America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Stacey Hofert, Progyny | Donnie Blatt, USW

Stacey Hofert, Group Vice President of Labor and Trust for Progyny, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss National Infertility Awareness Week, the prevalence of infertility and how Progyny, fertility, family building and women’s health benefits fund, addresses the issue.

Donnie Blatt, District 1 Director for the United Steelworkers (USW), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the USW Constitutional Convention, the impact of tariffs on the steel industry and the union's community outreach efforts.

Cathy Kennedy, National Nurses United | Merrilee Logue, BCBS NLO

Cathy Kennedy, a President of National Nurses United, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the potential impact of staffing cuts at Veterans Affairs hospitals, the urgent need for better legislation to prevent workplace violence and the push for Medicare for All.

Merrilee Logue, Executive Director of the National Labor Office at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss statistics related to cancer diagnoses, the importance of preventive care and screenings and a union’s role in supporting members through their cancer journeys.

Pete Ielmini, LMCT | Tyler Lefeber, Color Health, Maria Scheeler, Teamsters Philadelphia & Vicinity

Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the importance of firestopping, the progress of the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act and the role of unions in advancing firestopping and insulation initiatives.

Maria Scheeler, Fund Adminstrator for the Teamsters Health & Welfare and Pension Funds of Philadelphia and Vicinity, and Tyler Lefeber, Director of Labor & Trust Sales at Color Health, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss innovative approaches to cancer prevention and care for union members including early detection, comprehensive support and the evolving landscape of personalized healthcare.

Nick Yelverton, Springfield & Central Illinois Trades & Labor Council | Brad Asay, Utah AFL-CIO

Nick Yelverton, President of the Springfield and Central Illinois Trades and Labor Council and Legislative Director for the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his journey in union leadership, the significance of Workers Memorial Day and the current political climate affecting labor rights. 

Brad Asay, Vice President of the Utah AFL-CIO and President of the American Federation of Teachers in Utah, returned to the America's Work Force Union Podcast to update listeners on their fight against attacks on public sector collective bargaining rights, challenges faced by labor and the next steps in the fight.

Lynn Rhinehart, EPI and Lauren McFerren, The Century Foundation | Pat Gallagher, NCLF

Lynn Rhinehart, Senior Fellow at the Economic Policy Institute, and Lauren McFerren, Senior Fellow at The Century Foundation and former National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) chairman, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss threats to labor law and worker protections through the dismantling of federal agencies, attempts to invalidate NLRB decisions and what this means for workers' rights and union representation.

Pat Gallagher, President of the North Coast Area Labor Federation, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Utah's recent collective bargaining battle, his meeting with U.S. Congressmen Ro Khanna, and the Ohio AFL-CIO’s upcoming legislative conference.

Jeff Stoffer, American Legion | Rich Fiesta, Alliance for Retired Americans

Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications for The American Legion, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss quality of life issues in the military, the politicization of the armed forces and upcoming 250th anniversary events for several of the U.S. military branches.

Rich Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a federal court decision temporarily halting the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) access to sensitive Social Security data and the staffing and service issues at the Social Security Administration. He also outlined the Alliance's nationwide efforts to protect retirees' benefits.

Tim Holahan, Broadstripes

Tim Holahan, CEO and project manager of Broadstripes, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how digital tools are modernizing labor organizing, their cloud-based system's impact on union campaigns and the importance of adapting to technological advancements in organizing efforts.

Jessica LaPointe, AFGE Council 220 | John Jarger, MACRC

Jessica LaPointe, President of AFGE Council 220, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the critical challenges facing the Social Security Administration (SSA), like staffing, policy changes impacting beneficiaries and ongoing threats to union contracts.

John Jarger, Director of Operations for the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council (MACRC), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the financial impact of worker misclassification, the proactive measures being taken by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America and the importance of legislative action to combat these challenges.

Alyssa Goodstein, IL AFL-CIO | Melissa Cropper, OFT

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers and Secretary-Treasurer of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the dismantling of the fair school funding formula, cuts to library funding and a push to eliminate elected positions on the State Board of Education.

Alyssa Goodstein, Communications Director for the Illinois AFL-CIO, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her background in labor history, the impact of storytelling in union organizing and an upcoming digital media workshop aimed at empowering labor communicators.

Nancy Altman, Social Security Works | Greg LeRoy, Good Jobs First

Nancy Altman, President of the political advocacy group, Social Security Works, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Social Security Administration data breach, the potential appointment of a new Social Security commissioner and the need for public engagement. 

Greg LeRoy, Executive Director of Good Jobs First, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the impact of corporate subsidies, the financial burden of data centers and the role its Violation Tracker can play in holding companies accountable.