America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Bill Samuel, Director of Government Affairs, AFL-CIO | Chelsea Fenton, Executive Board Recording Secretary and Labor Steward, LIUNA Local 596

Bill Samuel, Director of Government Affairs for the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the passage of a Federal budget for this fiscal year, and how the political division in Congress has led to the least amount of legislation passed during a Congressional Session in history.

A labor steward and Executive Board Recording Secretary with LIUNA Local 596 in Massachusetts, Chelsea Fenton, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast as we continue our coverage of Women’s History Month. Fenton talked about her journey to the union, her growth in the Local and how she’s established a network for tradeswomen in Western Massachusetts along with a large following on social media.

Pete Ielmini, Executive Director, Insulators LMCT | Latoya Mathis, Union Rep, UFCW Local 75

Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators  Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the progress on the Mechanical Insulation Act. Iemini also discussed a new program to help leaders within the union recognize and assist members needing mental health care.

As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, Latoya Mathis, a union and servicing representative for the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 75 in Dayton, Ohio, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about how the union supported her and allowed her to graduate college. She also talked about her work to help empower young women in the union and guide them toward success.

Maximillian Alvarez, Editor, The Real News Network, and Chris Albright, LIUNA Local 1058 | Tom Buffenbarger, independent labor voice

East Palestine resident and LIUNA Local 1058 member Chris Albright and Editor-in-Chief for The Real News Network, Maximillian Alvarez, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to follow up on the event in East Palestine, Ohio over the weekend, the support they received from unions and what union leaders can do to help the residents of East Palestine.

Tom Buffenbarger, an independent labor voice, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his reaction to the tragic events unfolding in Baltimore after a ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge leading to its collapse. Buffenbarger then discussed the history of Boeing’s leadership changes that led to their current situation and how it compares to what he experienced with General Electric.

 

The clip from today's show was brought to you by our good friends and one of our fantastic sponsors, the Alliance for American Manufacturing. Click here to learn more about the concerns with Chinese shipbuilding.

Rachel Lablance, UA VIP Instructor | Mary Anne Trasciatti, Director of Labor Studies Hofstra and President of Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition | Greg Regan, President, TTD

Continuing our Women’s History Month coverage, America’s Work Force Union Podcast was joined by the first female trainer for the United Association Veterans in Piping Program, Rachel Lablance. She discussed her journey into the program, how she became a trainer and how the Department of Defense SkillBridge program helped shape her life.

Mary Anne Trasciatti, Director of Labor Studies at Hofstra University and President of the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the 113th anniversary of the deadly fire in 1911. Trasciatti talked about how the aftermath of the fire helped workers in the garment industry, the new memorial and how it educates the public. 

President of the Transportation Trades Department, Greg Regan, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the rising attacks on letter carriers and legislation to help prevent the violence. Regan also discussed the REEF Act and his letter supporting the CEO of Norfolk Southern following a Wall Street special interest investor’s attempt to remove him.

Staci Moody-Gilbert, Vice President of the Midwest Region, BMWED | James Walker, Director of Sub-District 1, USW

Vice President of the Northwest Region of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes- International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Staci Moody-Gilbert, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast as part of our ongoing Women’s History Month coverage. Moody-Gilbert discussed her roles in the union, the number of councils and caucuses she advises and what it was like as a woman in a male-dominated industry.

James Walker, Director of the United Steelworkers Sub-District 1, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his journey to Sub-District 1 Director. Walker also talked about the efforts to keep the steel industry in America including a joint union 301 petition, and a District 1 pilot program to develop local organizers.

Dave McCall, President, United Steelworkers | Teresa M. Hodge, President, United Faculty of Florida

Dave McCall, President of the United Steelworkers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel and President Biden’s recent comments that cast doubt on the finality of the deal.

President of the United Faculty of Florida, Teresa M. Hodge, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her experience as a woman of color in the UFF, and how her union helped lead her into a leadership position. Hodge also talked about the concerted efforts by Florida’s legislators to eliminate public sector unions and any DEI efforts in higher education institutions.

Tanita Cole, 6th District NVAC Rep, AFGE | Shawn Fain, President, UAW

Our next guest for Women’s History Month, Tinita Cole, American Federation of Government Employees 6th District National VA Council Representative, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about her journey through the union while dealing with discrimination and how the union helped her.

As labor continues to increase its focus on worker mental health and ensuring workers have the opportunity for a positive work-life balance, the America’s Work Force Union Podcast is presenting portions of United Autoworkers President Shawn Fain’s testimony on Capitol Hill about the need for a 32-hour workweek. Special thank you to the UAW for providing Fain’s testimony, please visit the link here to watch the entire video.

Melissa Cropper, President, OFT | Max Alvarez, TRNN and Chris Albright, East Palestine Resident

President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT), Melissa Cropper, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the first contract negotiations at Equitas Health Centers in Ohio. Cropper also discussed how two Ohio groups used awards from the American Federation of Teachers’ 2023 back-to-school innovation grants.

Maximillian Alvarez, Editor-in-Chief of The Real News Network and Chris Albright, an East Palestine, Ohio resident, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss an upcoming event in East Palestine that hopes to urge President Joe Biden to utilize the Stafford Act to help residents of the region following 2023’s Norfolk Southern derailment.

Adam Keller, Co-host, TVLR | Liliana Calderon, Director of Health and Safety, Bricklayers Union

Adam Keller, co-host for The Valley Labor Report, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his speaking engagements from events this month focused on organizing and the power of unions. Keller then discussed recent organizing wins in the South and provided an update on the UAW’s efforts to organize in the region.

The Director of Health and Safety for the International Association of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts, Liliana Calderon, joined the America’ s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about her journey into the trade and how she adapted to the physical demands of the job. Calderon also discussed her work with the BAC Sisters RISE group and the women’s health programs available through the union.

Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications, American Legion | Rich Fiesta, Executive Director, 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 joint effort to provide scientifically proven training for suicide awareness between Columbia University and the Legion.

Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Director Rich Fiesta joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the organization’s annual report, which outlines Congressional voting records from 2023 and how proposed cuts from a former U.S. President could impact workers and retirees.