America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Sarah Anderson, IPS | Matt Biggs, IFPTE

Sarah Anderson, Director of the Global Economy Project at the Institute for Policy Studies, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the disparities between executive and worker compensation, the intricacies of the U.S. tax system and possible reforms to create a more equitable economic landscape.

Matt Biggs, President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the potential impact of proposed federal workforce cuts, the implications of ongoing tax cut debates and the challenges surrounding immigration judges under current policies.

Paul Mueller Jr., ABOC | Jessica Martinez, National COSH

Paul Mueller Jr., Vice President of Commercial Lending at ABOC, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the intricacies of construction lending for unions, the importance of early lender involvement, the unique aspects of union construction lending and the steps in financing union construction projects.

Jessica Martinez, Executive Director of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the statistics of workplace injuries and fatalities, the annual release of the 2025 Dirty Dozen report highlighting negligent employers and the greater challenges faced by immigrant workers in hazardous industries.

Pete Smith, Confyde | Andrew Strom, OnLabor Blog

Continuing our coverage of Mental Health Awareness Month, Pete Smith, founder of Confyde, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the platform’s development, its application in sports and business and the importance of confidential mental health support.

Andrew Strom, a labor lawyer and OnLabor contributor, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the disparity between CEO and average worker pay, the ineffectiveness of disclosure laws and CEO benefits that further expand wage disparity.

Al Baraza, IUPAT | Dave Megenhardt, ULA

Al Barraza, Director of Organizing for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 14, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a campaign for worker safety at Sure Built Concrete Forms and Accessories. 

Dave Megenhardt, Executive Director of the United Labor Agency (ULA), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the agency's efforts in supporting displaced federal workers in Northeast Ohio and promoting mental health awareness. 

Cal Beyer, SAFE Project | Tim Burga, Ohio AFL-CIO

Continuing our coverage of Mental Health Awareness Month, Cal Beyer, Senior Director of Safe Workplaces for the Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic (SAFE) Project, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the intersection of substance abuse, mental health and suicide prevention in the construction industry.

Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, appeared on the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss pressing legislative issues affecting Ohio's workers and an upcoming legislative conference to address these challenges.

Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas | Ed. Bartlett Jr., Bartlett Maritime Corporation

Continuing our Mental Health Awareness Month coverage, Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, clinical psychologist and mental health advocate, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the importance of changing workplace culture, applying safety principles to mental health and a preview of 2026’s annual mental health summit.

Capt. Ed Bartlett Jr., Founder/CEO of Bartlett Maritime Corporation and U.S. Navy veteran, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the need to rebuild America’s industrial capacity, the importance of skilled labor and Bartlett Maritime Corporation's workforce partnership with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers to meet national security demands.

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 recent economic challenges, ongoing projects and outreach efforts in the Central Ohio construction industry.

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the impact of recent tariffs on the economy, the rollback of safety regulations under the Trump administration and ongoing challenges faced by unions in protecting workers' rights.

CWM Summit Panel featuring Alanna Marklund, Ben Bradshaw, Mike Hazard, James Pursell and Pete Ielmini

The America’s Work Force Union Podcast proudly sponsored a panel discussion held earlier this year at the Fourth Annual Construction Working Minds Summit in Dallas. The summit's purpose is to support mental health awareness in the building trades. To kick off Mental Health Awareness Month, today’s show features discussions from that panel, called Health Building Blocks for the Building Trades.

Panel guests included: 

• Alanna Marklund, Special Representative, United Association Canada
• Ben Bradshaw, Business Manager, UA Local 100 in Dallas
• Mike Hazard, Program Administrator, United Association Veterans in Piping Program
• Pete Ielmini, Executive Director, Mechanical Insulators LMCT
• James Pursell, Peer Support Specialist, Laborers LEAN STL 

Robert Peters, Illinois State Senator | Greg Regan, TTD

Illinois State Sen. Robert Peters joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about his journey into politics, Illinois' pro-worker legislation and efforts to prepare Illinois residents for careers in the trades.

Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the alarming rise in violence against transit workers, the urgent need for investment in air traffic control systems and the importance of fully funding the Maritime Security Program.

Jalen Alexander, SPWU | Tom Buffenbarger

Jalen Alexander, President of the Social Policy Workers United — affiliated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 57 — joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the impact of federal funding reductions on nonprofit workers and the importance of union solidarity during layoffs.

Tom Buffenbarger, former International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the impact of tariffs on the economy, challenges in the shipbuilding industry and the importance of maintaining worker safety standards.