America’s Work Force Union Podcast

From Survival to Stability: Liz Looper’s Journey into the Painters Union

“I was looking for a way to move beyond survival work and into something that could support a real future.”

Liz Looper spent years in the cycle of low-wage work, juggling the pressures of motherhood and constant financial uncertainty. She knew she needed a change, but like many, she didn’t realize the door to the skilled trades was wide open for her.

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Looper joins us to share her inspiring transition into a first-year apprenticeship with Painters District Council 30 (PDC 30) and the North Central Illinois Finishing Trades Institute (NCIFTI).

What we discuss in this episode:

• The Turning Point: How a simple social media post and support from Goodwill led Liz to a life-changing pre-apprenticeship program.

• Breaking Barriers: Liz’s experience entering a male-dominated field and finding a community of women already thriving in the trades.

• The Union Advantage: Why the "full package"—including livable wages, retirement security, and essential benefits like pregnancy leave—makes the IUPAT a game-changer for families.

• A Message to Others: Why it is never too late to start a career that provides a path to the middle class, regardless of your age or background.

Liz’s story is a powerful testament to the fact that with persistence, the right training, and union support, a stable and purposeful career is within reach.

The Real Truth About Ohio’s Hazmat Gaps with OAPFF President Jon Harvey

Three years after East Palestine, and just weeks after a major chlorine leak at a Washington Court House water plant required a multi-county response, a haunting question remains: Is Ohio actually prepared for the next big one?

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we sit down with Jon Harvey, President of the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters (OAPFF). While new state grants were recently announced, Harvey warns that a "check-the-box" approach to safety isn't enough. From the dangerous training gaps in rural counties to the need for a unified command structure that actually works in real-time, this is a raw look at the life-or-death stakes of hazardous materials response.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Rural/Urban Divide: Why today’s new legislative push for statewide ambulance coverage is only the first step in fixing a broken system.

• The "Pause" That Saves Lives: Why hazmat scenes require a different mindset than standard fire calls—and why "rushing in" can be a fatal mistake.

• Legislative Inertia: Why critical safety bills like the Michael Louis Palumbo Jr. Act take years to pass while risks grow every day.

• Recruitment Crisis: How the physical and emotional toll of the job is changing the face of the fire service in 2026.

Don’t miss this critical update on the safety of our communities and the men and women who protect them.

Ohio’s Data Center Boom & The National Fight for Economic Relief

The data center boom is reshaping the Midwest, while at the national level, workers are rising up to demand economic accountability.

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we tackle two defining fronts of the modern labor movement: the massive industrial build-out of digital infrastructure and the nationwide mobilization for affordability and representation.

Segment 1: Building the Digital Backbone of Ohio

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joins us to discuss the staggering scale of data center construction in the region.

• The Numbers: Why 20 million labor hours are just the beginning for the building trades.

• The Career Path: How IBEW Local 1105 and others are scaling apprenticeship programs to create six-figure careers without a college degree.

• The Community Impact: Addressing local concerns and why data centers are a long-term win for the middle class.

Segment 2: AFL-CIO Mobilizes for Economic Fairness

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, joins the program to discuss why workers are taking to the streets to demand relief from the rising cost of living.

• The Mobilization: Insights from the "No Kings Day" rallies and the disconnect between Washington policy and kitchen-table math.

• Voter Education: Why the AFL-CIO is treating the ballot box as a workplace safety and standards issue.

• A Historic Milestone: A look at Roxanne Brown’s rise to become the 10th International President of the United Steelworkers.

Whirlpool Layoffs: The Fight to Save Union Manufacturing in Amana, Iowa

Are the glory days of Midwest manufacturing being dismantled piece by piece?

Whirlpool’s latest job cuts in Amana, Iowa, are more than just business adjustments—they are a wake-up call for the American labor movement. In this episode, we sit down with IAM Union leaders and a 30-year plant veteran to discuss the steady erosion of one of Iowa’s most vital manufacturing hubs.

From a peak of 3,000 workers to well under 1,000 today, we explore how attrition, line removals and offshoring are hollowing out the community of Amana.

Inside this episode:

• The Reality of the Cuts: How 350+ recent layoffs are affecting local families and suppliers.
• The "Warehouse" Strategy: Why union leaders fear the plant is being transitioned away from production.
• Tax Incentives vs. Offshoring: A hard look at the $70 million in public support Whirlpool received while expanding production in Mexico.
• The Call for Accountability: What the IAM Union is doing to demand answers from elected officials.

Guests:

• Sam Cicinelli – IAM Union Midwest Territory General Vice President
• Todd “Kerry” Waddell – IAM Union District 6 Assisting Business Representative
• Sandy Freytag – IAM Union Member & 32-year Whirlpool Veteran

NTEU President Doreen Greenwald on the Crisis Facing Government Workers

The invisible machinery of the American government is under immense strain.

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, NTEU National President Doreen Greenwald joins us to pull back the curtain on the mounting crises facing federal employees. From the IRS to the border, federal agencies are battling a "perfect storm" of staffing freezes, buyout programs, and the recurring threat of government shutdowns.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The IRS Staffing Gap: Why the loss of 20,000 employees threatens tax fairness for every American.

• The Right to Organize: How NTEU is fighting back against legal attacks on collective bargaining and union contracts.

• Public Safety at Risk: The direct link between federal budget cuts and the integrity of our food safety, consumer protection, and border security.

• The Protect America’s Workforce Act: A look at the legislative push to safeguard worker rights in the federal sector.

Don’t miss this deep dive into why the fight for federal worker rights is actually a fight for the public services we all rely on.

Deep Sea Fishermen: Defending Union Jobs and Pacific Sustainability with James Johnson

In an industry where 90 percent of new workers quit within the first year, the Deep Sea Fishermen’s Union of the Pacific stands as a testament to the power of organized labor in the most extreme conditions.

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Executive Director James Johnson joins host Ed “Flash” Ferenc to pull back the curtain on the commercial fishing industry. Johnson explains why this Seattle-based organization is the oldest and only independent fishermen's union in the U.S. and how they’ve secured better pay and safer vessels for their members.

Topics Discussed:

• The Nordic Roots: How 19th-century Scandinavian fishermen built the foundation for Seattle’s fishing hub.

• Survival at Sea: The rigorous maritime training and safety standards that keep union members alive in a hazardous trade.

• Labor as Stewardship: Why protecting North Pacific fish stocks is a primary labor issue, not a secondary environmental one.

• The Market Threat: Why wild-caught seafood matters and the impact of climate change and Russian hatcheries on the local ecosystem.

AI Protections with SAG-AFTRA & "Food Is Medicine" Programs for Union Families

Is your digital identity safe? And is your health plan doing enough to keep you on the job? On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we’re tackling the two biggest frontiers in modern labor: Artificial Intelligence and Nutritional Health.

Segment 1: Protecting Your Likeness with SAG-AFTRA

First, we’re joined by Jeffrey Bennett, General Counsel for SAG-AFTRA. As AI "cloning" technology accelerates, the threat to performers and broadcasters is no longer science fiction—it’s a daily reality. Bennett breaks down:

• The NO FAKES Act: Why we need a federal "takedown" system for unauthorized digital replicas.

• Consent vs. Exploitation: The thin line between innovative tech and labor rights violations.

• 21st-Century Enforcement: Why 20th-century laws are failing to protect workers in the age of viral synthetic media.

Segment 2: Food Is Medicine—A New Frontier in Union Health

Later, we shift focus to the kitchen table. Merrilee Logue (National Labor Office) and Sarah Duggan Goldstein (BCBS Association) discuss why "Food Is Medicine" is the next big shift in union benefits. We dive into:

• Medically Tailored Support: The difference between "supportive groceries" and meals specifically designed for chronic disease management.

• Prescription Produce: How doctors are now "prescribing" healthy food to help union members stay healthy and avoid costly hospital stays.

• The Union Advantage: How local leaders can help members navigate these new, often underutilized benefits.

TSA Under Pressure & Labor on the Ballot: Inside the Fight for Federal Workers and Ohio Leadership

Labor leadership isn’t just about the good days—it’s about holding the line when the pressure is at its peak. On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we’re looking at two different fronts where workers are standing their ground.

Segment 1: The Human Cost of the TSA Shutdown

We’re joined by Johnny Jones, Secretary-Treasurer of AFGE TSA Council 100. Jones pulls back the curtain on the severe financial and emotional strain placed on TSA officers during shutdown-related pay disruptions. From missed mortgages to the deteriorating morale at our nation's checkpoints, we discuss why restoring back pay isn't enough and how the union is fighting to protect collective bargaining rights in a climate of political dysfunction.

Segment 2: Leading from the Front in Ohio

In honor of Women’s History Month, we welcome back Davida Russell, Secretary-Treasurer of the North Coast Area Labor Federation. Russell discusses the growing trend of union members running for public office and the unique challenges they face in today’s digital political landscape. She offers a "field guide" for activists, emphasizing why worker-centered candidates must stay grounded in service to cut through the noise of modern campaigning.

Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to stay updated on the latest victories and challenges within the labor movement.

The Physical Side of AI: Why Data Center Growth is a Win for Mechanical Insulators

Artificial Intelligence might be living in the digital ether, but it’s built on a foundation of concrete, steel and highly specialized mechanical insulation.

On today’s episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we’re joined by Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT). Ielmini breaks down why the AI-driven data center boom is about much more than just faster processors—it’s a massive long-term driver for union construction.

We dive deep into:

• The "Chilled" Reality: Why AI servers require precision insulation to prevent moisture damage and catastrophic system failures.

• The Power Surge: How the demand for data is forcing a massive expansion of our power infrastructure, creating a "linked" construction cycle for the trades.

• Beyond the Boom: Why the industry is focused on long-term retention and high-quality apprenticeships to ensure this isn't just a "surge," but a career.

• Recruitment vs. Reality: Why the mechanical insulation trade is the perfect path for those who want a high-skill, high-wage career that can’t be automated.

Don’t just browse the cloud—learn who’s building it.

Silica Safety Milestones & The Defense Capacity Questions

The America’s Work Force Union Podcast tackles two of the most pressing issues facing the modern industrial landscape: the long-term health of construction workers and the strategic strength of our national defense.

• Segment 1: 10 Years of Silica Progress Lily Calderon, Health and Safety Director for the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC), joins us to mark the 10th anniversary of the OSHA silica rule. We discuss how the BAC turned a hidden hazard into a regulated standard, the importance of engineering controls like HEPA vacuums, and why "Table 1" guidance needs an update to reflect modern jobsite technology.

• Segment 2: Defense Capacity & The Skilled Labor Gap Retired IAM Union International President Tom Buffenbarger breaks down why massive defense budgets won’t fix production shortages without a skilled workforce. We explore the erosion of the industrial base, the critical need for apprenticeships in precision machining, and how artificial intelligence is reshaping aerospace manufacturing and strategic planning.