America’s Work Force Union Podcast

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.

Jeff Stoffer, American Legion | Lisa Cutler, Alliance for Retired Americans

Jeff Stoffer, Director of the American Legion’s Media and Communications Division, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Legion's century-long involvement in youth baseball, the consequences of a broken immigration system and the importance of America's global leadership.

Lisa Cutler, Communications Director for the Alliance for Retired Americans, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the future of Social Security, potential Medicaid cuts in Congress and the ripple effects of healthcare policy changes on private insurance premiums.

Tony Cardwell, BMWED-IBT | Pat Gallagher, North Coast Area Labor Federation

Tony Cardwell, President of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWED) – a division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters – joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the potential dangers of proposed autonomous track inspections, the importance of human inspectors and the anticipated consequences of reducing mandated inspections.

Pat Gallagher, President of the North Coast Area Labor Federation, discussed the recent approval of Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel, highlighting concerns about job security, union representation and national security implications.

Arnold Scott, AFGE | Andrew Spar, FEA

Arnold Scott, National Vice President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing attacks on federal workers, particularly at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the administration's attempts to strip union rights and AFGE's efforts to fight back through legal action and advocacy.

Andrew Spar, President of the Florida Education Association, discussed the union's success in recertification elections, legislative victories against anti-union measures and ongoing challenges in public education.

Melissa Cropper, OFT | Fred Kowal, UUP

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Ohio’s underfunding of public schools, challenges to labor rights in higher education and the importance of union leadership development.

President of United University Professions Fred Kowal joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the challenges facing higher education under the Trump administration, the importance of labor unity and strategies for engaging the public on critical issues.

John Coleman and Annie Hollister, AGMA | David Madland, CAP

John Coleman, Co-Chair of the Met AGMA Negotiating Committee, and Annie Hollister, Counsel for the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their new one-year contract with the Metropolitan Opera. 

David Madland, senior fellow and advisor to the American Worker Project at the Center for American Progress (CAP), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss recent research on voter preferences, the disconnect between public opinion and policy implementation and the current state of unions and the middle class.

Andrew Strom, Labor Lawyer | Len DiCosimo, AFM Local 4

Andrew Strom, labor lawyer, adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School and OnLabor Blog contributor, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the impact of Trump-appointed judges on labor cases, proposed cuts to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the importance of enforcing labor laws.

Len DiCosimo, President of the American Federation of Musicians Local 4, discussed upcoming music industry conferences in Cleveland, the impact of political decisions on the arts and a new musician-led protest movement.

Jacob Morrison, North Alabama Area Labor Council | Catherine Turcer, Common Cause Ohio

Jacob Morrison, co-host of The Valley Labor Report and member of the North Alabama Area Labor Council, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss labor issues in Alabama, the impact of federal budget cuts and the state's political landscape. Morrison shared insights on protests against immigration enforcement, the effects of federal agency cuts on Alabama's workforce and the potential implications of Tommy Tuberville's gubernatorial announcement.

Catherine Turcer from Common Cause Ohio, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss changes to campaign finance laws proposed in Ohio's budget, potential misuse of unclaimed funds and ongoing attacks on direct democracy initiatives.

Kimberly Kam, ABOC | Jacqueline Cañola, SEIU Education and Support Fund

Following Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in May, Kimberly Kam, Senior Vice President and Sales Director for Union Commercial Services at the Amalgamated Bank of Chicago (ABOC), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast. She discussed her journey as an Asian American in the financial sector, strategies for overcoming cultural challenges and her involvement in empowering entrepreneurs in low-income countries.

Jacqueline Cañola, Professional Development & Technical Assistance Program Manager with the Service Employees International Union Education and Support Fund, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the challenges faced by family child care educators, support efforts through the We Empower Providers Assembly (WEPA) Conference and progress made through collective bargaining.

Frank Mathews, CWA District 4 | Kalena Thomhave, Capital & Main

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director for District 4 of the Communication Workers of America (CWA), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, the recent policy changes affecting its implementation and the potential impact on rural communities.

Kalena Thomhave, a freelance journalist based in Pittsburgh, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her story on Capital & Main about the United Steelworkers' victory at Blue Bird Corporation in Georgia and its impact on organizing in the South.