America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Andrea Ringer, TSU (131) | Rob Dorans ACT Ohio

Today’s edition of Labor 131, presented by the National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, features Andrea Ringer, Associate Professor of History at Tennessee State University, who shared her insights on the labor history of circus workers from the late 19th to mid-20th century. 

 

Rob Dorans, President Pro Tem of the Columbus City Council and Chief Legal Counsel for ACT Ohio, discussed his efforts to expand prevailing wage laws, combat wage theft and forgive medical debt for low-income residents.

Carie Rael, LAWCHA | Tim Smith, UAW

On this edition of Labor 131, presented by the National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Carie Rael, Assistant Professor in History at California State University, Long Beach, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the 1984 Disneyland strike, recent labor victories and the evolving landscape of union representation at the theme park.

 

Tim Smith, Director of Region 8 for the United Auto Workers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss ongoing organizing efforts at Volkswagen in Chattanooga, Tenn., recent investments by General Motors and the UAW's push to utilize existing manufacturing capacity in the U.S. auto industry.

Rudi Batzell, UAW | Ken Margolies, Union Search

This edition of Labor 131, presented by the National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, features Rudi Batzell, Associate Professor of History at Lake Forest College and former UAW Staff Organizer, who joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his book “Organizing Workers in the Shadow of Slavery.” 

Ken Margolies, partner at Margolies, Potterton and Associates, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Union Search, a service helping labor organizations fill key staff positions. Margolies explored the growing need for executive search services in unions, the challenges of managing internal politics during hiring processes and strategies for objective candidate evaluation.

 

Tim Burga, Ohio AFL-CIO | D. Caleb Smith, Mount Holyoke College

On this edition of Labor 131, presented by the National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, D. Caleb Smith, Assistant Professor of History at Mount Holyoke College, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the origins and evolution of affirmative action. Smith explored the term's roots in the 1935 National Labor Relations Act, its development through the Civil Rights era and its current challenges under the Trump administration.

Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his concerns about Ohio’s allocation of public funds to private schools, property tax reforms and potential impacts on public services.

Justin Jackson, UMass Amherst | Jennifer Bacon and Alan Bond, IATSE Local 15

In honor of the 131st year of Labor Day, the America’s Work Force Union Podcast has partnered with the National Labor Office of Blue Cross Blue Shield to bring you Labor 131. Visiting lecturer at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Justin Jackson, joined the podcast to discuss the intertwining of labor history and warfare in the U.S. 

 

Jennifer Bacon, President of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 15, and Alan Bond, Local 15 Assistant Business Agent, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent ICE detention of union member Fernando Rocha.

Dorsey Hager, C/COBCTC | Fred Redmond, AFL-CIO

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the region's construction boom, infrastructure investments and workforce development efforts. 

 

Fred Redmond, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the Labor Congress for Latin American Advancement Convention, the AFL-CIO's nationwide bus tour and labor's efforts to combat harmful policies in Washington, D.C. 

Rushab Sanghvi, AFGE | Merrilee Logue, NLO, and Duncan Lawson, BCBSA

Rushab Sanghvi, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) General Counsel, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the union's legal battles against the Trump administration's anti-union policies. 

 

Merrilee Logue, Executive Director of the National Labor Office at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and Duncan Lawson, Director of Market Intelligence for Government Programs at BCBSA, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

Jason Walsh, BlueGreen Alliance | Dave Jamieson, HuffPost

Jason Walsh, Executive Director of the BlueGreen Alliance, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the devastating impact of recent legislation on clean energy jobs. 

 

Dave Jamieson, labor reporter for the HuffPost, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the Trump administration's efforts to relocate thousands of U.S. Department of Agriculture workers out of Washington, D.C.

Brandon Mancilla, UAW | Jean Thielen, Trevor Project

Brandon Mancilla, Director of Region 9A of the United Auto Workers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the UAW's recent organizing efforts, involvement in the New York City mayoral race and the ongoing legal services strike.

 

Jean Thielen, crisis counselor for the Trevor Project, spoke about the recent defunding of the 988 LGBTQ+ crisis hotline, its impact on vulnerable youth and the organization’s ongoing efforts to provide support. 

Sarah Elmaleh, SAG-AFTRA | Greg Regan, AFL-CIO (TTD)

Sarah Elmaleh, Chair of the Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee for SAG-AFTRA, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the union’s recent contract negotiations with major video game studios. 

 

Greg Regan, recently re-elected as President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, discussed the organization’s 35th anniversary convention, key policy priorities and the challenges facing transportation infrastructure funding.