America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Bill Samuel, Government Affairs Director, AFL-CIO | Dan Poteet, Business Manager, Insulators Local 50

Bill Samuel, Government Affairs Director of the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast for his final appearance in his current position. Samuel talked about his history in Labor and his memories on the show. He also spoke on the work President Joe Biden has done to help pass a foreign aid package and the Biden Administration's announcement of the final rules on overtime for certain salaried employees.

Business Manager of International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators Local 50, Dan Poteet, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a potential record contract for members of Local 50. He also provided an update on the Local’s organizing campaign to get enough members to handle the growing workload in Central Ohio.

Pete Ielmini, Executive Director, Mechanical Insulators LMCT | Ken Grossinger, Author, How Organizers And Artists Are Creating a Better World Together

Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust Executive Director Pete Ielmini joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and provided an update on the status of the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act and talked about jobsite safety.

 

Ken Grossinger, author of “Artworks: How Organizers and Artists are Creating a Better World Together,” appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the power of art and how it can lead to social change. 

 

Scott Paul, President, Alliance for American Manufacturing | Tom Buffenbarger, Independent Labor Voice

Scott Paul, Alliance for American Manufacturing President, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the Biden administration launching an investigation into China's unfair trade practices in the shipbuilding sector and how Chinese overcapacity is a threat to many U.S. industries.

Independent labor voice Tom Buffenbarger appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about recent safety concerns raised about Boeing aircraft and his worry that union members will ultimately pay the price for the decisions by Boeing’s upper management.

Dr. Janet Choi, reproductive endocrinologist, and Stacey Hofert, VP of Labor and Trust, Progyny | Roland “Rex” Rexha, Secretary-Treasurer, MEBA

In honor of National Infertility Awareness Week beginning today, April 22, America’s Work Force Union Podcast featured Dr. Janet Choi, a double-board certified reproductive endocrinologist, and Stacey Hofert, Vice President of Labor and Trust, from Progyny. They discussed what they are doing to help individuals in the trades receive better care across the fertility, family building and women’s health continuum. They also talked about expanding benefits and closing the gaps in coverage that exist today.

Secretary-Treasurer for the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA), Roland “Rex” Rexha, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to give a seagoing engineers’ perspective on the Francis Scott Key Bridge incident in the Baltimore Harbor and potential maritime reforms that could help protect workers and residents around ports.

Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications for the American Legion | Norm Wernet, President, Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans

Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications for the American Legion, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about a few stories found in May’s edition of the Legion Magazine.

Norm Wernet, President of the Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the problems created by the lack of funding for Social Security Administration field offices.

Katelyn Parady, Staffer, NCOSH | Dave Jamieson, Labor Journalisty, HuffPost

Katelyn Parady, a Phoenix-based Staffer for the National Council for Occupational Safety & Health (National COSH), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the recent city ordinance in Phoenix that will provide protection from extreme heat in the workplace. 

Dave Jamieson, Labor Journalist with the HuffPost, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Florida’s recent law preventing local governments from passing heat ordinances for worker safety.

Jessica LaPointe, President AFGE Council 220 | Rick Miedema, Secretary-Treasurer, Teamsters Local 997

Jessica LaPointe, President of the American Federation of Government Employees Council 220, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to provide updates on the Social Security Administration’s staffing issues after a recent announcement that several offices will be shut down in 2024.

Rick Miedema, Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 997 in Fort Worth, Texas, returned to the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to update the situation with Molson Coors and Local 997’s contract negotiations. Miedema talked about the support they’ve received since going on strike and the call for a boycott of all Molson Coors products nationwide.

Melissa Cropper, President, OFT | James Cahill, VP, Labor and Trust Anthem, BCBS

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent first contract ratification at Equitas Health in Ohio. Cropper also spoke about an ongoing organizing campaign that is beginning its union election process, and a research group focusing on improving Teacher’s workplace stress.

James Cahill, Vice President of the Labor and Trust Department for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Taft-Hartley Trust Funds and how unions use the trusts to prevent shifting rising healthcare costs onto members.

Ed Hill, Jr.,Business Development Business Rep, IBEW | Jonathan Rigsby, Author/Crime Intelligence Analyst

Ed Hill, Jr., International Representative, Business Development for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 3rd District joined the America’s Workforce Union Podcast and discussed the importance of the PLA announced between the North American Building Trades Union (NABTU) and Equinor for the Empire Wind project off the coast of New York.

Author Jonathan Rigsby appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about his upcoming book Drive, which he wrote to outline the issues he’s faced as a part-time gig worker and what needs to be done to help drivers avoid being taken advantage of by ride-share companies.

Jared Cassity, Alternate National Legislative Director and Chief of Safety, SMART TD | Andrew Strom, Labor Lawyer

Jared Cassity, the Alternate National Legislative Director of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Transportation Division (SMART TD), joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the new ruling setting a minimum of two-person crews for all trains and discussed the everyday improvements that the Rail Safety Act could provide and how close he believes it is to passing. 

Labor Lawyer, Andrew Strom, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the upcoming Starbucks Corp. v. McKinney case before the U.S. Supreme Court that could impact the strength of the National Labor Relations Board.