America’s Work Force Union Podcast

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 expansion of the Building Futures program, Prevailing Wage legislation and challenges with the Columbus airport project.

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the upcoming nationwide bus tour to “reclaim Labor Day,” criticized the Republican Party's recent policy decisions and emphasized the need to protect democracy.

Randi Weingarten, AFT | Schuyler Worthey, SMART Local 85

Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the "Big Ugly Bill," career-connected learning initiatives and the changing landscape of education and workforce development. 

Schuyler Worthey, Business Representative for the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Local 85 in Atlanta, discussed the union's efforts to attract young people to the sheet metal trade, their state-of-the-art training facility and the challenges faced in a So-Called “Right-To-Work” state.

Tony Liberatore Jr., LIUNA Local 860 | Dave Megenhardt, ULA

Tony Liberatore Jr., Business Manager of LIUNA Local 860, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss work zone safety, the challenges faced by construction workers and the efforts to protect workers and drivers on America's highways.

Dave Megenhardt, Executive Director of the United Labor Agency, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the potential impact of proposed federal budget cuts on workforce development programs. He highlighted the potential elimination of crucial initiatives like Job Corps, dislocated worker programs and youth training, while explaining the broader consequences for workers, businesses and the economy.

Nick Juravich, Steve Striffler, The Pandemic and the Working Class | Tim Burga, OH AFL-CIO

Nick Juravich, Associate Director, and Steve Striffler, Director, of the Labor Resource Center and editors of "The Pandemic and the Working Class: How US Labor Navigated COVID-19," joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their book. The conversation covered the experiences of workers across industries, the resurgence of labor organizing and the ongoing challenges faced by universities.

Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recently signed state budget and its implications for workers, education and healthcare. He highlighted the continued expansion of school vouchers, Gov. Mike DeWine's line-item vetoes and potential Medicaid cuts.

Amie Baca-Oehlert | Troy Swanson, CCCTU

Amie Baca-Oehlert, former president of the Colorado Education Association (CEA) and candidate for Congress in Colorado's 8th District, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her transition from education to politics, the challenges facing workers and her vision for change.

Troy Swanson, legislative chair of the Cook County College Teachers Union, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his report "Facing the AI Future: A Call to Action for Union Leaders." Swanson explored the potential impact of AI on jobs, the need for union preparedness and strategies to protect workers during this technological transition.

Liz Perlman, AFSCME Local 3299 | BCBSA and Boys and Girls Club

Liz Perlman, Executive Director of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3299, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the challenges facing University of California (UC) workers. She discussed income inequality between executives and frontline staff, the impact of recent layoffs and the union's efforts to protect immigrant workers amid increased U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.

Merrilee Logue (National Labor Office), Keisha Adams (Blue Cross Blue Shield Association) and Jennifer Bateman (Boys & Girls Clubs of America) joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to provide an update on the partnership between BCBSA companies and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. They highlighted the first discussion of the collaboration on AWF back in May 2024, then discussed the implementation of trauma-informed practices, the impact of trauma-informed specialists and the Apprenticeship Readiness Workshop initiative.

Donna Seering, Melwood | Zoe Karns, IBEW Local 146 and Illinois Pride at Work

Donna Seering, Director of Workforce Development and Innovation at Melwood Community Services, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Building PATHS program, which trains people with disabilities for careers in construction and skilled trades.

Zoe Karns, a journeyman with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 146 and president of Illinois Pride at Work, shared her experience as a transgender electrician. She discussed her transition journey, workplace acceptance and the challenges facing trans individuals in the trades.

Pete Ielmini, Mechanical Insulators LMCT | Dave Spero, PASS

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, firestop awareness and the industry's potential job growth.

David Spero, National President of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the proposed $22 billion in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding, the need for more technicians and the challenges of upgrading the national airspace system.

Lindsay Leeder, Lantern Care | Tom Buffenbarger

Lindsay Leeder, Senior Vice President of Labor Union and Trust at Lantern Care, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the rising healthcare costs facing unions, Lantern's approach to specialty care and strategies for containing expenses while ensuring quality care for members.

Tom Buffenbarger, former General President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, its potential impact on the workforce and the decline of the U.S. shipbuilding industry.

Teresa and Miranda Kruse, Color Health | Matt Biggs, IFPTE

As part of Cancer Survivor Awareness Month, America’s Work Force Union Podcast featured Miranda Kruse, a cancer survivor, and her mother, Teresa Kruse, a caregiver and fellow survivor, who shared their experiences with cancer diagnosis and treatment. They discussed the importance of early detection, the challenges of recovery and their involvement with Color Health's Cancer Connect program, which provides mental health support for cancer patients and survivors.

Matt Biggs, President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss provisions in the U.S. Senate's "Big Beautiful Bill," and its impact on federal unions, healthcare access and jobs across various sectors.