Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Vermont could be the next state to permanently guarantee union rights! We talk with Teamsters Local 597 President Curtis Clough about a major constitutional amendment making its way to the ballot. We dive into how labor leaders built bipartisan support, what this means for banning right-to-work laws, and how workers are organizing to lock in these protections forever.
00:00 Introduction & Vermont Workers' Rights Amendment
00:51 Why a Constitutional Amendment Is Needed
05:03 Unanimous Bipartisan Support in Vermont
06:32 Decoding the Amendment & Stopping Right-to-Work
07:48 Inspired by Illinois: How the Campaign Began
09:30 Federal Preemption, Taft-Hartley, and State Protections
12:23 The Grassroots Campaign Strategy for 2026
14:06 Why Permanent Worker Protections Matter Nationwide
✦ ABOUT ✦
Our single largest source of revenue *is our listeners* so your support really matters and helps us stay on the air!
Make a one time donation or become a monthly donor on our website or patreon:
https://www.tvlr.fm
patreon.com/thevalleylaborreport
Visit our official website for more info on the show, membership, our sponsors, merch, and more: https://www.tvlr.fm
Follow TVLR on Facebook: facebook.com/TheValleyLaborReport
Follow TVLR on Twitter: @LaborReporters
Follow Jacob on Twitter: @JacobM_AL
Follow TVLR Co-Creator David Story on Twitter: @RadiclUnionist
✦ CONTACT US ✦
Our phone number is 844-899-TVLR (8857), call or text us live on air, or leave us a voicemail and we might play it during the show!
✦ OUR ADVERTISERS KEEP US ON THE AIR! ✦
Support them if you can.
The attorneys at MAPLES, TUCKER, AND JACOB fight for working people. Let them represent you in your workplace injury claim.
Website: mtandj.com
Phone: (855) 617-9333
The MACHINISTS UNION represents workers in several industries including healthcare, the defense industry, woodworking, and more.
Website: iamaw44.org
Phone: (256) 286-3704
Email: organize@iamaw44.org
Do you need good union laborers on your construction site, or do you want a union construction job? Reach out to the IRONWORKERS LOCAL 477.
Website: ironworkers477.org
Phone: (256) 383-3334 (Jeb Miles)
Email: local477@bellsouth.net
The NORTH ALABAMA DSA is looking for folks to work for a better North Alabama, fighting for liberty and justice for all.
Email: dsanorthalabama@gmail.com
IBEW LOCAL 136 is a group of over 900 electricians and electrical workers providing our area with the finest workforce in the construction industry. You belong here.
Website: ibew136.org
Phone: (205) 833-0909
IFPTE - We are engineers, scientists, nonprofit employees, technicians, lawyers, and many other professions who have joined together to have a greater voice in our careers. With over 80,000 members spread across the U.S. and Canada, we invite you and your colleagues to consider the benefits of engaging in collective bargaining.
Website: ifpte.org
Phone: (202) 239-4880
THE HUNTSVILLE INDUSTRIAL WORKERS OF THE WORLD is a union open to any and all working people. Call or email them today to begin organizing your workplace - wherever it is.
Website: hsviww.org
Phone: (256) 651-6707
Email: organize@hsviww.org
ENERGY ALABAMA is accelerating Alabama’s transition to sustainable energy. We are a nonprofit membership-based organization that has advocated for clean energy in Alabama since 2014. Our work is based on three pillars: education, advocacy, and technical assistance.
Website: alcse.org
Phone: (256) 812-1431
Email: dtait@energyalabama.org
Website: rwdsu.info
Website: afge.org
Website: iupat.org
Unionly is a union-focused company created specifically to support organized labor. We believe that providing online payments should be simple, safe, and secure.
Website: unionly.io
Hometown Action envisions inclusive, revitalized, and sustainable communities built through multiracial working class organizing and leadership development at the local and state level to create opportunities for all people to thrive.
Website: hometownaction.org
Members of IBEW have some of the best wages and benefits in North Alabama. Find out more and join their team today!
Website: ibew558.org
Vermont could be the next state to permanently guarantee union rights! We talk with Teamsters Local 597 President Curtis Clough about a major constitutional amendment making its way to the ballot. We dive into how labor leaders built bipartisan support, what this means for banning right-to-work laws, and how workers are organizing to lock in these protections forever.
00:00 Introduction & Vermont Workers' Rights Amendment
00:51 Why a Constitutional Amendment Is Needed
05:03 Unanimous Bipartisan Support in Vermont
06:32 Decoding the Amendment & Stopping Right-to-Work
07:48 Inspired by Illinois: How the Campaign Began
09:30 Federal Preemption, Taft-Hartley, and State Protections
12:23 The Grassroots Campaign Strategy for 2026
14:06 Why Permanent Worker Protections Matter Nationwide
✦ ABOUT ✦
Our single largest source of revenue *is our listeners* so your support really matters and helps us stay on the air!
Make a one time donation or become a monthly donor on our website or patreon:
https://www.tvlr.fm
patreon.com/thevalleylaborreport
Visit our official website for more info on the show, membership, our sponsors, merch, and more: https://www.tvlr.fm
Follow TVLR on Facebook: facebook.com/TheValleyLaborReport
Follow TVLR on Twitter: @LaborReporters
Follow Jacob on Twitter: @JacobM_AL
Follow TVLR Co-Creator David Story on Twitter: @RadiclUnionist
✦ CONTACT US ✦
Our phone number is 844-899-TVLR (8857), call or text us live on air, or leave us a voicemail and we might play it during the show!
✦ OUR ADVERTISERS KEEP US ON THE AIR! ✦
Support them if you can.
The attorneys at MAPLES, TUCKER, AND JACOB fight for working people. Let them represent you in your workplace injury claim.
Website: mtandj.com
Phone: (855) 617-9333
The MACHINISTS UNION represents workers in several industries including healthcare, the defense industry, woodworking, and more.
Website: iamaw44.org
Phone: (256) 286-3704
Email: organize@iamaw44.org
Do you need good union laborers on your construction site, or do you want a union construction job? Reach out to the IRONWORKERS LOCAL 477.
Website: ironworkers477.org
Phone: (256) 383-3334 (Jeb Miles)
Email: local477@bellsouth.net
The NORTH ALABAMA DSA is looking for folks to work for a better North Alabama, fighting for liberty and justice for all.
Email: dsanorthalabama@gmail.com
IBEW LOCAL 136 is a group of over 900 electricians and electrical workers providing our area with the finest workforce in the construction industry. You belong here.
Website: ibew136.org
Phone: (205) 833-0909
IFPTE - We are engineers, scientists, nonprofit employees, technicians, lawyers, and many other professions who have joined together to have a greater voice in our careers. With over 80,000 members spread across the U.S. and Canada, we invite you and your colleagues to consider the benefits of engaging in collective bargaining.
Website: ifpte.org
Phone: (202) 239-4880
THE HUNTSVILLE INDUSTRIAL WORKERS OF THE WORLD is a union open to any and all working people. Call or email them today to begin organizing your workplace - wherever it is.
Website: hsviww.org
Phone: (256) 651-6707
Email: organize@hsviww.org
ENERGY ALABAMA is accelerating Alabama’s transition to sustainable energy. We are a nonprofit membership-based organization that has advocated for clean energy in Alabama since 2014. Our work is based on three pillars: education, advocacy, and technical assistance.
Website: alcse.org
Phone: (256) 812-1431
Email: dtait@energyalabama.org
Website: rwdsu.info
Website: afge.org
Website: iupat.org
Unionly is a union-focused company created specifically to support organized labor. We believe that providing online payments should be simple, safe, and secure.
Website: unionly.io
Hometown Action envisions inclusive, revitalized, and sustainable communities built through multiracial working class organizing and leadership development at the local and state level to create opportunities for all people to thrive.
Website: hometownaction.org
Members of IBEW have some of the best wages and benefits in North Alabama. Find out more and join their team today!
Website: ibew558.org
