speaker-0: This is International President Brian Bryant back with Shift Change or IM's official podcast. And we're joined right now with a very special guest, honored to have him on this podcast. And that's Troy Jackson, who's running for the U.S. Senate here in the state of Maine. Troy, welcome to our podcast.
speaker-1: Well, thanks so much, Brian. I really appreciate it. It's an honor to be here with you, brother. It is.
speaker-0: Well, we're up in in Brewer, Maine. and we've been canvassing in Brewer and Bangor, with union members and talking with them about the importance of this election and and most importantly, your election. You were out canvassing today. How did you feel?
speaker-1: Well, I mean good. I mean, you know, obviously l Labor Day, so a lot of people are out and it's a nice day. But the days the people that we had, you know, are excited. that's pretty much what I've been seeing. I mean, people, you know, are coming out like I've never seen before because they know this government's not working for everyday people and they want to change and and you know, that's what I've been arguing about for years and years is that you know, we can be doing so much better in this country, you know, having health care and You know, things that people care about. it shouldn't be that big of a challenge. And obviously, you know, working with all of you guys you know, make those changes is something that really excites me and you know, like I said, and so the canvasing was great. I expected that when I went out because like I said, I've been seeing this for really quite a long time now, over the last six months or whatever, that people are demanding better government.
speaker-0: Yeah. Yeah. Liz and I were talking earlier, you know, Senator Collins, you know, she's not gonna be able to hide behind the votes that she's taken that have drastically impacted workers in this state. And I'm glad that you you're highlighting those because you touched on healthcare. Her vote on the big beautiful bill, the tax breaks that these billionaires needed in this country is gonna be absolutely detrimental to many citizens right here in this area. But really the whole state of Maine is gonna be drastically impacted by it. And I'm I'm absolutely glad that you're hammering on that issue because that is an issue that is gonna drastically affect working people in this in this state.
speaker-1: A hundred percent.
speaker-0: The and it's gonna be if we don't change what's happening right now, that is gonna be something that is gonna be generational. The whole health industry in this state And I'm not talking about I'm talking about two things. The health industry for workers, but also the health industry for consumers is gonna be drastically impacted. People are not gonna be able to get the medical treatment that they need, that their family members need. And we've gotta keep we've gotta keep hammering on that because people need to be keep being reminded how Susan Collins is voted and how she is hurting working people in this state.
speaker-1: Yeah. I mean it's absolutely correct. I mean and it's not, you know, 'cause I'm running against her. I mean, like she's the chair of appropriations. I mean, you know, she's supposed to be the most powerful US senator in our entire system. And, you know, what we're gonna see, like you said, is our healthcare system in Maine and then really across the country is gonna crash. I mean, you know, they they've taken all this money here in Maine out of out of, you know, our Medicaid system. I believe it's over two billion dollars that's gonna you know, be taken out of Maine. We were already having tough enough time with health care. now we're seeing birthing centers close, one hospital in Waterville close, I believe there'll be more and like nursing homes. And a lot of people are losing their health insurance because, you know, they don't have the subsidies that make up for it. I mean, I think it what's on average going from eight hundred dollars a month now to nineteen hundred. I mean, you know, that's just unsustainable for far too many people. And and why? So Donald Trump and his, you know Married band of vassals got more money, you know. I mean I mean that's all this has really come down to is that they wanted more and and where did it come from? It came from our healthcare. So yeah, I mean, sh and she can't walk away from that. I mean, she had the opportunity to change it.
speaker-0: No, you know, I i it it's really not it it's not off on the topic, but it it's part of the conversation that needs to be had. Look, these billionaires can still make money. I don't know, I think there was I recently s read an article about Jeff Bezos' ex wife. She inherited thirty six billion dollars when they got divorced and she's given away upwards of like twenty four billion. Her net worth is still like thirty eight billion dollars. so even if they were paying taxes, they're still gonna be billionaires.
speaker-1: Well how you know, and how much money do you need? I mean, you know, honestly, like how many yachts? Yeah, exactly. Musk, you know, I mean, you know, our first trillionaire, so that he can play around and you know, ask I but in the end, you know, a world where everyday people you know, a country where everyday people have health care, I think is gonna be a lot better than what we have right now with a handful of people that are hoarding all the money. watching, you know, everyday people really suffer. you know, putting that money, I mean it's just like the minimum wage argument. You know, you you put more money into people's pockets, it makes everybody in the economy do better. And the same thing with healthcare. I mean, people having health care so that they can you know plan, they can live their lives, they can you know do things. I I just see that as a better society that makes people And and you know, wealthy people well off too. I mean, I don't begrudge wealthy people, but don't don't hold the rest of us back because you're d you know, that damn greedy. So
speaker-0: Yeah. You know, one of the one of the obviously one of the groups for us, the IAM. play a big part is our members at Local S six and local S seven at Bath Iron Works. you know, I've always thought that that Senator Collins does a good job at taking credit for work that she really never does. and I and I s bring this up 'cause I I would want our members to know two things. One, I believe and that you'll be a a fierce advocate. to get not only the same amount of work but additional work at Bath Ironworks. We've talked about this numerous times. Defense is important to just as important to you. Absolutely. And you know, I'm to go back, Senator Collins has just always been really good at taking credit for work that she doesn't really do. Because, you know, I would if it was anything I would want our members to hear about it. I take pride in that our union, the IAM, we probably do more for the ensuring that the ships that are put in each year to be built. We do more work making sure those go into the budget than what Susan Collins does. and I would want our members to know that. But I know that you'll be a fierce advocate for our members at Bath Ironworks with in S six and S seven.
speaker-1: Absolutely. I mean yeah, you're a hundred percent right. I mean, you know, six years ago, you know, when you guys were on strike, you know, we were I was down there. I mean, Sarah Gideon was down there. You know, I mean Collins is is, you know, not fighting in my opinion for the working class people there. If she fights for the shipyard, it's for general dynamics. you know, but I I actually don't see her doing enough. I mean, you know, we've talked about this before. I mean, you you know, Bath Ironworks builds destroyers. Ingalls in the last contract got seven. We got three here in Bath Ironworks. I mean, you know, if if you really do have that power, you would think at minimum you'd get five and five, you know, or more. You know, I mean, I I I so I really don't see where she's bringing stuff in. I mean, just like with Big Beautiful Bill, she likes to say that, you know, she got a a hundred and ninety million dollars in a rural health care initiative, but again, we're losing two billion dollars a year going out. I mean, so Every one of these arguments that she makes, I think is false, that she's really not doing very well as appropriation chair for the state, bringing those things in and yeah, I'm gonna f I mean the reason why I would be fighting for the shipyard is because of those six thousand members that are in the IAM that, you know, are are working class people and deserve to have somebody in their corner. not so corporations could, you know, make more money. so that, you know, we get those jobs. I mean, you know, what you guys just did with Like a seventeen percent increase in one year and stuff I mean, that's that's what we need to be fighting for, and that's what I'd be fighting for. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely.
speaker-0: Absolutely. You know, one of the issues that's really important to our to our members at Bath Ironworks is is that the administration is talking about the possibility of of having ships built by foreign countries. and we've heard absolutely cricket out of Senator Collins' office. And I know you would you would be totally against that. American
speaker-1: Buy American baby.
speaker-0: baby, absolutely. Build it here. Yeah. We've got the workforce and we can do it.
speaker-1: Yeah, and and you know, and to try and ups yeah, I mean I think if there's a way to upscale, you know, Brunswick so that there's even more opportunity to you know, the shipyard to you know, even more opportunity to build. I mean, I think that's what we should be doing, investing in this country, not in China, not in Korea, you know, not anywhere across seas. I mean, this is our defense, but it's it's jobs, it's good jobs, and that's what we want to make sure we have a lot more of in this country.
speaker-0: Yeah. J I mean Troy, just for our listeners, you've done some you've done some tremendous work at the in the state of Maine as in the Senate. But actually both in but in the House and the Senate. and it's w something that working people should be absolutely proud of that that you've done for them. And you know, one of them is the child care bill that you championed. Yeah. You know, talk about. Yeah.
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-0: I know it, but the our listeners I know those are the issues that you will champion in Washington D C.
speaker-1: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I think well, actually I think things like that is that's where they really gotta come from is Washington, 'cause there's you there's more ability to affect that. I mean, a state like Maine, we were able to put sixty million dollars into child care, but you know, it it isn't enough. I mean, there's still all kinds of need there, you know, people from one end of the state to the other. And like interestingly enough, that was something that Republicans and Democrats actually came together on because, you know, the Republicans realized that Having workers available was a big deal and and if you couldn't have good quality, affordable child care, then people couldn't go out to work. And so I do, I think this has become a huge deal. I mean, unfortunately, because we're in an economy where if you do have both parents in a household, they both have to work. And and you know, knowing that your children are being taken care of by people that are you know, professionals. has really become a big deal. And and the more of that we can do on the federal level, I think the more opportunity we're gonna create, you know, allowing people to go to work, making sure those kids have good early education, because that, you know, this is not a babysitting job. This is like a an opportunity to help children at an even earlier age. so yeah, I was I was proud of that. I mean, universal school meals, you know, we did a bunch of stuff on collective bargaining, paid family medical leave. I mean I think I think Maine has done a lot that we should be able to do on the federal level. care.
speaker-0: Trial care.
speaker-1: I think this care, this bucket of care debate is something that is absolutely simmering below the surface that more people need to be paying attention to. So I just wanna thank you for your leadership. People's, you know, top priority. but to bring the voices of the care providers and the fact that these have to be good. High wage jobs and right now they're undervalued, they're low paid, and they're some of the most in demand careers right now because we have a what I call a silver tsunami, right? The you know, is it 10,000 people a day are retiring, they're growing older, and we do not have a solution in this country for elder care. Well, I appreciate that Liz. I mean, I I I agree. I mean, it's it's you know, on both ends of the spectrum right now. Like you said, child care. And elder care. I mean, you we're having an awful time in the state with in home services, the cut meals on wheels, snap benefits. And then then on top of that, I mean, we have been even before nursing homes are in crisis here. We lost about forty percent in a state that, you know, we have an elderly population. So I I agree with you and and a lot of people just seem to not, you know, care so much about that, but but I do. I mean, you people that worked hard all their lives deserve to have, you know, the the understanding that, you know, they're gonna be able to have somebody help them and when they need it in later years and and you know, it really I don't know, it it's a hard thing to look at people and and tell that, you know, well I can't I can't do anything to find a nursing home bed for your, you know, your parents. I mean, we can't find the care in home I mean, those things are tough, you know, but and it shouldn't be like that in a country like the United States.
speaker-0: Well Troy, thank you for joining us. Thank you again. You know best of luck to you. Out there
speaker-1: I have every confidence we're gonna win this together.
speaker-0: and together because the no the IAM. and the AFL CIO we've all we've all endorsed you.
speaker-1: Mm-hmm.
speaker-0: because you're the right candidate for working people in the state and we're proud to support you and we're gonna make sure that we get you elected in November, so
speaker-1: Yeah, I'm proud to be a part of it. Thanks everyone. Appreciate it.
speaker-1: Well, thanks so much, Brian. I really appreciate it. It's an honor to be here with you, brother. It is.
speaker-0: Well, we're up in in Brewer, Maine. and we've been canvassing in Brewer and Bangor, with union members and talking with them about the importance of this election and and most importantly, your election. You were out canvassing today. How did you feel?
speaker-1: Well, I mean good. I mean, you know, obviously l Labor Day, so a lot of people are out and it's a nice day. But the days the people that we had, you know, are excited. that's pretty much what I've been seeing. I mean, people, you know, are coming out like I've never seen before because they know this government's not working for everyday people and they want to change and and you know, that's what I've been arguing about for years and years is that you know, we can be doing so much better in this country, you know, having health care and You know, things that people care about. it shouldn't be that big of a challenge. And obviously, you know, working with all of you guys you know, make those changes is something that really excites me and you know, like I said, and so the canvasing was great. I expected that when I went out because like I said, I've been seeing this for really quite a long time now, over the last six months or whatever, that people are demanding better government.
speaker-0: Yeah. Yeah. Liz and I were talking earlier, you know, Senator Collins, you know, she's not gonna be able to hide behind the votes that she's taken that have drastically impacted workers in this state. And I'm glad that you you're highlighting those because you touched on healthcare. Her vote on the big beautiful bill, the tax breaks that these billionaires needed in this country is gonna be absolutely detrimental to many citizens right here in this area. But really the whole state of Maine is gonna be drastically impacted by it. And I'm I'm absolutely glad that you're hammering on that issue because that is an issue that is gonna drastically affect working people in this in this state.
speaker-1: A hundred percent.
speaker-0: The and it's gonna be if we don't change what's happening right now, that is gonna be something that is gonna be generational. The whole health industry in this state And I'm not talking about I'm talking about two things. The health industry for workers, but also the health industry for consumers is gonna be drastically impacted. People are not gonna be able to get the medical treatment that they need, that their family members need. And we've gotta keep we've gotta keep hammering on that because people need to be keep being reminded how Susan Collins is voted and how she is hurting working people in this state.
speaker-1: Yeah. I mean it's absolutely correct. I mean and it's not, you know, 'cause I'm running against her. I mean, like she's the chair of appropriations. I mean, you know, she's supposed to be the most powerful US senator in our entire system. And, you know, what we're gonna see, like you said, is our healthcare system in Maine and then really across the country is gonna crash. I mean, you know, they they've taken all this money here in Maine out of out of, you know, our Medicaid system. I believe it's over two billion dollars that's gonna you know, be taken out of Maine. We were already having tough enough time with health care. now we're seeing birthing centers close, one hospital in Waterville close, I believe there'll be more and like nursing homes. And a lot of people are losing their health insurance because, you know, they don't have the subsidies that make up for it. I mean, I think it what's on average going from eight hundred dollars a month now to nineteen hundred. I mean, you know, that's just unsustainable for far too many people. And and why? So Donald Trump and his, you know Married band of vassals got more money, you know. I mean I mean that's all this has really come down to is that they wanted more and and where did it come from? It came from our healthcare. So yeah, I mean, sh and she can't walk away from that. I mean, she had the opportunity to change it.
speaker-0: No, you know, I i it it's really not it it's not off on the topic, but it it's part of the conversation that needs to be had. Look, these billionaires can still make money. I don't know, I think there was I recently s read an article about Jeff Bezos' ex wife. She inherited thirty six billion dollars when they got divorced and she's given away upwards of like twenty four billion. Her net worth is still like thirty eight billion dollars. so even if they were paying taxes, they're still gonna be billionaires.
speaker-1: Well how you know, and how much money do you need? I mean, you know, honestly, like how many yachts? Yeah, exactly. Musk, you know, I mean, you know, our first trillionaire, so that he can play around and you know, ask I but in the end, you know, a world where everyday people you know, a country where everyday people have health care, I think is gonna be a lot better than what we have right now with a handful of people that are hoarding all the money. watching, you know, everyday people really suffer. you know, putting that money, I mean it's just like the minimum wage argument. You know, you you put more money into people's pockets, it makes everybody in the economy do better. And the same thing with healthcare. I mean, people having health care so that they can you know plan, they can live their lives, they can you know do things. I I just see that as a better society that makes people And and you know, wealthy people well off too. I mean, I don't begrudge wealthy people, but don't don't hold the rest of us back because you're d you know, that damn greedy. So
speaker-0: Yeah. You know, one of the one of the obviously one of the groups for us, the IAM. play a big part is our members at Local S six and local S seven at Bath Iron Works. you know, I've always thought that that Senator Collins does a good job at taking credit for work that she really never does. and I and I s bring this up 'cause I I would want our members to know two things. One, I believe and that you'll be a a fierce advocate. to get not only the same amount of work but additional work at Bath Ironworks. We've talked about this numerous times. Defense is important to just as important to you. Absolutely. And you know, I'm to go back, Senator Collins has just always been really good at taking credit for work that she doesn't really do. Because, you know, I would if it was anything I would want our members to hear about it. I take pride in that our union, the IAM, we probably do more for the ensuring that the ships that are put in each year to be built. We do more work making sure those go into the budget than what Susan Collins does. and I would want our members to know that. But I know that you'll be a fierce advocate for our members at Bath Ironworks with in S six and S seven.
speaker-1: Absolutely. I mean yeah, you're a hundred percent right. I mean, you know, six years ago, you know, when you guys were on strike, you know, we were I was down there. I mean, Sarah Gideon was down there. You know, I mean Collins is is, you know, not fighting in my opinion for the working class people there. If she fights for the shipyard, it's for general dynamics. you know, but I I actually don't see her doing enough. I mean, you know, we've talked about this before. I mean, you you know, Bath Ironworks builds destroyers. Ingalls in the last contract got seven. We got three here in Bath Ironworks. I mean, you know, if if you really do have that power, you would think at minimum you'd get five and five, you know, or more. You know, I mean, I I I so I really don't see where she's bringing stuff in. I mean, just like with Big Beautiful Bill, she likes to say that, you know, she got a a hundred and ninety million dollars in a rural health care initiative, but again, we're losing two billion dollars a year going out. I mean, so Every one of these arguments that she makes, I think is false, that she's really not doing very well as appropriation chair for the state, bringing those things in and yeah, I'm gonna f I mean the reason why I would be fighting for the shipyard is because of those six thousand members that are in the IAM that, you know, are are working class people and deserve to have somebody in their corner. not so corporations could, you know, make more money. so that, you know, we get those jobs. I mean, you know, what you guys just did with Like a seventeen percent increase in one year and stuff I mean, that's that's what we need to be fighting for, and that's what I'd be fighting for. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely.
speaker-0: Absolutely. You know, one of the issues that's really important to our to our members at Bath Ironworks is is that the administration is talking about the possibility of of having ships built by foreign countries. and we've heard absolutely cricket out of Senator Collins' office. And I know you would you would be totally against that. American
speaker-1: Buy American baby.
speaker-0: baby, absolutely. Build it here. Yeah. We've got the workforce and we can do it.
speaker-1: Yeah, and and you know, and to try and ups yeah, I mean I think if there's a way to upscale, you know, Brunswick so that there's even more opportunity to you know, the shipyard to you know, even more opportunity to build. I mean, I think that's what we should be doing, investing in this country, not in China, not in Korea, you know, not anywhere across seas. I mean, this is our defense, but it's it's jobs, it's good jobs, and that's what we want to make sure we have a lot more of in this country.
speaker-0: Yeah. J I mean Troy, just for our listeners, you've done some you've done some tremendous work at the in the state of Maine as in the Senate. But actually both in but in the House and the Senate. and it's w something that working people should be absolutely proud of that that you've done for them. And you know, one of them is the child care bill that you championed. Yeah. You know, talk about. Yeah.
speaker-1: Yeah.
speaker-0: I know it, but the our listeners I know those are the issues that you will champion in Washington D C.
speaker-1: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I think well, actually I think things like that is that's where they really gotta come from is Washington, 'cause there's you there's more ability to affect that. I mean, a state like Maine, we were able to put sixty million dollars into child care, but you know, it it isn't enough. I mean, there's still all kinds of need there, you know, people from one end of the state to the other. And like interestingly enough, that was something that Republicans and Democrats actually came together on because, you know, the Republicans realized that Having workers available was a big deal and and if you couldn't have good quality, affordable child care, then people couldn't go out to work. And so I do, I think this has become a huge deal. I mean, unfortunately, because we're in an economy where if you do have both parents in a household, they both have to work. And and you know, knowing that your children are being taken care of by people that are you know, professionals. has really become a big deal. And and the more of that we can do on the federal level, I think the more opportunity we're gonna create, you know, allowing people to go to work, making sure those kids have good early education, because that, you know, this is not a babysitting job. This is like a an opportunity to help children at an even earlier age. so yeah, I was I was proud of that. I mean, universal school meals, you know, we did a bunch of stuff on collective bargaining, paid family medical leave. I mean I think I think Maine has done a lot that we should be able to do on the federal level. care.
speaker-0: Trial care.
speaker-1: I think this care, this bucket of care debate is something that is absolutely simmering below the surface that more people need to be paying attention to. So I just wanna thank you for your leadership. People's, you know, top priority. but to bring the voices of the care providers and the fact that these have to be good. High wage jobs and right now they're undervalued, they're low paid, and they're some of the most in demand careers right now because we have a what I call a silver tsunami, right? The you know, is it 10,000 people a day are retiring, they're growing older, and we do not have a solution in this country for elder care. Well, I appreciate that Liz. I mean, I I I agree. I mean, it's it's you know, on both ends of the spectrum right now. Like you said, child care. And elder care. I mean, you we're having an awful time in the state with in home services, the cut meals on wheels, snap benefits. And then then on top of that, I mean, we have been even before nursing homes are in crisis here. We lost about forty percent in a state that, you know, we have an elderly population. So I I agree with you and and a lot of people just seem to not, you know, care so much about that, but but I do. I mean, you people that worked hard all their lives deserve to have, you know, the the understanding that, you know, they're gonna be able to have somebody help them and when they need it in later years and and you know, it really I don't know, it it's a hard thing to look at people and and tell that, you know, well I can't I can't do anything to find a nursing home bed for your, you know, your parents. I mean, we can't find the care in home I mean, those things are tough, you know, but and it shouldn't be like that in a country like the United States.
speaker-0: Well Troy, thank you for joining us. Thank you again. You know best of luck to you. Out there
speaker-1: I have every confidence we're gonna win this together.
speaker-0: and together because the no the IAM. and the AFL CIO we've all we've all endorsed you.
speaker-1: Mm-hmm.
speaker-0: because you're the right candidate for working people in the state and we're proud to support you and we're gonna make sure that we get you elected in November, so
speaker-1: Yeah, I'm proud to be a part of it. Thanks everyone. Appreciate it.
