On today’s episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Jon Schleuss, President of the NewsGuild-CWA, discussed the resolution of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette strike and highlighted the enduring power of worker unity and the challenges faced by journalists nationwide. Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department (TTD) at the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the fallout from the recent government shutdown, the advancement of the Protect America’s Workforce Act and his new role on the Safety 21 advisory committee at Carnegie Mellon University.

Today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast featured Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications at the American Legion. Stoffer discussed the Legion’s advocacy during government shutdowns, efforts to combat scams targeting veterans, and the inspiring journey of a veteran-turned-entrepreneur – a feature story in the December issue of the American Legion Magazine. Rich Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a controversial Social Security disability rule, ongoing proposals to raise the retirement age and details about the Medicare open enrollment period.

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Anton Ruesing, Director of the Finishing Trades Institute (FTI) of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) joined the podcast to discuss FTI’s role, the differences between union and nonunion training, FTI’s partnerships to help veterans enter the trades and workforce needs as America faces critical infrastructure challenges.  Pat Gallagher, President of the North Coast Area Labor Federation and retired Steelworker, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss changes within the United Steelworkers, the evolving state of the U.S. steel industry and the increased participation of union members in politics.

This episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast featured Matthew Bruenig, labor lawyer and publisher of the legal tracking platform NLRB Edge. Bruenig discussed his motivation for launching an accessible and affordable resource for tracking National Labor Relations Board rulings, and then discussed the bipartisan Faster Labor Contracts Act. The America’s Work Force Union Podcast welcomed Dennis Torres and Bonnie Oconer, patient care technicians and members of the Service Employees International Union United Healthcare Workers West, who discussed their experiences in California dialysis clinics, revealing troubling findings regarding patient safety, chronic understaffing and hazardous working environments.

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT), joined the podcast to discuss organizing campaigns in public libraries, recent and controversial legislation in Ohio on child labor and ongoing legal battles over the state's teacher retirement system (STRS).  Jeff Bryant, Writing Fellow and Chief Correspondent for Our Schools, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the attacks on public education in America, the rise of school vouchers and privatization and the ongoing battle for adequate school funding.

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Cristina Hooper, a medical social worker and Service Employees International Union Local 1107 member at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, joined us to discuss what it took to win the first union contract at Sunrise Hospital. Hannah Halbert, Executive Director of Policy Matters Ohio, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Ohio Senate Bill 50 (SB50), a controversial piece of legislation in the Buckeye State. Halbert discussed the real-world impacts this bill could have on Ohio teens, employers and the broader community, highlighting what advocates and lawmakers are saying as Gov. Mike DeWine’s decision looms.

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Aaron Walsh, a labor recovery specialist with Laborers Escaping Adversity Now St. Louis (LEAN STL), joined the podcast to discuss the ongoing battle against anti-union policies in Missouri, the importance of mental health and addiction recovery in the trades and the strides made to expand peer support initiatives for union workers. In this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, the Suntrapp Workers Unite organizing campaign in Salt Lake City was discussed with Natalie Jankowski, lead bartender; Derek Peterson, administrative assistant to the owner; and Yara Albadri, marketing and events coordinator. The discussion centered on the closure of the Suntrapp Bar after workers initiated an organizing drive, the complexities of management-worker relations and the broader significance of their union effort within the local community.

Andrew Strom, a labor lawyer and adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the difficulties that American workers face when organizing, the limitations of new labor law reforms like the Faster Labor Contracts Act, and the transformative impact of strong union contracts in promoting upward mobility.  In today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we welcomed Natalie Robin, organizer for United Scenic Artists Local 829 (USA 829), and Dante Smith, a lighting designer and union member, for a deep dive into the unionization efforts at the Lighting Design Group (LDG).

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Bret Oesterich, National President of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), joined the show to discuss the state of the aviation industry, ongoing labor challenges and the impending merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.  Chris Rak, Vice President and Director for Missouri and Southern Illinois at Service Employees International Union Local 1, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing contract negotiations for janitorial workers in the St. Louis region.

This Veterans Day, the America’s Work Force Union Podcast welcomed Dan Wiley, National Commander of the American Legion, as one of our featured guests. Wiley reflected on his military background, the long-standing advocacy work of the Legion and the ongoing “Be the One” campaign to combat veteran suicide.  On this special Veterans Day edition of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Mike Hazard, Program Director of the United Association’s Veterans in Piping (UA VIP) program, joined the show to discuss the program, the need for more veterans in the skilled trades and the importance of hands-on training and post-military support. Since its inception, the UA VIP program has helped thousands of transitioning service members find stable, family-supporting careers in the pipe trades.

Today’s episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast featured Frank Mathews, Administrative Director for District 4 of the Communications Workers of America (CWA). Mathews focused on the recent elections, ongoing challenges with gerrymandering and the importance of union-led education and solidarity, highlighted by District 4’s recent conference in Cincinnati. In this episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Tracie McMillan, project editor for the "Striking Back" series at Capital & Main, discussed the workplace safety and unionization efforts at the Blue Oval SK battery plant in Kentucky, and the union-busting tactics employed by Ford and its joint venture partner SK On.

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Ohio’s political races, national election trends and their implications for labor. On today’s episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, John Paul Smith, Executive Assistant to AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond, discussed his union journey, his perspective on recent political shifts and a historic milestone for the United Steelworkers.

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we were joined by Jackie Tate, President, and Imogen Fox, Bargaining Team Member, Steward, with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 88, representing Multnomah County employees in Portland, Ore They discussed the union’s current contract negotiations, key workplace challenges such as staffing, wages and trauma support, as well as the growing role and concerns surrounding artificial intelligence in the public sector. On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Merrilee Logue, Executive Director of the National Labor Office at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and David Yoder, Senior Vice President of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP) discussed FEP’s commitment to the federal workforce, the details of the current open enrollment period and what the premium adjustments mean for members in the coming year.

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Nathan Torian, President of Paducah Professional Firefighters Local 168, and Michael Hall, a firefighter and EMT, gave listeners a look into the strength, unity and heart of their union in Paducah, Ky.  In this episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Dave Megenhardt, Executive Director of the United Labor Agency (ULA), joined the podcast to discuss recent difficulties brought on by federal budget cuts, the impact of the government shutdown and highlights from the annual Unsung Heroes Dinner.

In this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast Nick Weiner, Organizing Director for the Communications Workers of America (CWA), and Amer Dababneh, Senior Premier Banker at Wells Fargo in Pennsylvania, discussed their organizing efforts across multiple Wells Fargo branches. As Ohioans head to the polls this Election Day, Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, reflects on the importance of local elections, union member participation in government, the challenges of redistricting and ongoing efforts to safeguard public pensions on this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast.

On this episode of the America's Work Force Union Podcast, attorney Jon Wentz of Wentz, McInerney, Peifer & Petroff, LLC, discussed the ongoing conflict between Teamsters Local 284 and the Sutphen Corporation, a leading fire truck manufacturer based in Columbus, Ohio.  Executive Director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees (NAPE/AFSCME Local 61), Justin Hubly, has helped revitalize union membership in Nebraska, which he discussed in his conversation on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast.

Scott Nelson, history professor at the University of Georgia and author of “Steel Driving Man: John Henry, the Untold Story of an American Legend,” revealed the true story behind the folk hero John Henry. He traced Henry’s journey from being a young convict in Virginia to his death as a steel-driving man building railroad tunnels in the aftermath of the Civil War. Nelson explained how the song “John Henry” became a powerful work chant, highlighted its roots in African burial traditions and shared the recent discovery of mass graves that proved the legend was grounded in tragic reality, with hundreds dying from workplace hazards such as acute silicosis. Andy Nieweglowski, Director of Training, and Brian Nieweglowski, Manager in Training, at LIUNA Local 607 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, discussed their innovative efforts to recruit and retain women in the construction industry thanks to nearly $1 million in aid from the Ontario government’s Skills Development Fund. They detailed the union’s practical steps to remove barriers, such as providing childcare, transportation and tools for participants. They also shared the strong response to their women-only residential construction training program amidst high employment and growing demand for skilled workers.

Sarah Anderson, Global Economic Policy Director at the Institute for Policy Studies, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss IPS's latest report on CEO compensation at America's largest low-wage employers. Elliot Encarnacion, Governor of the American Guild of Musical Artists, and Martha Kinsella, Regional Director and Counsel for the guild, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a newly ratified three-year collective bargaining agreement with Musica Sacra. 

David Cooper, Director of the Economic Analysis and Research Network at the Economic Policy Institute, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle worker protections across federal agencies, the elimination of minimum wage standards for domestic workers and federal contractors and the need for states to establish their own enforcement mechanisms. Matt Biggs, President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing government shutdown's impact on federal workers, the union's legal challenges to executive orders stripping collective bargaining rights and the bipartisan legislative efforts to protect workers' rights.

Tom Buffenbarger, former General President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing Boeing strike, nuclear security concerns amid the government shutdown and China's dominance in shipbuilding and manufacturing.   Barbara Robertson, member of Interpreters United (WFSE/AFSCME Local 1671), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the union’s efforts to secure fair compensation for their members in Washington State.