America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Ademola Oyefeso, United Food and Commercial Workers Union, International Vice President | Andrew Strom, Labor Lawyer

International Vice President and Director of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union’s Cannabis Division, Ademola Oyefeso, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about their success organizing in the Cannabis industry and the importance of organizing workers in a new industry.

Labor lawyer Andrew Strom joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent decision by the National Labor Relations Board in the case against CeMex. Strom explained the decision’s impact on organizing efforts and how it helps provide workers with a way to fight illegal activities by their employer.

John Russo, Visiting Scholar, Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University | Ileen DeVault, Labor Historian, Cornell ILR School

Visiting scholar at the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University, John Russo, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing negotiations between the UAW and Big Three auto manufacturers and how they can learn from auto plants in the Youngstown, Ohio region to help with the negotiations.

Labor historian and Professor with the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, Ileen DeVault, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the changing mentality of the Labor Movement among students. DeVault also discussed the ILR Labor Action Tracker and trends contributing to the “Hot Summer Labor.”

Renee Hersey, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Supervisory Economist | Dave Megenhardt, Executive Director, United Labor Agency

A supervisory economist for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Renee Hersey, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the process for documenting data and looked at 2023's preliminary findings for major work stoppages in America. Hersey also discussed the industries leading the way for stoppages and the number of workers involved.             

Executive Director of the United Labor Agency, Dave Megenhardt, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about a new educational program now available through the agency, the benefits it provides workers and the upcoming ULA UnSung Heroes Dinner.

Tim Burga, President, Ohio AFL-CIO | Dave Spero, National President, Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS)

President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, Tim Burga, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the annual State of Working Ohio report. Burga also talked about trends and issues in the workforce since the pandemic and the struggle to redistrict the state's voting maps.

National President for the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), Dave Spero, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the operations and work completed by his organization. Spero also discussed the Federal Aviation Agency’s issues with funding and staffing and their efforts to improve their workforce through an internship program.

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer, AFL-CIO | Margaret Poydock, Senior Policy Analyst and Government Affairs Specialist, EPI | Tom Buffenbarger, Independent Labor Voice

Secretary-Treasurer from the AFL-CIO, Fred Redmond, makes a special Labor Day appearance on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the “States of the Unions” address from AFL-CIO.

Senior Policy Analyst from the Economic Policy Institute, Margaret Poydock, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the increases in strikes, growth in public popularity of unions and the correlation between union membership and wage disparity.

Tom Buffenbarger, an independent labor voice, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the history of Labor Day and how a pen mishap created a mystery around the founder of the holiday.

Dave Arouca, National Legislative Director, TCU/IAM | Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, C/CO BCTC

Executive Secretary-Treasurer for the Colombus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Dorsey Hager, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about Google’s recent pledge of $1.7 billion in new construction. Hager also discussed efforts to ensure the building trades can handle manpower needs and the Davis-Bacon Act changes.

National Legislative Director for the Transportation Communications Union/International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Dave Arouca, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about rail safety under the Precision Scheduled Railroading model. Arouca also discussed the landmark hearing on freight commerce and the push for new railroad regulatory rules.

Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, Vice President, Writers Guild of America East | Kenyon Johnson, Anisa Hosseinnezhaf, and Gabriella Ortega Ricketts, Documentary Workers United, CWA Local 9003

Vice President of the Writers Guild of America East, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the ongoing writers’ strike. Cullen also talked about the energy and support for the strike and what a fair, modern contract win involving artificial intelligence would look like and the impact it would have on the entertainment industry.

A trio of members from the Documentary Workers United (CWA Local 9003), Kenyon Johnson, Anisa Hosseinnezhaf, and Gabriella Ortega Ricketts, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the work done to earn the first contract for the DWU. The group discussed the work done by the International Documentary Association (IDA) and the importance of unions for the non-profit sector. 

Sean McGarvey, President, NABTU | Rob Monak, Workforce Development/Organizer/Business Development, Ironworkers Local 55

President of the North America’s Building Trades Union, Sean McGarvey, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the improvements made to the Davis Bacon Act. McGarvey also discussed the history of the Act and how it will impact the clean energy future.

Vice President of the Ironworkers Local 55, Rob Monak, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about his unique path to Union. Monak also talked about the efforts by Local 55 to organize and recruit new members.

Jon Schleuss, President, NewsGuild-CWA | Bob Funk, Founder and Executive Director, Labor Lab

President of the NewsGuild-CWA, Jon Schleuss, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about recent police incidents involving news agencies across America. Schleuss discussed the raid of the Marion County Record, the ongoing Pittsburgh Post Gazette strike and the TVO public broadcasters strike in Toronto.

Founder and Executive Director of Labor Lab, Bob Funk, returned to the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the increase in union-busting activities in America. Funk discussed the work that Labor Lab does for the labor movement and how new regulations from the Department of Labor can help hold large corporations accountable.

Aurora Bihler, Conductor, Ironworkers Local 396 | John Samuelsen, Transport Workers Union, President

Conductor with Ironworkers Local 396 in St. Louis, Aurora Bihler, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her life as a journeyman in the Ironworkers Union. Bihler also talked about the importance of diversity in the trades and her work with the BUD program in St. Louis.

President of Transport Workers Union of America, John Samuelsen, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss working conditions on New York City railways and the potential for TWU workers to go on strike. Samuelsen also discussed the conditions of the SAG-AFTRA picket and the importance of solidarity in the labor movement.