America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Building the "Silicon Valley of the Midwest" | AFL-CIO's Fred Redmond on Democracy

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we explore two sides of the labor movement: the massive physical build-out of American manufacturing and the political fight to protect democratic norms.

Segment 1: The "Silicon Valley of the Midwest" Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joins the show to deliver a status report on the region’s construction boom.

Hager details the progress at Intel’s $28 billion chip plant, where nearly 1,000 trades members are currently working, with hundreds more expected by summer. He also outlines how data center expansion (including a new Google campus) is driving a secondary boom in power generation and grid infrastructure.

• Key Stat: IBEW Local 683 received the most apprenticeship applications in its history this year.

• Looking Ahead: Hager announces that Tradeswomen Build Nations is coming to Columbus in 2028.

Segment 2: Labor’s New Resistance Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, returns to the podcast to discuss the high stakes facing working families in 2026.

Redmond argues that the labor movement must lead a renewed coalition to defend democracy against attacks on voting rights, immigrants, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Drawing parallels to the civil rights battles of the 1960s, Redmond explains why unions are partnering with faith leaders and civil rights organizations to fight back against a "class war" economy that benefits billionaires at the expense of workers.

Podcast Resources:

• Listen & Subscribe: https://awf.labortools.com/ 

• Learn more about the Columbus Building Trades: https://columbusconstruction.org/ 

• Learn more about the AFL-CIO: https://aflcio.org/

DreamWorks Remote workers & TED Workers Unionize | Iowa Rep. Dan Gosa on Labor in Politics

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we cover two major stories of workers building power—from the animation studios of Hollywood to the statehouse in Iowa.

Segment 1: The Organizing Wave in Animation DreamWorks Animation remote feature production workers and the production team behind the TED animated TV series have voted to unionize, joining The Animation Guild (IATSE Local 839) and the Editors Guild (IATSE Local 700).

Organizer Allison Smartt, TED: The Animated Series Color Coordinator Kelly Simmons, and Organizer Ben Speight join the show to discuss this major victory. They explain how the pandemic exposed a "zip code barrier" where remote workers were denied union protections simply for moving out of LA County. The group also discusses:

• The push to end the "two-tier" system that separates production staff from artists.
• Why establishing guardrails for Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a critical part of their fight.
• How industry consolidation is driving more workers to organize for job security.

Segment 2: Why Union Members Must Run for Office Dan Gosa, a third-generation member of Insulators Local 81 and current Iowa State Representative, joins the show to discuss his re-election campaign. Gosa serves as President of the Quad City Federation of Labor and brings a "kitchen-table" perspective to the legislature.

Gosa details the challenges facing Iowa’s working families, including the drastic cut to unemployment benefits (from 26 weeks down to 16) and the need for "Responsible Bidder" laws to track bad-actor contractors who misclassify workers. He argues that when union members sit at the decision-making table, they can stop policies that strip funding from essential local services and ensure working-class issues aren't treated as political games.

Podcast Resources:

• Listen & Subscribe: https://awf.labortools.com/ 
• Learn more about The Animation Guild: https://animationguild.org/
• Learn more about Insulators Local 81: https://local81insulators.com/

Young Workers March on D.C. & The “Good Jobs” Shortage | AFGE & Ironworkers Local 5

Two major labor stories from the nation’s capital dominate today’s episode.

First, Dr. Kendrick Roberson, National Vice President of AFGE, joins the show to preview the historic Young Worker March on Washington scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7. Roberson details why workers under 40 are mobilizing near the U.S. Capitol to demand a living wage and relief from the affordability crisis in housing and education. He also discusses the "representation gap"—why 77% of young workers support unions but only 7% are members—and plans to honor AFGE member Alex Pretti during the event.

Then, Ryan Marshall, organizer for Ironworkers Local 5, steps in to debunk the "skilled labor shortage" myth. He argues the construction industry isn't facing a worker shortage, but a shortage of good jobs. Marshall highlights the massive data center boom in Northern Virginia, the $48 million cost of worker misclassification in D.C., and why Local 5 is treating mental health and suicide prevention as critical jobsite safety issues.

Featured Guests:

• Dr. Kendrick Roberson, National VP, AFGE

• Ryan Marshall, Organizer, Ironworkers Local 5

Hosted by: Ed "Flash" Ferenc

 

East Palestine, Ohio After Three Years with Tony Cardwell & Ohio’s Labor Landscape with Tim Burga

Three years after the East Palestine derailment, rail safety reform remains stalled while derailments continue at a rate of roughly 1,000 per year. On today's episode, Tony Cardwell, President of the BMWED-IBT, joins the podcast to warn that the behaviors leading to the 2023 disaster are still embedded in the industry. He discusses why the AAR's lobbying has successfully watered down safety bills, the fight against "AI" waivers that would cut track inspections by 75%, and the dangers of a potential Norfolk Southern-Union Pacific consolidation.

Then, Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga joins the show to break down the real-world impact of the partial government shutdown on federal workers and public services. Burga also discusses the economic stakes of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the 12,000-15,000 Haitian residents in Springfield, Ohio, and outlines labor's strategy for the 2026 election cycle ahead of Ohio’s Feb. 4 filing deadline.

Featured Guests:

• Tony Cardwell, President, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED-IBT)

• Tim Burga, President, Ohio AFL-CIO

Episode Highlights:

• Rail Safety Stalled: Cardwell explains why 1,000 derailments a year are still "routine" in the U.S.

• Inspection Battles: BMWED's fight against waivers that would replace human inspectors with automation.

• Shutdown Fallout: Burga details how political instability in D.C. hits working families in Ohio.

• Springfield Workforce: The critical role of Haitian workers in local economic recovery.

• 2026 Election Watch: Inside the Ohio AFL-CIO's endorsement process and the "working-family scorecard."

Working for Free vs. The $8 Trillion Boom: The Shutdown Crisis & Billionaire Wealth

While federal workers are asked to keep the country running without a paycheck, the ultra-wealthy are seeing record-breaking gains. This episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast explores the stark divide between those keeping the lights on and those owning the assets.

First up: The partial government shutdown is back, and Matt Biggs, President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), joins us to expose the human cost of political dysfunction. Representing over 80,000 professionals—from rocket scientists at NASA to immigration judges—Biggs details the strain on "essential" employees who are reporting for duty while their pay is suspended.

• The "Essential" Trap: How the shutdown is disrupting critical work at the Department of Defense and stalling justice in immigration courts.

• Recruitment Crisis: Why chronic budget instability is driving skilled experts out of public service.

• Mobilizing for 2026: A look at IFPTE’s upcoming Legislative Advocacy Conference in D.C., where members will fight for stable funding and due process.

Then: As working families feel the squeeze of inflation and stalled wages, the billionaire class has hit a new stratosphere. Omar Ocampo, researcher at the Institute for Policy Studies, breaks down new data showing U.S. billionaire wealth has surged to $8.1 trillion.

• The Asset Gap: How stock market speculation is enriching the "centibillionaires" while the labor share of income shrinks.

• Wealth vs. Work: Why productivity gains aren't showing up in your paycheck.

• Taxing the Top: The state-level tax experiments that could finally fund public goods and reduce extreme inequality.

Listen now for a hard look at an economy where essential workers wait for back pay while billionaire wealth climbs by the trillions.

Manufacturing Crisis & Library Safety: The Fight for Worker Power in Ohio

From Legacy Auto to Public Libraries: A Midwest Labor Reality Check

In this packed episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we look at two very different sectors facing the same core issues: safety, job security, and the demand for a voice on the job.

Part 1: UAW Region 2B – Offshoring & The "Shell Game" UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green joins host Ed “Flash” Ferenc to discuss the accelerating manufacturing crisis in Ohio and Indiana.

• The Offshoring Threat: Why Conn-Selmer workers in Eastlake are facing a sudden closure threat while ownership allegedly moves work to China.

• The EV Shift: Why 1,300 layoffs at Ultium Cells in Lordstown are a warning sign for federal incentive rollbacks.

• Corporate Extraction: How hedge fund and private equity models are leaving small-town America "holding the bag."

Part 2: CML United – Library Workers Demand Safety & Fairness Organizers Rahaf Fares and Sabrina Juntunen break down the historic union drive at the Columbus Metropolitan Library.

• Safety First: The reality of 1.5-hour police response times and the call for consistent safety protocols across all branches.

• "Open to All" (Including Staff): Why library workers are seeking neutrality and a contract that addresses the unique needs of part-time staff and the impact of AI.

• The Momentum: How the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) is helping library workers win enforceable standards.

A City in Crisis: Minneapolis Labor Mobilized, and the Fight for Video Game Workers’ Rights

This episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast explores two critical fronts in the modern labor movement: the massive mobilization for civil rights in Minneapolis and the rapidly evolving union landscape of the video game industry.

As of January 29, 2026, Minnesota is at the center of a national crisis following the tragic death of Alex Pretti, a VA nurse and AFGE member, while video game workers across the globe prepare for a historic international strike at Ubisoft.

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Part 1: Minneapolis Labor Federation Mobilizes Against ICE

Guest: Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou, President of the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation (AFL-CIO)

 

Following the Day of Truth and Freedom on Jan. 23, Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou joins the show to discuss a community in motion. Despite subzero temperatures, an estimated 90,000 people rallied in Minneapolis to demand an end to ICE's "occupation" of local neighborhoods.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Scale of Resistance: Why nearly 100,000 people marched in -23°F weather and how the Target Center became a hub for solidarity within 48 hours.

• The Death of Alex Pretti: A look at the tragic killing of the AFGE Local 3669 member and why labor leaders argue that current enforcement tactics are making workplaces and communities less safe.

• Building a Defense: The surge in Constitutional Observer and nonviolent action trainings, which have tripled in participation as union members choose preparation over retreat.

• Economic Blackout: How 1,000 small businesses stood with labor while major corporations remained silent.

"The resilience of our community is so strong right now. You cannot go into a neighborhood that is not self-organizing." — Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou

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Part 2: United Videogame Workers-CWA & The Future of Gaming

Guests: Vlada Monakhova (Montreal) & Anna Webster (Los Angeles), United Videogame Workers-CWA (Local 9433)

The "dream job" of game development is facing a reality check. With United Videogame Workers (UVW-CWA) nearing 600 members since its March 2025 launch, organizers are proving that even "creatives" need the power of a union contract.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Ubisoft Strike: Details on the February 10-12 international walkout called by five unions in response to studio closures and the 5-day return-to-office mandate.

   

• The "Art Factory" Myth: Shifting the industry mindset from "passion-driven" to "worker-led" to combat exploitation and $200M cost-cutting plans.

• Contract Wins & AI Protections: How workers at Blizzard, Bethesda, and Sega are securing rights over generative AI and winning residual payments for game releases.

• GDC Festival of Gaming 2026: UVW’s plans for a major presence at the San Francisco event (March 9-13) to organize the next generation of developers.

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Take Action & Resources:

• Listen to the full episode to hear the firsthand accounts of these labor leaders.

• Support Minneapolis Labor: Contact the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation for nonviolent action training.

• Join the Gaming Movement: Are you a developer or freelancer? Connect with United Videogame Workers-CWA to protect your career.

Keywords: Union Rights 2026, Minneapolis ICE Protests, Alex Pretti AFGE, United Videogame Workers, Ubisoft Strike 2026, CWA Local 9433, Labor Podcast, Collective Bargaining AI.

Passing the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act & Harnessing Food as Medicine

In this power-packed episode, we dive into two major fronts where labor is winning: Capitol Hill and member wellness. First, Pete Ielmini of the LMCT breaks down the historic 54-0 committee vote for the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act and why firestopping is the "life-safety" market union insulators need to own. Then, the experts from Blue Cross Blue Shield’s National Labor Office join us to explain why "Food is Medicine" isn't just a trend—it’s a survival strategy for shift workers and union families.

Segment 1: Legislative Momentum & Life Safety

Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT), joins the show to discuss a massive legislative breakthrough.

• The 54-0 Win: How the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act cleared the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously and what the "suspension" process means for its future.

• Taxpayer Impact: Why auditing 350,000 federal buildings for insulation is a "no-brainer" for energy savings.

• Firestopping is Life Safety: Why union insulators are the experts in containing smoke and flame—and why building owners can’t afford to wait for a tragedy to prioritize it.

• Mental Health Matters: An update on the Insulators’ Member Assistance Program and the push to make mental health support as routine as a safety meeting.

Segment 2: Nutrition as a Union Strategy

We sit down with Merrilee Logue, Aishat Magbade, and Sarah Duggan Goldstein from the BCBS National Labor Office to talk about the "Food is Medicine" movement.

• Breaking Barriers: Why shift work, overtime, and "food deserts" make healthy eating a structural challenge for union members, not just a personal choice.

• Hidden Benefits: Are you leaving "Medically Tailored Meals" or "Produce Prescriptions" on the table? We discuss how to find these benefits in your existing health plan.

• Small Changes, Big Gains: Practical tips for locals to improve workplace nutrition and combat the chronic diseases that drive up healthcare costs.

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Key Quotes

"The Federal Mechanical Insulation Act is a no-brainer... it’s not just a bill, it’s a journey toward public savings." — Pete Ielmini

"Food is medicine is the concept that food is a factor for improving health outcomes by preventing, combating, or even managing disease." — Merrilee Logue

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What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. The status of the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act in the House and Senate.

2. How the Firestop Market Recovery Program is helping contractors win more work.

3. The difference between medically tailored groceries and standard nutrition.

4. How to advocate for better nutrition benefits within your Local.

Resources & Links:

• Mechanical Insulators LMCT Website

• Blue Cross Blue Shield National Labor Office

• Next Step: Check your health plan for "Medically Tailored Meals" or "Produce Prescriptions" today!

Don’t forget to subscribe to the America’s Work Force Union Podcast for more updates from the front lines of the labor movement!

From the Picket Line to D.C.: The Fight for Staffing and the Young Workers March

On this edition of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we tackle two critical fronts of the labor movement in 2026: the life-and-death stakes of public healthcare staffing in California and a high-level analysis of national economic and political instability.

Segment 1: Solano County’s Mental Health "Emergency"

Solano County’s behavioral health workforce isn't warning of a future risk—they are describing a present-tense catastrophe. Sarah Soroken, a licensed marriage and family therapist and SEIU Local 1021 member, joins the podcast to discuss why 2,000 county workers recently walked out on a two-day strike.

• The Vacancy Gap: With 200 open positions in Health and Social Services, remaining staff are facing "moral injury" and burnout while patients face dangerous waitlists.
• The Human Cost: Why union-driven staffing demands are a public health issue in a county that ranks 15th out of 58 in California suicide rates.
• Budgetary Myths: A look at union "deep dives" into county finances that challenge claims of a financial crisis.

Segment 2: Union Rights at a Breaking Point

Retired International President of the Machinists Union (IAMAW), Tom Buffenbarger, provides a sobering diagnosis of a country he says has slipped into a 1960s-style crisis—only worse.

• The Investigation Gap: Buffenbarger explains why he trusts state leadership, such as Minnesota AG Keith Ellison, over federal investigators following recent tragedies in Minneapolis.
• The Tariff Price Tag: How trade brinkmanship with Canada is hitting the grocery store (milk, eggs, cereal) and industrial supply chains of working families in the U.S.
• Organizing the Future: Why the Young Workers March on Washington (Feb. 7) represents a "bright spot" for a generation looking for stability through union rights.

Resources & Next Steps

• Join the Movement: Visit goiam.org for details on the Young Workers March.

Follow the Fight: See more SEIU 1021 and IAMAW stories on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast.

The Safety Gap: Federal Rail Reform & The Firefighter Staffing Crisis

"In 2026, safety isn't a talking point—it's a function of staffing, oversight, and enforceable rules." 🚨🛤️

Whether it’s the rails running through our towns or the fire engines protecting our neighborhoods, the message from labor is urgent: the gap between public rhetoric and actual safety is widening. This episode breaks down the two most critical battles in Labor Legislation 2026.

Part 1: Rail Safety & Union Rights (TTD President Greg Regan)

Nearly three years after the East Palestine, Ohio disaster, why has durable federal reform stalled? Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, joins us to discuss the "eyes and ears" on the ground.

• The RSAC Return: Why the Rail Safety Advisory Committee is vital for real-time risk reporting.
• The 2026 Deadline: The September 30th Surface Transportation Reauthorization is the "hard deadline" Congress cannot ignore.
• Lobbying vs. Lives: A blunt look at why the Rail Safety Act and the Under Pressure Act remain stuck in neutral.

Part 2: The Firefighter Breaking Point (IAFF Locals 735 & 507)

We move to the frontlines in Pennsylvania, where chronic firefighter understaffing is turning routine calls into preventable risks. Ed "Flash" Ferenc sits down with Lou Jimenez (IAFF 735) and Jordan Klein (IAFF 507).

• The 1710 Deficit: Why PA’s average of 2.29 firefighters per engine is a danger to both crews and the public.
• The Volunteer Collapse: The "factory horn" era is over. Why municipalities must transition to career staffing now.
• Grant Gaps: Why SAFER and AFG grants are failing the departments that need them most.

Why This Matters for 2026:

From the ROTOR Act in aviation to NFPA 1710 in the fire service, this episode highlights the shift from “policy” to “permanence.” If it isn't written into law, it can be rolled back.

Resources & Deep Dives:

• Read TTD’s Greg Regan’s Rail Safety Blog: https://awf.labortools.com/listen/rail-safety-reform-greg-regan-2026
• Read the IAFF Local 735 and 507 Blog: https://awf.labortools.com/listen/pa-firefighter-staffing-crisis-iaff-2026