancer?
Wash your Pillows!
Sleep & Yoga
Your Dog’s MH
On increasing worker power
Final Rule on Davis-Bacon
Update: UAW & Ford
Update: UAW & Stellantis
Update: UAW & GM
OSHA Fines in Q3-2023: STL Contractor
RTO’s impact on Retirement
College Behind Bars (1)
College Behind Bars (2)
College Behind Bars (3)
College Behind Bars (4)
Russia & Prison Labor
Mixed message: Team v Me
Just leave me alone!
Gaming the H1-B visa program
Why employees ignore perks
Gen X’s differing benefits
More on student loans
Upcoming webinars, etc.:
Overcoming Stigma
UAW Hygiene Products Drive: Please Support
NOTE: The links provided above are for informational purposes only. None of these serve as a substitute for medical advice one should obtain from his/her own primary care physician and/or mental health professional. Please contact johngaal@moaflcio.org with related questions or comments.
Wellness & Well-being Highlights October 23
Wellness & Well-being Highlights
for the
Week of October 23, 2023
This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics on how the early 1980’s misguided “War on Drugs” has failed generations of US citizens to how aimlessly spending time on your phone (aka doomscrolling) is considered a new 21st century addiction to how matters concerning race and ethnicity have changed over the past 200 years. Today, I wish to shed some light on the importance of YOUR input. I realize we all have limited time to deal with issues that at first may appear to be less urgent/important to one’s immediate wants/needs/desires. Today, if you are connected to the STL construction industry I respectfully ask that you participate in the first survey linked below. And, on any level, if you are involved with construction apprenticeship programs, I kindly ask that you participate in the second survey linked below. Believe me, input from our readers from past surveys has swayed how the construction industry moved forward. Case in point: Consider where we were 7 years ago on topics of mental health, opioids awareness, and suicide prevention vs where we are today. Earlier this past week I spoke with a couple of trusted colleagues/friends. When it comes to the construction industry, we agreed that the time has come to stop talking about DEI and start acting…based on evidence!
Sources: https://www.constructforstl.org/survey-benchmarking-construction-culture/
https://research.ifebp.org/s3/App24?utm_campaign=2024%20Apprenticeship%20-%20101923_Reminder&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua
Narcan on College Campuses
Fentanyl & Failed Policies
Opioids Settlement: Another Pharma Files Bankruptcy
Unintended use of Opioids Settlement funds?
MH / TikTok / Harvard
Troubled Teens: Trauma v Therapy
Helping Anxious Kids
Women / Inflation / MH
Gradual Onset Stress
Mindset Worker MH: Finances
Family Rituals & MH
Falling into the Doom Loop
Is Doomscrolling the new drug?
Inferiority Complex
Grief / Food / Community
The decline of US healthcare
Your max heart rate?
Your grip
Breathwork v Meditation
Myths about Sex
Helped, Heard, or Hugged?
Sleep & Yoga
Ergonomics & Pain Reduction
Pregnant Women / Drugs / Jail
Mobile V-Lab (Male birth control)
Medicare & Enrollment Risks
Insurers shortchange MH Parity
UAW & Grad Students
Prison Guard Strike?
Skills- v Degree-based hirings
More on Child Labor (1)
More on Child Labor (2)
Stowaways & Migration
More on Race
Tips on DEI in Construction
Construction’s Default: Diversity not Racism?
Workplace harassment: Israel/Hamas
What is Leavism?
Update: Student Loans
Upcoming webinars, etc.:
EBSA Mental Health Parity
MHFA: Adult & Youth
CALM TTT
MH in Construction
Construction Culture Survey (Please engage)
International Apprenticeship Survey (Please engage)
NOTE: The links provided above are for informational purposes only. None of these serve as a substitute for medical advice one should obtain from his/her own primary care physician and/or mental health professional. Please contact johngaal@moaflcio.org with related questions or comments.
Dakota’s Story: Missouri Works Initiative
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Dakota struggled in a low paying, non-union factory job that failed to create a safe space amidst the toxic homophobic prejudices of his coworkers.
“I heard about Missouri Apprentice Ready through a friend who went through the program and got placed. When he heard how not great my factory job was, he suggested I take the class and learn a trade,” says Dakota.
Dakota hadn’t previously considered a career in the trades because it’s not necessarily the first place a gay man thinks of as a welcoming work environment. But his worries over discrimination were set at ease. “I went down to the hall and talked to my business agent and the president. I asked if the hall was going to discriminate and found that there is a whole system written in the constitution and bylaws that make sure no apprentice or journeyman is discriminated against. Working for a union or a union company, you’ll have clear expectations and protection and know where you stand,” says Dakota. “The fact that a union is a direct democracy that I can participate in and have some control of the work environment is empowering.”
Dakota recommends the apprenticeship-ready program to anyone who wants to make a change in their life. “The program really walks you through all the different unions. You visit each and every hall and talk with members, you get a rundown of what the job is before you apply, so you really have a clear idea of what you’re getting into.”
After graduation, Dakota became an apprentice with Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 178. “Providing people with basic necessities really appealed to me,” he says. “Every day, I know that I’m going to be doing something that benefits the community and that the union has my back. I’m a craftsperson instead of just a worker that constantly feels he can be replaced at any moment. All of the journeymen have been professional and respectful. It’s a safe place for members of the LGBTQ+ community because of the union culture. We call ourselves brothers and sisters – we’re literally a family of labor.”
Start your journey here.
Wellness & Well-being Highlights October 16
Wellness & Well-being Highlights
for the
Week of October 16, 2023
This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics on how a US bankruptcy court judge recently wiped $1b of settlement funds owed to the US taxpayers off of a major culprit’s accounting ledger to mental health stigma is still afoot in the workplace (especially the construction industry) in spite of recent efforts by employers to how immigrant labor was exploited during the construction phase of the 2022 Men’s World Cup. Today, I wish to shed some light on the issues of college degrees, careers, and life expectancy. Having spent nearly 40 years in differing roles related to workforce development, I can attest to the fact that to remain significant one must continue to learn. Sadly, for the past +30 years our nation has blindly placed too much emphasis on the “College for All” mantra…upon high school graduation. I would like to suggest that a better approach is college for all when the time is right. Not all 18-year-olds are ready to reap the benefits that college provides. Going to college for the sake of going—because that is what “everybody” does—is a bit misguided. Why? At the 30,000’ level: Student debt has ballooned to $1.7t…$0.5t more than the housing subprime debacle in 2007 that, in an economic sense, brought the world to its knees! At the 30’ level: We all do not learn the same way. I, for one, benefited from going through a US-DOL Registered Apprenticeship Program in Carpentry before ever earning a college degree. This social maturation process allowed me to immediately apply theory to practice that consequently opened career doors in the field, office, and university. To this end, is it any wonder why you now see universities across this nation marketing their degrees’ connections to the workforce? More importantly, employers have recently had an epiphany with regards to basing an increasing amount of their hiring decisions on what someone can do vs what someone may have learned. Furthermore, is it any wonder why you now see an explosion of industry-related micro-credentials (i.e., edX, Coursera, etc.)? Nevertheless, as a nation, we cannot ignore what contemporary research has revealed:
Need I say more?
Sources: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/03/opinion/life-expectancy-college-degree.html?searchResultPosition=2
https://fortune.com/2023/10/11/companies-increasing-skills-gap-based-hiring-over-degrees/amp/
Life expectancy & College
Jobs linked to Overdoses
NY opioids settlement
Opioids settlement & “Court-approved” Bankruptcy
Immigrants / Overdose Deaths / Action
CA & Forced MH Treatment
MH stigma in Construction (1)
MH stigma in Construction (2)
Is MH improving in the workplace?
Steps to addressing MH in the workplace
Students / MH Crisis / Lack of Professionals
MH & Work-Life Balance
AI & Empathy
AI & Training
New study: Genetics & Suicide risks
Definition of Insanity
Smartphones / Porn / Teens
Safe house for women
An exercise mindset
Caring w/ Accountability
Lawyer-less Courtrooms?
Safety Boots
The Black Belt Brain
New Brain Atlas
NFL / Retirees / Disability Benefits
Suspended: Talks between Actors & Hollywood
UAW & Retirement Benefits
UAW: Wage comparisons
Tesla / Germany / Safety issues
The Walgreens Walkout?
Kaiser-Perm reaches a new deal
A doctors’ union?
Child Labor & Chocolate
World Cup & Exploiting Labor
Hiring: Skills vs Degrees
STL Worker Safety?
3D printed Housing
Upcoming webinars, etc.:
Roundtable: Better Job Site Culture
Addressing the Childcare Crisis
NOTE: The links provided above are for informational purposes only. None of these serve as a substitute for medical advice one should obtain from his/her own primary care physician and/or mental health professional. Please contact johngaal@moaflcio.org with related questions or comments.