America’s Work Force Union Podcast

David Goldberg, CTA | Andrew Spar, FEA

David Goldberg, President of the California Teachers Association (CTA), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the concerns teachers in California's education system face and the union's efforts to address them.

Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar joined the America's Workforce Union Podcast to discuss the challenges teachers and students face with the state’s current education system and how labor can make a difference.

Les Leopold, The Labor Institute | Hannah Halbert, Policy Matters Ohio

Les Leopold, co-founder of The Labor Institute and author of Wall Street's War on Workers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the economic and political factors driving the working class away from the Democratic Party.

Hannah Halbert, Executive Director of Policy Matters Ohio, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent federal funding freeze and its potential impact on Ohio's economy and vulnerable populations.

Carlos Andrade, ABOC | Raymond Jackson, ATU Local 689

Carlos Andrade, Vice President of Government and Union Services at ABOC, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the importance of financial literacy for union apprentices. 

Raymond Jackson, President and Business Agent of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his experience with the Local Union and the impact of privatization on the transit industry.

Robert Camarillo, Oregon State BTC | Tom Buffenbarger

Robert Camarillo, Executive Secretary of the Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a recent executive order from Gov. Tina Kotek mandating Project Labor Agreements on certain state-funded construction projects.

Tom Buffenbarger, former International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to share his insights on the evolving landscape of labor rights and the challenges posed by the new Trump administration.

Anthony Abrantes and Cyndie Williams, Labor Lounge | Greg Regan, TTD

Anthony Abrantes, Assistant Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EASRCC), and Cyndie Williams, Executive Director of the Carpenter Contractor Trust (CCT), joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Labor Lounge podcast and its role in connecting members and union allies.

Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and shared his thoughts on the current national political landscape, the importance of infrastructure investment and the ongoing efforts to enhance safety and job creation in the industry.

Dennis Dougherty, Colorado AFL-CIO | Donnie Blatt, USW District 1

Dennis Dougherty, Executive Director of the Colorado AFL-CIO, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Worker Protection Act, a bill to change Colorado's unique and sometimes problematic labor law structure.

Donnie Blatt, Director of District 1 of the United Steelworkers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the implications of Michigan House Bill 4002, which aims to roll back critical worker protections.

Max Magill, CWA Local 7781 | Lizzy Tapia, Unite Here Local 2

Max Magill, President of the United Mountain Workers (Communications Workers of America Local 7781) joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent victory for ski patrollers at Park City Mountain Resort in Utah. The strike, which lasted 12 days during the peak ski season, resulted in significant gains for workers and highlighted the power of union solidarity.

Lizzy Tapia, President of UNITE HERE Local 2, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the 93-day hotel worker strike in San Francisco that secured significant gains for workers.

Pete Ielmini, Mechanical Insulators LMCT | Dan Gallagher, Pipefitters Local 120

Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the current state of mechanical insulation recruitment and the industry's efforts to address mental health concerns.

Dan Gallagher, business agent for the United Association’s Pipefitters Local 120 in Cleveland, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to share his career journey and insights into the pipefitting industry, as well as discuss some of the career opportunities available through his Local Union.

Melissa Cropper, OFT | Melissa Wells, NABTU

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing battle for fair school funding in Ohio and recent federal policy changes impacting educators.

Melissa Wells, Special Assistant to the President of the North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to provide perspective on how enhancing diversity in union construction careers can serve as a pathway to the middle class.

Lee Saunders, AFSCME | Sylvester Taylor, IBEW Local 1

On a day dedicated to honoring civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the America's Work Force Union Podcast dove into the intertwined history of labor rights and civil rights. We welcomed Lee Saunders, President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), to discuss the union's pivotal role in the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers' Strike and the ongoing fight for workers' rights.

Continuing our special Martin Luther King Jr. episode, America’s Work Force Union Podcast welcomed Sylvester Taylor, Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC) and 34-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1 in St. Louis. Taylor shared his experience and journey in the trades and how the union has led him to be a leader in the IBEW’s efforts to improve diversity and inclusion.