America’s Work Force Union Podcast

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 June edition of The American Legion Magazine, which includes stories about the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, manufacturing's return to America and issues with VA claims processing.

Rich Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, joined the America's Workforce Union Podcast to dissect the implications of what he calls the "big brutal bill"—more formally known as the U.S. House Spending Bill—currently under discussion. These include significant cuts to Medicaid, potential threats to Social Security and Medicare and the chaotic legislative process surrounding these issues.

Doreen Greenwald, NTEU | Pat Gallagher, North Coast Area Labor Federation

Doreen Greenwald, President of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the threats facing federal workers’ collective bargaining agreements, the impact of budget cuts on IRS operations and the importance of protecting federal employee data.

Pat Gallagher, President of the North Coast Area Labor Federation, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss some of the recent challenges facing the steel industry, such as the Cleveland Cliffs’ facility closures, the significance of the rail mill in Stilton, Pa. and the upcoming Ohio AFL-CIO Legislative Conference.

Sonya Bohmann, CIAFSP | Greg Regan, TTD AFL-CIO

Sonya Bohmann, Executive Director of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the organization's mission, available resources and the importance of destigmatizing mental health conversations in the workplace.

Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss rail safety regulations, challenges in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Infrastructure Week.

Frank Mathews, CWA District 4 | David Spero, PASS

Frank Mathews, District 4 Administrative Director for the Communications Workers of America (CWA), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss threats to broadband equity, the push for fiber over satellite internet and proposed Medicaid cuts.

David Spero, President of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss recent system failures at Newark Liberty International Airport, the need for updated infrastructure and the challenges caused by insufficient funding.

Sarah Anderson, IPS | Matt Biggs, IFPTE

Sarah Anderson, Director of the Global Economy Project at the Institute for Policy Studies, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the disparities between executive and worker compensation, the intricacies of the U.S. tax system and possible reforms to create a more equitable economic landscape.

Matt Biggs, President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the potential impact of proposed federal workforce cuts, the implications of ongoing tax cut debates and the challenges surrounding immigration judges under current policies.

Paul Mueller Jr., ABOC | Jessica Martinez, National COSH

Paul Mueller Jr., Vice President of Commercial Lending at ABOC, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the intricacies of construction lending for unions, the importance of early lender involvement, the unique aspects of union construction lending and the steps in financing union construction projects.

Jessica Martinez, Executive Director of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the statistics of workplace injuries and fatalities, the annual release of the 2025 Dirty Dozen report highlighting negligent employers and the greater challenges faced by immigrant workers in hazardous industries.

Pete Smith, Confyde | Andrew Strom, OnLabor Blog

Continuing our coverage of Mental Health Awareness Month, Pete Smith, founder of Confyde, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the platform’s development, its application in sports and business and the importance of confidential mental health support.

Andrew Strom, a labor lawyer and OnLabor contributor, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the disparity between CEO and average worker pay, the ineffectiveness of disclosure laws and CEO benefits that further expand wage disparity.

Al Baraza, IUPAT | Dave Megenhardt, ULA

Al Barraza, Director of Organizing for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 14, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a campaign for worker safety at Sure Built Concrete Forms and Accessories. 

Dave Megenhardt, Executive Director of the United Labor Agency (ULA), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the agency's efforts in supporting displaced federal workers in Northeast Ohio and promoting mental health awareness. 

Cal Beyer, SAFE Project | Tim Burga, Ohio AFL-CIO

Continuing our coverage of Mental Health Awareness Month, Cal Beyer, Senior Director of Safe Workplaces for the Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic (SAFE) Project, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the intersection of substance abuse, mental health and suicide prevention in the construction industry.

Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, appeared on the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss pressing legislative issues affecting Ohio's workers and an upcoming legislative conference to address these challenges.

Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas | Ed. Bartlett Jr., Bartlett Maritime Corporation

Continuing our Mental Health Awareness Month coverage, Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, clinical psychologist and mental health advocate, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the importance of changing workplace culture, applying safety principles to mental health and a preview of 2026’s annual mental health summit.

Capt. Ed Bartlett Jr., Founder/CEO of Bartlett Maritime Corporation and U.S. Navy veteran, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the need to rebuild America’s industrial capacity, the importance of skilled labor and Bartlett Maritime Corporation's workforce partnership with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers to meet national security demands.