America’s Work Force Union Podcast

C/COBCTC’s Hager Talks Data Centers, Intel and Ohio’s Sales Tax Repeal

Central Ohio is on pace to work 20 million building trades hours in 2026 — nearly double its 2023 record. So when Governor Mike DeWine suspended Ohio's data center sales tax exemption without warning or consultation, Columbus Building Trades Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dorsey Hager had plenty to say about it.

On this episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast, Hager breaks down the economic case for the exemption, the real numbers behind what data center construction is generating in local tax revenue and jobs and why the governor's decision risks sending the wrong message to developers who have other options. He also delivers an encouraging Intel update, describes record apprenticeship applications across central Ohio's building trades Locals and recaps a fundraiser for Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin.

Visit columbusconstruction.org for more on the Columbus Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council.

Ohio AFL-CIO's Tim Burga on Labor Roundtables, November Stakes and the Voter ID Fight

Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga just wrapped a seven-city labor roundtable tour across Ohio — and the message from workers was the same at every stop. Affordability is the number one issue, trust in government is near rock bottom and working people are ready for something dramatically different come November.

On this episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast, Burga breaks down what he heard from union leaders in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Akron, Marietta, Columbus and Toledo, why Democratic primary turnout reached its highest midterm level since 2006 and what the Ohio AFL-CIO is doing to educate members and mobilize votes between now and Election Day. He also raises a sharp warning about Republican plans to place voter ID in the Ohio constitution — despite it already being state law — and previews what is on the agenda at the AFL-CIO national convention in Minneapolis.

Visit ohioaflcio.org for more information on the Ohio AFL-CIO's election work.

From Fast Food to Union Carpenter: Taylor Dobson's Journey Into the Trades

Taylor Dobson was a fast food shift lead being pushed toward assistant manager when she decided enough was enough. Today she is a first-year carpenter apprentice with Carpenter's Local 174 in Chicago, working on solar farm projects and building a career she always wanted but never knew how to access.

On this episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast, Taylor walks us through her path from Dunkin Donuts to the union hall, the Hire360 pre-apprenticeship program that opened the door, and what her first months have looked like on a large-scale solar installation with Power Circle Construction. She also speaks directly to women who are curious about the trades but unsure whether there is a place for them.

If you have ever thought about making the jump into a skilled trades career, this one is for you. Visit hire360chicago.com to learn more about the program that made Taylor's transition possible.

CFM Local 10-208 on the Live Nation Monopoly’s Impact on Independent Music

When Live Nation and Ticketmaster make the news, the conversation usually starts and ends with ticket prices. But the real crisis goes much deeper.

In this episode, we sit down with Karen Suarez-Flint, Secretary-Treasurer of the Chicago Federation of Musicians Local 10-208, to expose the systemic extraction of wealth from the working musicians who hold the entire industry up.

What We Discuss in This Episode:

• The Live Nation Antitrust Verdict: What the April 2026 ruling actually means, why the federal settlement was "pathetic," and how 34 state attorneys general are fighting back.
• The 100-Mile Lockout: How Live Nation's aggressive "radius clauses" are quietly crushing independent venues in cities like Chicago.
• Streaming Economics 101: Why Spotify's $19B revenue translates to a $0.003 per-stream rate for artists—and how algorithms are gamed to suppress music unless artists accept even less.
• The American Music Fairness Act: Why the U.S. shares a bizarre radio royalty policy with Iran, China, and North Korea, and how this bipartisan bill could change everything.

Take Action: Love live music? Don't let your local music ecosystem run out of time. Listen to the episode, share it, and contact your representatives to demand support for the American Music Fairness Act.

• Learn more about the Chicago Federation of Musicians: cfm10208.com
• Subscribe to America's Work Force Union Podcast for more insights on building worker power across America!

"It's Okay Not to Be Okay" – How the USW is Reimagining Mental Health & Workplace Safety

Every victory at the bargaining table starts with workers standing together—but solidarity means looking out for each other's minds as well as their livelihoods.

In this episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, host Ed "Flash" Ferenc sits down with John Lepley, Director of Education and Membership Development at the United Steelworkers (USW). Marking both Mental Health Awareness Month and the USW's 84th anniversary, John highlights a vital shift in the labor movement: treating mental health as a core collective bargaining issue.

What We Discuss in This Episode:

• The Power of Peer Support: Inside the USW’s voluntary mental health curriculum, developed alongside CUNY psychology professor Waleed Sami, which teaches members to spot warning signs and connect colleagues with professional care.
• Healthcare Workers in Crisis: How chronic understaffing, isolation, and workplace violence are compounding the mental health crisis for nurses and healthcare professionals—and how the union is fighting back.
• Bargaining for Well-being: Why scheduling, staffing ratios, and the boundary between work and home life are fundamental mental health policies that belong in every union contract.
• Leadership from the Top: The critical role General President Roxanne Brown played in championing this program from its early pilot stages to a nationwide union initiative.

Important Resources:

• If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential, and available 24/7 by calling or texting 988.
• Learn more about the United Steelworkers and their initiatives at usw.org.
• Subscribe to the America's Work Force Union Podcast for daily insights from the leaders building worker power across America!

Data Centers, Nuclear Power & the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act of 2026

As America’s energy infrastructure undergoes a massive evolution, one critical trade is quietly keeping it all efficient: mechanical insulation.

On today's episode of the America's Work Force Union Podcast, host Ed "Flash" Ferenc welcomes back Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT), for his monthly update. Pete reveals the latest behind-the-scenes push on Capitol Hill and details why the future of American energy security relies on skilled union labor.

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Bipartisan Momentum on Capitol Hill: An inside look at Senate Bill 4312 (S.4312), the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act of 2026. Sponsored by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Steve Daines, this bill aims to mandate insulation upgrades across 350,000 federal buildings to save taxpayer dollars.
• The Power of Thermal Imaging: How the LMCT is utilizing live thermal camera demonstrations at trade shows to make energy waste instantly visible to architects, engineers, and facility managers.
• The Data Center Cooling Demand: Why modern data centers—which require constant cooling between 55 to 60 degrees—are creating a massive pipeline of work for mechanical insulators.
• The Nuclear Energy Revival: Pete makes a direct case for nuclear power as the cleanest, most efficient solution to America's energy deficit, highlighting Microsoft's reactivation of Three Mile Island and the rise of small modular reactors.

Learn More: To find out more about the legislation and the economic impact of mechanical insulation, visit mechanicalinsulatorslmct.com.

China's EV Threat, Apple Store Closures & The Faster Labor Contracts Act

Is American manufacturing fighting a losing battle against corporate greed and foreign markets?

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we welcome back our independent labor voice, Tom Buffenbarger (Retired International President of the IAM Union). With over 50 years of labor experience, Buffenbarger delivers a masterclass on the current geopolitical and legislative battles directly affecting American workers.

What’s inside today’s episode:

• The China EV Domino Effect: How decades of short-term corporate decisions—starting with early aerospace offshoring—handed China 70% of the global EV market, creating a massive economic and national security vulnerability.
• The Apple Store Retaliation: The inside story of the IAM’s hard-fought victory at a Baltimore Apple store, the subsequent union-busting tactics, and the alarming trend of closing unionized storefronts.
• A Turning Point for Labor Law: Why the Faster Labor Contracts Act is gaining sudden momentum. With a House discharge petition clearing the crucial 218-signature threshold, find out how this bipartisan bill could force binding arbitration and end endless employer delay tactics.
• OSHA Under Fire: A stark warning about proposed 20% to 25% budget cuts to the Department of Labor for FY2027, and what it means for worker safety on the job.

Connect With Us

Every victory at the bargaining table starts with workers standing together. Don't miss an episode of the stories building worker power across America.

• Website: https://awf.labortools.com/

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Closing the GI Bill Gap: Equalizing Housing Benefits for Veteran Apprentices

While veteran students pursuing a four-year degree receive 100% of their monthly housing allowance for the duration of their program, veterans entering union apprenticeships face a steep penalty: their housing support is slashed by 20% every six months.

In this episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we sit down with Joseph Sharpe Jr. (Director of the National Veterans Employment and Education Commission at the American Legion) and Policy Associate Steve Betsch to break down the Reducing Arbitrary Barriers to Apprenticeship Act of 2026 (S.3993). This bipartisan Senate legislation, introduced by Senators Tim Sheehy and Elissa Slotkin, aims to eliminate this arbitrary step-down and bring true parity to veteran benefits.

What We Discuss in This Episode:

• The GI Bill’s Modern Flaw: Why the historical assumption that rising apprentice wages offset housing cuts no longer matches today's cost-of-living realities.
• Personal Stakes: Steve Betsch shares his journey from a Navy submarine to graduating debt-free, illustrating how critical these benefits are to financial survival during transitions.
• National Security & The Workforce: How bridging this benefit gap can help recruit veterans to fill the nation's 600,000 vacant skilled trades jobs and rebuild critical infrastructure like American shipbuilding.
• A Call to Action for Labor Leaders: How union locals can throw their weight behind S.3993 to get this legislation across the finish line.

Take Action: Union leaders and members are encouraged to contact the offices of Senator Tim Sheehy or Senator Elissa Slotkin to submit a formal letter of support for S.3993.

Learn more about the American Legion's advocacy work at legion.org.

Beyond "Thank You": Mike Hazard on UA VIP & Veteran Mental Health

What does it actually mean to support our military veterans when they transition to civilian life? It goes far beyond a simple "thank you for your service." It means providing a direct path to a good life, a strong career, and an industry culture that protects their mental well-being.

On this special Memorial Day episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast, host Ed "Flash" Ferenc sits down with Mike Hazard, a Navy veteran and the Executive Director of the United Association’s Veterans in Piping (VIP) program.

 

Hazard shares the incredible 18-year track record of the UA VIP program—a DoD SkillBridge initiative that has placed more than 3,700 graduates into guaranteed, high-paying career tracks within the pipe trades. But the conversation doesn't stop at career placement. Hazard dives deep into an urgent, deeply personal mission: tackling the mental health crisis in the construction industry.

 

Key Discussion Points:

• The 10% Bottleneck: Why timeline constraints mean only a fraction of the 200,000 annually transitioning service members can access elite programs like VIP, and how partnerships with Helmets to Hardhats provide a vital safety net.
• The Staggering Statistics: Why construction workers are six times more likely to die by suicide than by a job site accident—and how the UA is fighting back by embedding dedicated suicide prevention workshops directly into standard OSHA 30 training.
• The Power of Peer Support: The specific, lifesaving training that teaches workers to bypass vague language and ask the direct question: "Are you thinking about suicide?"
• A Sovereign Memorial Day Message: A veteran’s reflection on how to honor families who have lost loved ones in uniform—and why listening to their stories with both ears is our ultimate obligation.

 

Critical Resources & Links:

• Learn more about the UA VIP Program: uavip.org
• Explore Veteran Trade Paths: unionvets.org
• Get Support Now: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7.

 

Want more stories from the frontline of the labor movement? Subscribe to the America's Work Force Union Podcast to get the latest interviews with the leaders and organizers building worker power across America.

Labor’s New Strategy: Running for Office and Resisting the Federal Workforce Gutting

The labor movement is done waiting for a seat at the table—workers are fighting for survival at the federal level and running for legislative seats locally.

In this episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we examine the dual realities of modern union power: the defensive structural protections of our public infrastructure and the offensive strategy of electoral politics.

Part 1: The Federal Worker Purge & The Privatization Playbook

Jacqueline Simon, Policy Director of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), joins the show to deliver a sobering report on the state of the federal workforce. Since January 2025, a sweeping execution of executive orders has fundamentally altered public services.

• The 300,000 Job Elimination: Why abolishing permanent positions permanently reduces federal capacity and sets agencies up to fail.
• The National Security Loophole: How a million workers had their collective bargaining rights stripped in what the administration's own paperwork admits was a retaliatory strike against the union.
• Designed to Fail: The systematic gutting of Social Security field offices, 30,000 lost positions at VA healthcare, and the looming threat of TSA privatization.

Part 2: From Endorsements to the Ballot Box

Shifting to the offensive, Davida Russell, Secretary-Treasurer of the North Coast Area Labor Federation and Ohio CLUW State President, discusses her historic Democratic primary victory for the Ohio House, capturing nearly 75 percent of the vote.

• The Pivot to Power: Why working people are tired of empty campaign promises and are increasingly running their own members for office.
• Unstoppable Women Conference: A preview of the biennial gathering on June 5-6 in Independence, Ohio, featuring panels with Stacey Abrams, Amy Acton, Nina Turner, and trailblazing labor leaders.
• Real-World Realities: Addressing the financial and emotional exhaustion of the working class and channeling 60-year-high union favorability into direct legislative action.

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about AFGE’s legal challenges: afge.org
• AFL-CIO Website: aflcio.org 

Subscribe to the America's Work Force Union Podcast for daily insight into worker power: awf.labortools.com