America’s Work Force Union Podcast
About
Available on
Community
930 episodes
President of the National Treasury Employees Union https://www.nteu.org/, Doreen Greenwald, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about funding of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and potential cuts to the agency. She also discussed adequately funding the government through the IRS and why the government is dealing with a workforce deficit. Pat Gallagher, President of the North Coast Area Labor Federation https://unionhall.aflcio.org/north-coast-area-labor-federation/about-us/patrick-gallagher, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the relationship between the United Steelworkers https://www.usw.org/ and U.S. Steel. Gallagher also questioned the legitimacy of Nippon Steel purchasing U.S. Steel and explained his belief that Chinese steel dumping is threatening the American steel industry.
To round out our coverage of Women’s History Month, Merrilee Logue, Executive Director for the Blue Cross Blue Shield’s https://www.bcbs.com/ (BCBS) National Labor Office https://www.bcbs.com/national-labor-office (NLO), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss women’s inequality and health equity. Andrew Snell, Organizing Committee Member for the newly formed Activision Quality Assurance United-Communication Workers of America (AQAU-CWA) https://cwa-union.org/ — a part of the Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA) https://code-cwa.org/ — joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how Quality Assurance Workers at Activision became the largest group of union-represented workers in any U.S. game studio. Snell, a QA tester, also discussed some workplace issues and what this organizing victory could mean for unions and the tech industry.
Bill Samuel, Director of Government Affairs for the AFL-CIO https://aflcio.org/, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the passage of a Federal budget for this fiscal year, and how the political division in Congress has led to the least amount of legislation passed during a Congressional Session in history. A labor steward and Executive Board Recording Secretary with LIUNA Local 596 https://laborerslocal596.org/ in Massachusetts, Chelsea Fenton, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast as we continue our coverage of Women’s History Month. Fenton talked about her journey to the union, her growth in the Local and how she’s established a network for tradeswomen in Western Massachusetts along with a large following on social media.
Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT) https://www.insulators.org/, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the progress on the Mechanical Insulation Act. Iemini also discussed a new program to help leaders within the union recognize and assist members needing mental health care. As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, Latoya Mathis, a union and servicing representative for the United Food and Commercial Workers https://www.ufcw.org/ Local 75 https://www.ufcw75.org/ in Dayton, Ohio, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about how the union supported her and allowed her to graduate college. She also talked about her work to help empower young women in the union and guide them toward success.
East Palestine resident and LIUNA Local 1058 https://www.laborpa.org/ member Chris Albright and Editor-in-Chief for The Real News Network https://therealnews.com/author/maximillian-alvarez, Maximillian Alvarez, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to follow up on the event in East Palestine, Ohio over the weekend, the support they received from unions and what union leaders can do to help the residents of East Palestine. Tom Buffenbarger, an independent labor voice, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his reaction to the tragic events unfolding in Baltimore after a ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge leading to its collapse. Buffenbarger then discussed the history of Boeing’s leadership changes that led to their current situation and how it compares to what he experienced with General Electric. The clip from today's show was brought to you by our good friends and one of our fantastic sponsors, the Alliance for American Manufacturing. Click here to learn more about the concerns with Chinese shipbuilding. https://www.americanmanufacturing.org/press-release/chinas-dominion-of-the-worlds-shipbuilding-capacity-threatens-u-s-economic-and-national-security-aam-statement/
Continuing our Women’s History Month coverage, America’s Work Force Union Podcast was joined by the first female trainer for the United Association Veterans in Piping Program https://www.uavip.org/, Rachel Leblance. She discussed her journey into the program, how she became a trainer and how the Department of Defense SkillBridge program helped shape her life. Mary Anne Trasciatti, Director of Labor Studies at Hofstra University https://www.hofstra.edu/faculty-staff/faculty-profile.html?id=1527 and President of the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition https://rememberthetrianglefire.org/about-us/board/, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the 113th anniversary of the deadly fire in 1911. Trasciatti talked about how the aftermath of the fire helped workers in the garment industry, the new memorial and how it educates the public. President of the Transportation Trades Department https://ttd.org/, Greg Regan, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the rising attacks on letter carriers and legislation to help prevent the violence. Regan also discussed the REEF Act and his letter supporting the CEO of Norfolk Southern following a Wall Street special interest investor’s attempt to remove him.
Vice President of the Northwest Region of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes- International Brotherhood of Teamsters https://www.bmwe.org/default.aspx, Staci Moody-Gilbert, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast as part of our ongoing Women’s History Month coverage. Moody-Gilbert discussed her roles in the union, the number of councils and caucuses she advises and what it was like as a woman in a male-dominated industry. James Walker, Director of the United Steelworkers Sub-District 1 https://www.usw.org/, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his journey to Sub-District 1 Director. Walker also talked about the efforts to keep the steel industry in America including a joint union 301 petition, and a District 1 pilot program to develop local organizers.
Dave McCall, President of the United Steelworkers https://www.usw.org/, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel and President Biden’s recent comments that cast doubt on the finality of the deal. President of the United Faculty of Florida https://myuff.org/, Teresa M. Hodge, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her experience as a woman of color in the UFF, and how her union helped lead her into a leadership position. Hodge also talked about the concerted efforts by Florida’s legislators to eliminate public sector unions and any DEI efforts in higher education institutions.
Our next guest for Women’s History Month, Tinita Cole, American Federation of Government Employees https://www.afge.org/ 6th District National VA Council https://www.afge.org/districts/district6/ Representative, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about her journey through the union while dealing with discrimination and how the union helped her. As labor continues to increase its focus on worker mental health and ensuring workers have the opportunity for a positive work-life balance, the America’s Work Force Union Podcast is presenting portions of United Autoworkers https://uaw.org/ President Shawn Fain’s testimony on Capitol Hill https://uaw.org/uaw-president-fain-testifies-at-u-s-senate-help-committee-hearing-on-a-32-hour-workweek/ about the need for a 32-hour workweek. Special thank you to the UAW for providing Fain’s testimony, please visit the link here https://uaw.org/uaw-president-fain-testifies-at-u-s-senate-help-committee-hearing-on-a-32-hour-workweek/ to watch the entire video.
President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) https://www.oft-aft.org/, Melissa Cropper, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the first contract negotiations at Equitas Health Centers in Ohio. Cropper also discussed how two Ohio groups used awards from the American Federation of Teachers’ 2023 back-to-school innovation grants. Maximillian Alvarez, Editor-in-Chief of The Real News Network https://therealnews.com/author/maximillian-alvarez and Chris Albright, an East Palestine, Ohio resident, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss an upcoming event in East Palestine that hopes to urge President Joe Biden to utilize the Stafford Act to help residents of the region following 2023’s Norfolk Southern derailment.
Adam Keller, co-host for The Valley Labor Report https://www.tvlr.fm/, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his speaking engagements from events this month focused on organizing and the power of unions. Keller then discussed recent organizing wins in the South and provided an update on the UAW’s efforts to organize in the region. The Director of Health and Safety for the International Association of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts https://bacweb.org/, Liliana Calderon, joined the America’ s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about her journey into the trade and how she adapted to the physical demands of the job. Calderon also discussed her work with the BAC Sisters RISE group and the women’s health programs available through the union.
Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications for the American Legion https://www.legion.org/, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the joint effort to provide scientifically proven training for suicide awareness between Columbia University and the Legion. Alliance for Retired Americans https://retiredamericans.org/ Executive Director Rich Fiesta joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the organization’s annual report, which outlines Congressional voting records from 2023 and how proposed cuts from a former U.S. President could impact workers and retirees.
Rachel Slade https://www.rachelslade.net/, the author of Making It in America https://www.rachelslade.net/making-it-in-america, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the subjects of her recent book, Ben and Whitney Waxman, and how they created an American-made apparel company with a United Steelworker https://www.usw.org/-organized workforce. Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing https://www.americanmanufacturing.org/, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the premiere of the documentary, Relighting the Flame https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua3xzatld-o. Paul also discussed the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Situation Summary https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm and how reliance on Chinese-made ships is being met with union opposition.
Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers https://www.aft.org/, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Women’s History Month and her journey as a vocal female labor leader. Weingarten also talked about the Cleveland Reads Program https://clevelandreads.com/ and how a pro-union president has impacted their organizing efforts. Former CEO of Cummins American, Bill Jones, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the US Steel buyout by Nippon Steel and what risks it presents for the future of U.S. National Security and the members of the United Steelworkers https://www.usw.org/.
President of the Ohio AFL-CIO https://www.ohioaflcio.org/, Tim Burga, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent support for the state’s proposed independent redistricting efforts from former California governor Arnold Scwarzenegger. Burga also provided an update on the People Not Politicians campaign and how the upcoming primaries could impact unions in Ohio. Frank Mathews, Administrative Director of Communication Workers of America District 4 https://cwad4.org/, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the women featured in District 4’s Women in Labor coverage. Mathews also discussed the broadband expansion projects in West Virginia and how the CWA assists states in developing their expansion plans.
President of the Professional Soccer Referees Association https://psraofficials.com/, Peter Manikowski, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the organization and why members are being locked out of the new MLS https://www.mlssoccer.com/ season by their employer. Manikowski also discussed the differences in management between their last successful negotiations in 2019 and now. Julie Hedrick, National President of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants https://www.apfa.org/, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the nationwide day of action by flight attendants on Feb. 13. Hedrick also discussed the status of the negotiations with American Airlines https://www.aa.com/homePage.do and what the union believes is their next step in the process.
Thom Kay, Program Manager for Energy Transition at the BlueGreen Alliance https://www.bluegreenalliance.org/, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the hardships faced in coal mining communities after the mines shut down. He also spoke about a Workforce Transition Plan to help workers in the fossil-fuel industry find suitable employment after losing their jobs. Andrew Strom, contributing writer to the On-Labor Blog https://onlabor.org/, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the new U.S. Department of Labor final rule on worker misclassification and the need for the courts to favorably rule on OSHA regulations to protect independent contractors.
Abby Lawlor, co-author of Rules to Win By: Power and Participation in Union Negotiations https://global.oup.com/academic/product/rules-to-win-by-9780197690468?cc=us&lang=en&, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her time as an organizer and researcher. Lawlor then discussed the book she co-authored and shared some of the case studies and key elements of successful negotiations covered in the book. Child Labor Advocacy Director for the Child Labor Coalition https://stopchildlabor.org/, Reid Maki, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to recap the work his organization did in 2023 to prevent bills from being passed to weaken child labor laws in the U.S. and reported on child labor violations found last year.
Continuing our Women’s History Month coverage, Marilyn Sneiderman, Executive Director of the Center for Innovation in Worker Organization (CIWO) at Rutgers University https://smlr.rutgers.edu/faculty-research-engagement/center-innovation-worker-organization-ciwo, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her work to engage members and improve diversity with AFSCME https://www.afscme.org/, Teamsters https://teamster.org/ and AFL-CIO https://aflcio.org/. Sneiderman then discussed her work with CIWO and how she hopes it will help strengthen the labor movement's future. Executive Director of the United Labor Agency https://ulagency.org/, Dave Megenhardt, and Clinical Director for the ULA’s Counseling Center, Alicia Boreman, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the organization's new mental health counseling program and the other services the center is providing to Cleveland-area workers.
President of The NewsGuild-Communication Workers of America https://newsguild.org/, Jon Schleuss, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the increase in strikes from union newsrooms in America. Schleuss discussed what contributes to newsrooms' inability to negotiate new contracts and how this could permanently damage news coverage nationwide. America’s Work Force Union Podcast continues our coverage of Women’s History Month as Grace Catania, a former chairperson of the CWA National Women’s Committee https://cwa-union.org/national-issues/human-rights/womens-committee and Co-Vice President of the Chicago News Guild Local 3407 https://www.chicagonewsguild.org/1, joined the show to discuss immigrating from Poland with no understanding of English and eventually becoming a leader for the CWA National Women’s Committee.
As March begins, so too does Women’s History Month. The America’s Work Force Union Podcast begins its coverage by sitting down with the Secretary-Treasurer of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers https://www.ifpte.org/, Gay Henson, as she discusses her journey through the IFPTE. Kisha Byrd from the United Steelworkers https://www.usw.org/ Local 10-00086 joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about her journey in a male-dominated industry and the impact the Women of Steel https://www.usw.org/act/activism/women-of-steel conference had on her.
Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council https://columbusconstruction.org/, Dorsey Hager, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a new contract between Transport Workers Union of America Local 208 https://local208.twu.org/ and the Central Ohio Transit Authority https://cota.com/. Hager also discussed proposed improvements to the regional transit infrastructure and the ongoing issues with the John Glenn International Airport terminal expansion project. As the America’s Work Force Union Podcast wraps up its Black History Month coverage, we have one bonus segment. Fred Redmond, AFL-CIO https://aflcio.org/ Secretary-Treasurer, joined us to talk about his journey from a young black man working with his father as a Steelworker in Chicago to eventually becoming the highest-ranking African-American in the history of the labor movement.
On the final day of Black History Month, the America’s Work Force Union Podcast featured the duo that became the first black women to lead a state labor council in AFL-CIO https://aflcio.org/ history, Washington State Labor Council https://www.wslc.org/ President April Sims and Secretary-Treasurer Cherika Carter. Carter discussed her journey to the labor movement, how Sims and herself came to work together and their work to improve diversity and inclusion in Washington unions. Bob Funk, Founder of LaborLab https://laborlab.us/, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the work his organization does to educate and inform unions on union-busting activities by corporations. Funk also discussed LaborLab’s banner year in 2023 and some of the 2024 anti-union trends.
James Petrides, Mechanical Insulators LMCT https://lmct.insulators.org/ Senior Mechanical Insulation Specialist, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the public’s lack of knowledge about mechanical insulation and detailed how Mechanical Insulation Energy Audits are performed. Tom Buffenbarger, an independent union voice, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and addressed an alleged controversy following the incident when a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9. He also discussed how the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers became a model union for diversity for the entire AFL-CIO.
Princess Moss, Vice President of the National Education Association https://www.nea.org/, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about finding a career in a union after seeking to help her fellow teachers in Virginia. Moss also spoke about the issues teachers face today and how respecting their work could help prevent more teachers from leaving the education field. Vice President of the Employer Health Strategy team for Hello Heart https://www.helloheart.com/, Jenn Roberts, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss what Hello Heart is doing to improve hearth health education for union members and their work to lower the number of workers suffering from cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Phil Sossenheimer, a Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellow at Stanford University and a representative of the Committee of Interns and Residents - Service Employees International Union (CIR-SEIU) https://www.cirseiu.org/, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the organization. Sossenheimer discussed the largest group of house staff in the Midwest to organize, and the first contract for Stanford residents. Reese Saulter III, International Vice President of the Southern Region of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWED) https://www.bmwe.org/default.aspx, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his introduction to unions at a young age. Saulter also talked about his journey with the Brotherhood and the fight for paid sick leave for members.
Arnold Scott, American Federation of Government Employees District 6 https://www.afge.org/National Vice President, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how a federal government shutdown will hurt federal employees. He also spoke about the fight to increase the pay of federal employees and the strides made by the AFGE to diversify membership to improve working conditions for African Americans. Roxanne Brown, United Steelworkers https://www.usw.org/ International Vice President at Large, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about the loss of 900 jobs at a West Virginia tin mill. She also explained some of the USW’s concerns regarding the acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan-based Nippon Steel.
Bill Samuel, AFL-CIO https://aflcio.org/ Legislative Director, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss ongoing issues in Congress, specifically their inability to pass a budget plan for the year. Samuel also addressed proposed cuts to worker protection programs and a constitutional challenge to the National Labor Relations Board. International Brotherhood of Teamsters https://teamster.org/ Local 283 President Steve Hicks joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the status of negotiations at the Marathon Petroleum Refinery in Detroit and explain why members voted to approve a strike if negotiations do not improve.
Captain Paul Rodell, an executive council member of the Allied Pilots Association Teamsters Local 1224 https://www.apa1224.org/public_home.aspx, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Omni Air negotiations and the events that led to the members recently voting to approve a potential strike. Research Analyst for Good Jobs First https://goodjobsfirst.org/, Nya Anthony, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her recent report on racial inequality within the board seats at privatized state economic development corporations across nine states.
Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers https://www.oft-aft.org/, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about organizing campaigns in 2024. Cropper also talked about the organization’s biennial convention and the success of Literacy Across Ohio Day. Director Carl Kriss joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his upcoming documentary, Relighting the Flame https://secure.everyaction.com/BZNDFTXbR0aZJu4SKAAXkA2, which focuses on the fall and comeback of the steel industry in Northeast Ohio. Kriss talked about the inspiration behind the film and some of the worker stories that stuck with him.
