America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Stephen Silvia, American University Professor, The UAW’s Southern Gamble

Stephen Silvia, a professor in the Politics, Governance and Economics Department at American University, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how automakers in the South have worked to prevent the United Auto Workers' unionization efforts, as well as his recent book, The UAW’s Southern Gamble.

Pete Ielmini, Mechanical Insulators LMCT | Andrew Spar, Florida Education Association

Pete Ielmini, Executive Director for the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperation Trust (LMCT), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss training in the construction industry, an upcoming webinar focused on firestopping and mechanical insulation for engineers who manage and maintain buildings across the nation and the mental health care provided by the Insulators Member Assistance Program (IMAP).

Andrew Spar, President of the Florida Education Association, joined the America’s Workforce Union Podcast to discuss a recent study that ranks Florida 50th in the list of average teacher pay by state and other ways Local members are fighting to save their unions.

Jennifer Gill, REI Union Cleveland, RWDSU | Michael Shields, Policy Matters Ohio

Jennifer Gill, a worker organizer, bargaining committee member and organizing committee member with REI Union Cleveland—affiliated with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union—joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing negotiations with REI. Gill also discussed the days of action workers took during the store's anniversary sale and the solidarity shown by elected officials and Local unions.

Michael Shields, an economist with Policy Matters Ohio, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss efforts to get a minimum wage amendment on Ohio’s November ballot. Shields talked about a counter-proposal from a state lawmaker and how raising the minimum wage would assist Ohio workers.

Tyler Holmes, AFSCME Council 9 | Stephanie Jackson, SEIU 1

Tyler Holmes, an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with American Medical Response in Bozeman, Mont. (AMR Bozeman), joined the America’s Workforce Union Podcast to discuss the successful organizing efforts at the private ambulance company and what led the roughly 40 EMTs at AMR to seek representation from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 9.

Stephanie Jackson, a janitor with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the newly ratified contract for commercial janitors in Northeast Ohio. She spoke about the difficult contract negotiations and the importance of having a union help protect the mostly minority workforce.

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 Legion’s annual National Oratorical Contest. He also discussed June’s edition of the Legion Magazine.

Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Director Rich Fiesta joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent positive news about the Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund. Fiesta also discussed potential solutions to increase the years of funding and an update on several lawsuits alleging the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is unconstitutional.

Jamie Walker, USW District 1 | Pat Gallagher, NCALF | Wendy Nolan, Iron Workers Local 17

Jamie Walker, Subdistrict Director of the United Steelworkers District 1, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about how unions and labor-friendly organizations are working together to bring shipbuilding jobs back to America.

Pat Gallagher, President of the North Coast Area Labor Federation and a retired member of the United Steelworkers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about President Biden increasing tariffs on Chinese products and what it could mean for American workers.

Wendy Nolan, a retired member of Iron Workers Local 17 in Cleveland, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss what led her to join the union and what it means to be the first female member to retire from Local 17 after 30 years of service.

Michael Murphy, President, AFGE Local 3448 | Frank Callahan, President, MBTU

President of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 3448, Michael Murphy, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a workplace safety issue that forced an office in Ohio to temporarily close. Murphy also discussed the staffing shortages at Social Security Administration offices, which has limited the ability to assist the public, and also led to an office shutdown in Warrensville Heights, Ohio. 

Frank Callahan, President of the Massachusetts Building Trades Unions (MBTU), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the upcoming work generated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and what it means for the building trades in the state. Callahan also talked about improving diversity among members and what it was like working with former Labor Secretary Marty Walsh.

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director, CWA D4 | John Nichols, Journalist, The Nation

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director of the Communication Workers of America District 4, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the potential end to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the plan’s possible extension.

John Nichols, a journalist with The Nation, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about his story about attacks on the National Labor Relations Act and the National Labor Relations Board for being unconstitutional.

Lyn Montgomery, Executive Council Member, TWU | Chris Lalevee, MAP Coordinator, IUOE Local 825

Lyn Montgomery, Transport Workers Union of America International Executive Council Member who served as lead negotiator and President for TWU Local 556 for the Transport Workers Union of America Local 556, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the new industry-leading contract ratified by flight attendants with Southwest Airlines.

Continuing our coverage of Mental Health Awareness Month, business agent and coordinator for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 Member Assistance Program (MAP), Chris Lalevee, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the work he’s done to create the program for Local 825 and promote mental health awareness among members.

Cathy Drummond, District 11 Director, USW | Andrew Strom, Labor Lawyer

As the Director of the United Steelworkers District 11 and the newly appointed lead for healthcare bargaining, Cathy Drummond discussed workplace hazards faced by nurses and healthcare workers on today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast as we celebrate National Nurses Week.

Andrew Strom, Labor Lawyer and contributing author to the OnLabor Blog, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent oral arguments the U.S. Supreme Court heard in the Starbucks Corp. v. McKinney case.