America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Tony DiPerna, IMTEF | Iman Moore and Jason Ehlert

In honor of National Apprenticeship Week, the America’s Work Force Union Podcast welcomed Tony DiPerna, National Director of Apprenticeship and Training at the International Masonry Training and Education Foundation (IMTEF). DiPerna discussed the evolving landscape of apprenticeship training and the significant strides made in the diversification and modernization of the masonry trades.

As part of our continued coverage of National Apprenticeship Week, the America’s Work Force Union Podcast explored a partnership to connect Native American communities with the building trades. Joining the discussion were Jason Ehlert, President of the North Dakota State Building and Construction Trades Council, and Iman Moore, Native American Career and Technical Education Project (NACTEP) Project Director, who shared insights into their collaborative efforts to foster apprenticeship opportunities for Native American populations.

John Stahl, IIIATF | Tom Kriger, NABTU

On the second day of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast’s coverage of National Apprenticeship Week, we were joined by John Stahl, the Insulation Industry International Apprentice and Training Fund Administrator (IIIATF). He discussed a partnership with the American School Counselor Association to develop a pipeline between public schools and the trades and the Insulators Union’s Master Apprentice Competition (MAC).

Tom Kriger, Director of Research and Education at North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the educational curriculum administered by Apprenticeship Readiness Programs to prepare individuals for a Registered Apprenticeship Program and a future career in the trades.

Julie Su, U.S. Department of Labor | Eric Hill, SkillsUSA Illinois, and Ricardo Aguilar, ACE

The America’s Work Force Union Podcast kicked off our coverage of National Apprenticeship Week by featuring the Acting U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Julie Su, who joined the show to discuss the importance of creating pathways to union jobs through Registered Apprenticeship Programs. Su also explained the difference between being the Labor Secretary Acting Secretary and what she could accomplish in her current role.

Continuing our National Apprenticeship Week coverage, Eric Hill, Executive Director for SkillsUSA Illinois, and Ricardo Aguilar, a student and intern through the Alignment Collaborative for Education (ACE) training program, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the opportunities for high school students to begin workforce training and find a career in the trades after graduation.

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 the December edition of the American Legion Magazine.

Rich Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the potential impact the Presidential Election could have on retirees.

Kelli Price, SEIU 1199NE | Kelly Yeaney and Jeff Hasty, AFSCME DPSU Local 101

Kelli Price, Registered Nurse (RN) at Women & Infants Hospital and member of Service Employees Internation Union (SEIU) 1199 New England, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Unfair Labor Practices (ULP) union staff has already faced from management. She also discussed how these led to an informational picket earlier this week that included more than 1,000 staff at the Rhode Island hospital.

Kelly Yeaney, President, and Jeff Hasty, Vice President nominee, from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Dayton Public Service Union (AFSCME DPSU) Local 101, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Local and the unique challenges during contract negotiations with Montgomery County in Ohio.

Jacob Morrison, TVLR | Dr. David Zonderman, NC State University

Jacob Morrison, Co-host of The Valley Labor Report, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his conversations with building trades unions and government workers about the potential impacts the presidential election results could have on future work projects in Alabama. Morrison also discussed the lessons that unions could learn by examining Alabama’s labor history.

Dr. David Zonderman, Professor of History at North Carolina State University (NC State), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the path forward for the labor movement after many working people felt the political parties were not listening to their concerns.

Alissa Reynolds, IW Local 63 | Martin Helms, Helmets to Hardhats

Alissa Reynolds, a journey-level Ironworker with Iron Workers Local 63, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast this Veterans Day to discuss her experience as an enlisted soldier with the U.S. Navy and what led her to join the trades. She also talked about the assistance provided by Helmets to Hardhats during the transition and how young veterans can find a home and career in the trades.

Martin Helms, Executive Director of Helmets to Hardhats, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast this Veterans Day to discuss his military service and eventual transition to the trades. Helms also discussed Helmets to Hardhats and how the organization helps connect outgoing, active military members with civilian careers in the building trades.

Andrew Strom, Labor Lawyer | Merrilee Logue, NLO BCBS, and David Yoder, FEP Blue

Andrew Strom, a labor lawyer and contributor to the OnLabor Blog, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the potential impacts the presidential election results could have on the National Labor Relation Board (NLRB). He also discussed holes in the National Labor Relation Act that have been exploited by corporations.

Merrilee Logue, Executive Director of the National Labor Office at Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, and David Yoder, Senior Vice President of the Federal Employee Program (FEP) at Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the open enrollment period for federal employees and how the FEP helps members simplify navigating their healthcare options.

Dian Palmer, SEIU Local 73 | Eric Brandon, Anthem

Dian Palmer, President of the Service Employees International Union Local 73, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how her union member husband helped guide her to a career with SEIU. Palmer also talked about the contract issues with the city of Chicago and the difficult negotiations workers at the University of Illinois went through to earn their new contract.

Eric Brandon, Strategic Account Executive Labor and Trust for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his union upbringing and how it helped guide him to the Labor and Trust division of Anthem. He also discussed how Anthem can help Taft Hartley Funds save union members money in healthcare costs.

Dave Megenhardt, United Labor Agency | Greg Regan, TTD

Dave Megenhardt, Executive Director of the United Labor Agency, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the 2024 Year-end Report from the ULA and the annual Unsung Heroes of the Labor Movement Dinner.

Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss funding announcements at the state and federal level to help modernize and improve port operations across the country.