America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Doreen Greenwald & April Goggans NTEU | Steve Sallman USW

Doreen Greenwald, National President of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) and April Goggans, President of NTEU Chapter 250, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the challenges facing federal workers. They addressed proposed budget cuts, workforce reductions and the impact on critical services provided by agencies like the IRS and Health and Human Services.

 

Steve Sallman, Director of Health, Safety and Environment for the United Steelworkers, discussed the critical role of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB), proposed budget cuts to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the importance of workplace safety investigations.

Maya C. Miller, CalMatters | Terrance Hall, SEIU Local 1

Maya C. Miller, politics reporter for CalMatters, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss California's ongoing remote work debate for state workers, California budget challenges and the complexities of affordable housing legislation.

Terrance Hall, a janitor and member of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss recent contract negotiations, the low wages in the janitorial industry and some of the challenges in bargaining a fair contract.

Pete Ielmini, Mechanical Insulators LMCT | Jerry Womick, LIUNA Local 773

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, member assistance programs and the retirement of trailblazer Gina Walsh

Jerry Womick, Business Manager for LIUNA Local 773 and a Midwest Region Special International Representative, discussed the union's growth strategies, infrastructure projects in Illinois and community outreach efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mark Wallace, BLET | Tom Buffenbarger

Mark Wallace, National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the potential problems with Mexican crews operating trains in the U.S., the push for automated rail operations and the ongoing fight to maintain safety regulations.

Tom Buffenbarger, retired International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, joined the America's Workforce Union Podcast to discuss interconnected industries, the potential impact of the current administration's policies and the need for a unified labor movement when facing future challenges.

Concerned UH Physicians | AFSCME Council 31

Dr. Valerie Fouts-Fowler, Dr. Lauren Beene and Dr. Jennifer Snyder from Concerned UH Physicians joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their efforts to unionize physicians at University Hospitals in Cleveland, the challenges faced during the organizing process, the retaliation they experienced and the importance of unions in healthcare.

Anders Lindall, Tracy Dulceak and Nell McKeown from American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss recent union organizing successes in Chicago's cultural institutions and higher education.

Jeff Stoffer, American Legion | Rich Fiesta, Alliance for Retired Americans

Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications for the American Legion, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the organization's centennial baseball tournament, the USA 250 Challenge and the Legion's impact on communities nationwide.

Rich Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, discussed the potential impact of budget cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and other programs, as well as their upcoming anniversaries.

Mark Dimondstein, APWU | Pat Gallagher, North Coast Area Labor Federation

Mark Dimondstein, President of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent ratification of a new contract for postal workers, the appointment of a new Postmaster General with ties to FedEx and the ongoing threats of privatization facing the U.S. Postal Service.

Pat Gallagher, President of the North Coast Area Labor Federation, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the pending sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel and the upcoming political landscape for labor.

David Cann, AFGE|Brad Asay, AFT Utah

David Cann, Director of Organizing for the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the union's response to federal workforce challenges, organizing strategies and the importance of collective action in protecting workers' rights.

 

Brad Asay, President of the American Federation of Teachers in Utah and Vice President of the Utah AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the Protect Utah Workers coalition's successful petition drive, the upcoming ballot measure and efforts to safeguard public sector collective bargaining rights.

Melissa Cropper Ohio Federation of Teachers|Tom Spiggle founder Spiggle Law Firm

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the state budget's impact on education, changes to the State Teachers Retirement System and new legislation affecting higher education in Ohio.

 

Tom Spiggle, founder of the Spiggle Law Firm and employment attorney, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the pay disparity highlighted by WNBA star Caitlin Clark's salary. Spiggle explored the structural barriers women face in the workforce, the impact of collective bargaining agreements on pay equity and ongoing efforts to address wage discrimination.

Andrew Strom, Labor Lawyer | Bob Funk, LaborLab

Andrew Strom, labor lawyer, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions involving a disabled firefighter, an Apple Store in New York and a Starbucks location in Los Angeles.

Bob Funk, founder of LaborLab, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the rise in union-busting activities, the importance of transparency in labor relations and LaborLab's efforts to educate organizers about employer disclosure requirements.