America’s Work Force Union Podcast

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 ...

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, Preside...

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 ...

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...

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 contr...

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 Forc...

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 Nat...

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, ...

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 Ass...

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,...

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 perspec...

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 g...

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 difficultie...

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...

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, whic...

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 ch...

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 t...

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 ...

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 ...