America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Greta Callahan (Minneapolis Federation of Teachers Local 59) / John Costa (Amalgamated Transit Union)

Minneapolis Federation of Teachers Local 59 Teacher Chapter President Greta Callahan was the first featured guest on today’s show. She spoke about educators helping their students understand what may happen in the Derek Chauvin case, unfair labor practices with the state’s unwillingness to negotiate with teachers, rapid reopening of schools causing issues and more.

Amalgamated Transit Union International President John Costa was also featured on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast. He spoke about keeping transit workers safe, ending mass layoffs, the ATU’s response to the pandemic and vaccinating their members.

John Shinn (United Steelworkers) / John Russo (Working Class Perspectives)

United Steelworkers International Secretary-Treasurer John Shinn spoke with the AWF Union Podcast today about bringing manufacturing jobs back to America, ending America’s reliance on foreign supply chains for PPE and other medical equipment, and the power of organizing and the PRO Act.

Working Class Perspectives co-editor John Russo was also featured on the AWF Union Podcast today. He discussed his new article “Myth of the Conservative Working Class” and how big corporations are chipping away at working class values.

Jon Schleuss (NewsGuild) / Bill Samuel (AFL-CIO)

Today on the AWF Union Podcast, AFL-CIO Government Affairs Director Bill Samuel spoke about the Republican pushback on President Biden’s labor nominees, Republicans voting against the American Rescue Plan and infrastructure investment and project planning.

Our second featured guest on today's show was NewsGuild President Jon Schleuss. He spoke about newspapers being bought out by hedge funds, which is killing jobs. He also discussed newsrooms getting stronger by organizing with the NewsGuild

Pete Ielmini (Mechanical Insulators LMCT) / John Murphy (International Brotherhood of Teamsters)

Our first featured guest on today’s show was Mechanical Insulators LMCT Executive Director Pete Ielmini. He spoke about the winterization process for pipes and how Texas was not at all prepared, the difference between winterization and energy conservation and higher return on investment from good insulation.

Also featured on the AWF Union Podcast today was International Brotherhood of Teamsters Vice President At Large John Murphy. He spoke about pension relief language in the newest COVID-19 relief bill, why pension protection plans are so desperately needed and how the American Rescue Plan was passed.

Mike Knisley (Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council) / Tom Buffenbarger (Independent labor voice)

Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council Secretary Treasurer Mike Knisely joined the AWF Union Podcast today to discuss the Biden Administration’s action on passing a COVID-19 relief bill that included pension protections, borrowing money to invest in state and federal infrastructure and why the passing of the PRO Act will positively impact organized labor.

The AWF Union Podcast Independent Labor Voice Tom Buffenbarger was also featured on the show today. He spoke about the passage of the PRO Act, a merger between Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern Railway. He also touched on a potential infrastructure plan.

Monty Anderson (Seattle Building and Construction Trades Council) / Jonna Huseman (Transportation Trades Department)

Seattle Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary Monty Anderson was the first featured guest on today’s episode of the AWF Union Podcast. He spoke about how the Seattle Building Trades navigated the pandemic, project labor agreements in the area, heating and ventilation systems in schools and diversifying the workforce.

Also featured on the podcast today was Transportation Trades Department Director of Communications Jonna Huseman. She discussed the highlights of the American Rescue Plan for the transportation industry and investing in infrastructure.

Matt Grills (The American Legion) / Rich Fiesta (Alliance for Retired Americans)

Today on the AWF Union Podcast, American Legion Editor Matt Grills spoke about the April edition of the publication. He previewed stories discussing the reintroduction of civics in American classrooms, the Fitness for Life challenge and shipments to U.S. soldiers fighting in the Vietnam War.

Also featured on today’s show was Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Director Rich Fiesta. He spoke about the American Rescue Plan and the highlights within, the PRO Act passing the House and the battle it faces in the Senate, and changing how the filibuster works.

Lynn Rhinehart (The Nation) / Pat Gallagher (USW/NCALF)

On today’s edition of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, contributing writer to The Nation, Lynn Rhinehart spoke about the need for labor law reform, Amazon’s anti-union tactics, and getting the PRO Act passed by the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Our second guest on the show today was United Steelworkers District 1 Director Pat Gallagher. He spoke about Cooper Tire being acquired by Goodyear, China’s steel dumping in the United States and why anti-union employers are against the PRO Act.

Terry Joyce (Laborers Local 310) / Rosemary Feurer (Mother Jones Museum)

Today on the AWF Union Podcast, Laborers Local 310 Business Manager Terry Joyce spoke about his history in labor, the Irish Echo and and the Labor Leader of the Year Award, as well as some of the community work done by various members of Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council affiliated unions.

Our second featured guest on today’s show was Mother Jones Museum Project Director Rosemary Feurer. She spoke about labor activist Mary Harris, better known as Mother Jones, and her perseverance in her fight for labor rights for all.

Melissa Cropper (Ohio Federation of Teachers) / Fred Albert (AFT-West Virginia)

The first featured guest today on the AWF Union Podcast was Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper. She discussed the America Rescue Plan and how the money in the bill will be used for state and local aid, keeping schools open and cutting child poverty across the entire nation.

American Federation of Teachers - West Virginia President Fred Albert was our second guest speaker on the podcast. He discussed legislators taking retaliatory actions against teachers unions in West Virginia, union busting, and how their teachers navigated the pandemic.