America’s Work Force Union Podcast

In today's episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we explore two critical fronts of the labor movement: proactive workforce development in the trades and the legal defense of bargaining unit integrity.

Daren Gulliver, Training Director for BAC Local 2, discusses a successful partnership with New York’s Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). Gulliver outline...

In this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we dive deep into the two pillars of a thriving labor movement: professional excellence in the business of construction and inclusive recruitment that reaches remote communities.

Segment 1: The Business of the Trades with Pete Ielmini Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT), discusses why union apprenticeship i...

In this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we examine the intersection of trade policy, healthcare funding and the rising tide of union organizing across the United States.

Retired International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) International President Tom Buffenbarger joins host Ed “Flash” Ferenc to break down the real-world impact of sweeping tariffs. B...

The labor movement is shifting from a defensive crouch to a bold offensive strategy.

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we welcome two major voices in the labor movement to discuss the data behind the union resurgence and the legislative fight for worker safety.

Segment 1: The Resurgence of American Unions Dave Kamper, Senior Strategist for the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), joins the show to discuss hi...

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we examine the shifting landscapes of our physical cities and our digital security. We are joined by two leaders at the forefront of veteran and retiree advocacy to discuss the "reset" of the American downtown and the escalating fight to protect Social Security data.

Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communicat...

In this action-packed episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we tackle the legislative and local battles shaping the lives of industrial workers in the Midwest and beyond.

Segment 1: Policy and Pathways with U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) joins the show to discuss her "worker-centered" agenda in Washington. As the lead sponsor of the LEAP Act, Budzinski explains how bipartisan tax incentives...

How can the labor movement overcome outdated laws and geographical silos to build true worker power? Today on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we tackle the legislative and organizational strategies shaping the future of unions in the Midwest and the West.

Segment 1: Breaking the "Double Hurdle" in Colorado Dennis Dougherty, Executive Director of the Colorado AFL-CIO, joins us to discuss the high-stakes fight for the Worker ...

In this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we dive into two major battles for the future of public education and worker rights.

First, Jason Rabinowitz, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 2010, discusses the weeklong strike of 1,100 skilled trades workers across the California State University (CSU) system. He breaks down why the union is striking over "broken promises" regarding negotiated step increases and ho...

Is the U.S. Postal Service being set up to fail?

In this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we sit down with Jonathan Smith, the new President of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU). Smith, a second-generation postal worker who rose through the ranks from a New Jersey bulk mail center, pulls back the curtain on the "pseudo-privatization" strategies threatening one of America’s most trusted public institutions.

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The rules of the game are changing—both at the border and in the regional field office.

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we are joined by two leading experts to discuss the policy shifts threatening union leverage in 2026.

Part 1: The USMCA 2026 Review with Adam Hersh Senior Economist Adam Hersh joins us to break down the high-stakes "NAFTA 2.0" review coming this July. While USMCA was sold as a fix for...

Today, we bring you stories from the frontlines of labor advocacy, featuring leaders from the fire service and nursing who are fighting for safety, respect, and fair treatment.

Segment 1: Protecting Ohio’s Bravest (OAPFF) We are joined by Jon Harvey, President of the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters (OAPFF), and Steve Stein, the OAPFF Director of Governmental Affairs. They discuss the current legislative landscape in ...

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we bridge the gap between labor’s historic battles and its future leaders.

Segment 1: The Strike That Changed Canadian Labor Law Myles Sullivan, International Secretary-Treasurer of the United Steelworkers (USW), joins the show to revisit a defining chapter in labor history: the 1941-42 Kirkland Lake gold miners’ strike. Sullivan explains how a "lost" strike in the frozen t...

Introduction On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we look at two major battles for public resources and professional dignity. First, we examine a ballot measure in Ohio that could strip billions from local communities. Then, we look at a wave of union victories in newsrooms that are fighting to keep local journalism alive.

Segment 1: The High Cost of Repealing Ohio Property Taxes Frank Mathews, Administrati...

Two major labor stories define today’s episode: a historic organizing win at some of the nation’s most famous music venues and the national fight to set rules for Artificial Intelligence in the workplace.

First, Ryan Chavka, Business Agent for IATSE Local 22, joins the show to break down the massive union victory for concert production workers at The 9:30 Club, The Anthem, The Atlantis, and Lincoln Theatre. Chavka takes listeners i...

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we explore two sides of the labor movement: the massive physical build-out of American manufacturing and the political fight to protect democratic norms.

Segment 1: The "Silicon Valley of the Midwest" Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joins the show to deliver a status report on the region’s co...

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we cover two major stories of workers building power—from the animation studios of Hollywood to the statehouse in Iowa.

Segment 1: The Organizing Wave in Animation DreamWorks Animation remote feature production workers and the production team behind the TED animated TV series have voted to unionize, joining The Animation Guild (IATSE Local 839) and the Editors Guild (IATSE ...

Two major labor stories from the nation’s capital dominate today’s episode.

First, Dr. Kendrick Roberson, National Vice President of AFGE, joins the show to preview the historic Young Worker March on Washington scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7. Roberson details why workers under 40 are mobilizing near the U.S. Capitol to demand a living wage and relief from the affordability crisis in housing and education. He also discusses the "rep...

Three years after the East Palestine derailment, rail safety reform remains stalled while derailments continue at a rate of roughly 1,000 per year. On today's episode, Tony Cardwell, President of the BMWED-IBT, joins the podcast to warn that the behaviors leading to the 2023 disaster are still embedded in the industry. He discusses why the AAR's lobbying has successfully watered down safety bills, the fight against "AI" waivers tha...

While federal workers are asked to keep the country running without a paycheck, the ultra-wealthy are seeing record-breaking gains. This episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast explores the stark divide between those keeping the lights on and those owning the assets.

First up: The partial government shutdown is back, and Matt Biggs, President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE),...