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America’s Work Force Union Podcast provides a clear and unfiltered voice for the working people of America. Radio veteran Ed “Flash” Ferenc leads the discussion with a focus on topics that include the impact of labor unions in America, workers’ rights, legislative actions and labor-management relations. Featured guests include various labor leaders, politicians, journalists and more. America’s Work Force Union Podcast provides updates and information from sources around the United States and continues to be the trusted voice for workers across the country.
Episodes

2 hours ago
Amie Baca-Oehlert | Troy Swanson, CCCTU
2 hours ago
2 hours ago
Amie Baca-Oehlert, former president of the Colorado Education Association (CEA) and candidate for Congress in Colorado's 8th District, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her transition from education to politics, the challenges facing workers and her vision for change.
Troy Swanson, legislative chair of the Cook County College Teachers Union, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his report "Facing the AI Future: A Call to Action for Union Leaders." Swanson explored the potential impact of AI on jobs, the need for union preparedness and strategies to protect workers during this technological transition.

4 days ago
4 days ago
Liz Perlman, Executive Director of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3299, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the challenges facing University of California (UC) workers. She discussed income inequality between executives and frontline staff, the impact of recent layoffs and the union's efforts to protect immigrant workers amid increased U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.
Merrilee Logue (National Labor Office), Keisha Adams (Blue Cross Blue Shield Association) and Jennifer Bateman (Boys & Girls Clubs of America) joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to provide an update on the partnership between BCBSA companies and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. They highlighted the first discussion of the collaboration on AWF back in May 2024, then discussed the implementation of trauma-informed practices, the impact of trauma-informed specialists and the Apprenticeship Readiness Workshop initiative.

4 days ago
4 days ago
Donna Seering, Director of Workforce Development and Innovation at Melwood Community Services, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Building PATHS program, which trains people with disabilities for careers in construction and skilled trades.
Zoe Karns, a journeyman with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 146 and president of Illinois Pride at Work, shared her experience as a transgender electrician. She discussed her transition journey, workplace acceptance and the challenges facing trans individuals in the trades.

6 days ago
6 days ago
Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act, firestop awareness and the industry's potential job growth.
David Spero, National President of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the proposed $22 billion in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding, the need for more technicians and the challenges of upgrading the national airspace system.

7 days ago
7 days ago
Lindsay Leeder, Senior Vice President of Labor Union and Trust at Lantern Care, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the rising healthcare costs facing unions, Lantern's approach to specialty care and strategies for containing expenses while ensuring quality care for members.
Tom Buffenbarger, former General President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, its potential impact on the workforce and the decline of the U.S. shipbuilding industry.

Monday Jun 23, 2025
Teresa and Miranda Kruse, Color Health | Matt Biggs, IFPTE
Monday Jun 23, 2025
Monday Jun 23, 2025
As part of Cancer Survivor Awareness Month, America’s Work Force Union Podcast featured Miranda Kruse, a cancer survivor, and her mother, Teresa Kruse, a caregiver and fellow survivor, who shared their experiences with cancer diagnosis and treatment. They discussed the importance of early detection, the challenges of recovery and their involvement with Color Health's Cancer Connect program, which provides mental health support for cancer patients and survivors.
Matt Biggs, President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss provisions in the U.S. Senate's "Big Beautiful Bill," and its impact on federal unions, healthcare access and jobs across various sectors.

Friday Jun 20, 2025
Jeff Stoffer, American Legion | Lisa Cutler, Alliance for Retired Americans
Friday Jun 20, 2025
Friday Jun 20, 2025
Jeff Stoffer, Director of the American Legion’s Media and Communications Division, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Legion's century-long involvement in youth baseball, the consequences of a broken immigration system and the importance of America's global leadership.
Lisa Cutler, Communications Director for the Alliance for Retired Americans, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the future of Social Security, potential Medicaid cuts in Congress and the ripple effects of healthcare policy changes on private insurance premiums.

Thursday Jun 19, 2025
Tony Cardwell, BMWED-IBT | Pat Gallagher, North Coast Area Labor Federation
Thursday Jun 19, 2025
Thursday Jun 19, 2025
Tony Cardwell, President of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWED) – a division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters – joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the potential dangers of proposed autonomous track inspections, the importance of human inspectors and the anticipated consequences of reducing mandated inspections.
Pat Gallagher, President of the North Coast Area Labor Federation, discussed the recent approval of Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel, highlighting concerns about job security, union representation and national security implications.

Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Arnold Scott, AFGE | Andrew Spar, FEA
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Arnold Scott, National Vice President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing attacks on federal workers, particularly at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the administration's attempts to strip union rights and AFGE's efforts to fight back through legal action and advocacy.
Andrew Spar, President of the Florida Education Association, discussed the union's success in recertification elections, legislative victories against anti-union measures and ongoing challenges in public education.

Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Melissa Cropper, OFT | Fred Kowal, UUP
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Ohio’s underfunding of public schools, challenges to labor rights in higher education and the importance of union leadership development.
President of United University Professions Fred Kowal joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the challenges facing higher education under the Trump administration, the importance of labor unity and strategies for engaging the public on critical issues.