America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Hugh Giordano (UFCW Local 152) / Joyce Goldstein

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 152 Assistant Director of Organizing Hugh Giordano was the first featured guest on the AWF Union Podcast today. His interview is part of our “best of segment,” which first aired on Jan. 6. Giordano spoke about the importance of labor peace agreements for workers in the cannabis industry and social equity and economic justice standards in other new emerging markets. 

Labor Lawyer Joyce Goldstein was also featured on the AWF Union Podcast. She explained why many social justice organizations have embraced unionization efforts amongst their employees. 

Phil Mattera (Good Jobs First) / Josh Nassar (United Auto Workers)

Good Jobs First Research Director Phil Mattera was the first featured guest on the AWF Union Podcast today. He spoke about the importance of holding corporations accountable through their corporation violation tracker, which helps them track corporate misconduct.

Also featured on the podcast today was United Auto Workers Legislative Director Josh Nassar. He discussed his January testimony in front of the House Agriculture Committee about an electrical vehicle tax credit. 

Honorable Mimi Tsankov (National Association of Immigration Judges) / Lucas Franco (LiUNA MN & ND)

Mimi Tsankov, President of the National Association of Immigration Judges, made her debut on today’s edition of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast. She spoke about the constant pressure immigration judges face to complete cases and the overwhelming backlog of cases the current staff of judges have. 

LiUNA Minnesota and North Dakota Research Manager Lucas Franco was also featured on the podcast today. He addressed wage theft in the construction industry and what is being done to prevent it.

Frank Mathews (CWA, D4) / Tom Germuska, Jr. (The Labor Citizen)

Communications Workers of America, District 4 Administrative Director Frank Mathews was featured today on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast. He spoke about the Build Broadband Better plan which aims to end the digital divide and organizing the tech, game and digital industries.

The Labor Citizen Editor Tom Germuska, Jr. was the second guest on the podcast. He discussed stories from the February edition of the Labor Citizen including Intel planning to build a plant in central Ohio and the recent Bureau of Labor Statistics Union Density report. 

Kate Shindle (Actors Equity) / Tim Coleman (UA Local 669)

Actors Equity President Kate Shindle was the first featured guest on today’s edition of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast. She spoke about being crowned Miss America 1998 and a recent national study regarding art organizations, living wages and diversity. 

UA Local 669 Recruitment Outreach Specialist Tim Coleman was the second guest on today’s edition. His segment is part of the AWF “best of” segment and first aired on Nov. 16, 2021. Coleman discussed National Apprenticeship Week, Local 669’s registered apprenticeship program and offered insights on high school influencers becoming more open to telling students about the benefits of registered apprenticeship programs. 

Dorsey Hager (Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council) / Fred Redmond (AFL-CIO)

Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dorsey Hager rejoined America’s Work Force Union Podcast today. He discussed the impact of the recent announcement that Intel will build new chip plants in central Ohio.

 

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond was also featured on today’s podcast. He looked back on President Biden’s first-year in office and efforts to pass additional legislation to further help American working families.

Scott Paul (Alliance for American Manufacturing) / David Madland (Center for American Progress)

Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul joined the AWF Union Podcast today to discuss trade relations between the U.S. and China, and the need to end the reliance on obtaining personal protective equipment from China.

Center for American Progress Senior Fellow and Strategic Director David Madland was also featured on the podcast today. He discussed how the Great Recession has benefited workers and made organized labor stronger than employers. 

Mike Hazard (United Association VIP Program) / Don Marcus (Masters Mates and Pilots)

Today’s edition of the AWF Union Podcast looks back at two of the more interesting interviews from 2021. This includes interviews from the Sept. 27, 2021 and Nov. 17, 2021 podcasts.

United Association Veterans in Piping Program Administrator and Training Specialist Mike Hazard joined the podcast on Nov. 17 and spoke about the United Association Veterans in Piping Program. He explained how it helps active-duty military service members transition back into civilian life by learning basic pipe trades skills. Hazard also discussed the UA VIP Member Assistance Program, which is a suicide prevention program designed to help program participants and graduates.

Masters Mates and Pilots President Don Marcus appeared on the show  on Sept. 27. He discussed how a lack of American shipping vessels is not only endangering U.S. national security, but is also leading to goods being held hostage. 

Tim Burga (Ohio AFL-CIO President) / Farah Stockman (Author, American Made: What Happens to People When Work Disappears)

Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the nation’s crumbling infrastructure, accomplishments of the Biden Administration during the President’s first year in office and Ohio’s redistricting maps.

 

Farah Stockman, a Pulitzer Prize winning writer and author of "American Made: What Happens to People When Work Disappears", joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her book and how the exportation of American jobs has impacted the working class.

MaryBe McMillan (North Carolina AFL-CIO) / Tim Carter (SMART Northwest Regional Council)

North Carolina AFL-CIO President MaryBe McMillan spoke to the AWF Union Podcast today about a major union victory by nurses at Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., and a failed attempt by politicians to weaken labor rights in the state.

 

SMART Northwest Regional Council President Tim Carter was also featured on today’s edition of the podcast. He discussed a union-made beer called Local 66 Lager, the region’s hot construction market and the need to recruit more apprentices.