America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Karla Hernandez-Mats, UTD | Tim Burga, Ohio AFL-CIO

Karla Hernandez-Mats, President of the United Teachers of Dade, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their overwhelming union certification vote held in October. She also discussed the policy changes that established the need for yearly recertification votes for public unions.

Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the issues and races on today’s ballot that could impact labor in Ohio.

David Harris, AFSCME Local 394 | Jared Abbott, Center for Working Class Politics

David Harris, a member of American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 394, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how his life has changed since he began working a union job. He also talked about his experiences during his canvassing efforts in the Philadelphia area.

Jared Abbott, Director of the Center for Working-Class Politics, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the poor messaging he’s seen from political candidates attempting to speak to union members.

Dorsey Hager, C/CO BCTC | 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 share updates on Intel and other construction projects in Central Ohio. He also discussed the demand for building unions to provide well-trained members to handle new construction projects.

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts leading up to Election Day. He shared some of the concerns from union members about the election and what their vote could mean for the future.

Kevin Cooper, AFGE | Roy Morrison, BMWED

Kevin Cooper, National Political Director for the American Federation of Government Employees, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his career path to the AFGE. He also discussed how government policy has positively impacted organizing over the past few years and how members have reacted to educational opportunities around the election.

Roy Morrison, Safety Director for the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) final rule proposal mandating automated track inspection to supplement human track inspections.

Jon Schleuss NewsGuild-CWA | Brice Alexander, Melwood

Jon Schleuss, President of The NewsGuild-CWA, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the decision by the owners of the Los Angeles Times and Washington Post to not publish presidential endorsements ahead of the November General Election. Schleuss also compared the difference between Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance crossing the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette picket line earlier this month and a member of the Biden-Harris administration doing something similar in 2023.

Brice Alexander, Senior Vice President of Contract Operations at Melwood, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the organization's mission and workforce as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Merrilee Logue, NLO | Greg Leroy, Good Jobs First

Merrilee Logue, Executive Director for the National Labor Office of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her battle with breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She shared what she learned from her battle in hopes it will help others navigate their care post-diagnosis.

Greg Leroy, Executive Director of Good Jobs First, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss an article that examined the impact of film and televsion subsidies on state and local communities.

Brian Renfroe, NALC | Dean Nicosia, Union Shirts (TM Design Corp)

Brian Renfroe, President of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the union’s tentative agreement with the United States Postal Service. Renfroe also spoke about the NALC “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive and an increase in the number of letter carriers assaulted on the job.

Dean Nicosia, Operations Manager at TM Design Corp in Rochester, N.Y., joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the company's union printing and embroidery services. He also explained why the company's owner chose to go union.

Jason Lopes, Teamsters Health Care Director | Donnie Blatt, USW District 1

Jason Lopes, Health Care Director for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and a business agent for Teamsters Local 25, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the new national master agreement for workers at the American Red Cross. He also discussed the union members in the healthcare industry and an extensive organizing campaign in Michigan.

District 1 Director for the United Steelworkers, Donnie Blatt, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss what Ohio-based members of District 1 are doing to educate the public on the importance of State Issue 1.

Daniel Bauder, Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO | Pat Gallagher, North Coast Area Labor Council

Daniel Bauder, President of the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his journey to becoming the fourth president in the labor council's history. He also discussed their canvassing efforts and the vital role he believes central labor councils hold in the future of organized labor.

Pat Gallagher, President of the North Coast Area Labor Federation, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their canvassing campaign as the November election approaches and the engagement from Local affiliates. He also discussed Cleveland-Cliffs’ acquisition attempt of Stelco.

Pete Ielmini, Mechanical Insulators LMCT | Debbie Berkowitz, Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University

Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to provide an update on the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act. He also discussed how fire stopping education could assist the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development create safer properties.

Debbie Berkowitz, a Fellow at the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the new Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) - Division of Labor and Industry standard for heat safety protections for workers.