America’s Work Force Union Podcast

President April Sims, Secretary-Treasurer Cherika Carter. WSLC | Bob Funk, Founder, Labor Lab

On the final day of Black History Month, the America’s Work Force Union Podcast featured the duo that became the first black women to lead a state labor council in AFL-CIO history, Washington State Labor Council President April Sims and Secretary-Treasurer Cherika Carter. Carter discussed her journey to the labor movement, how Sims and herself came to work together and their work to improve diversity and inclusion in Washington unions.

Bob Funk, Founder of LaborLab, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the work his organization does to educate and inform unions on union-busting activities by corporations. Funk also discussed LaborLab’s banner year in 2023 and some of the 2024 anti-union trends.

James Petrides, Senior Mechanical Insulation Specialist, Mechanical Insulators LMCT | Tom Buffenbarger, independent Labor voice

James Petrides, Mechanical Insulators LMCT Senior Mechanical Insulation Specialist, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the public’s lack of knowledge about mechanical insulation and detailed how Mechanical Insulation Energy Audits are performed.

Tom Buffenbarger, an independent union voice, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and addressed an alleged controversy following the incident when a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9. He also discussed how the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers became a model union for diversity for the entire AFL-CIO.

Princess Moss, VP, National Education Association | Jenn Roberts, Vice President for Employer Health Strategy, Hello Heart

Princess Moss, Vice President of the National Education Association, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about finding a career in a union after seeking to help her fellow teachers in Virginia. Moss also spoke about the issues teachers face today and how respecting their work could help prevent more teachers from leaving the education field.

Vice President of the Employer Health Strategy team for Hello Heart, Jenn Roberts, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss what Hello Heart is doing to improve hearth health education for union members and their work to lower the number of workers suffering from cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Phil Sossenheimer, CIR-SEIU (Committee of Interns and Residents) | Reese Saulter III, Vice President of the Southern Region, BMWED

Dr. Phil Sossenheimer, a Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellow at Stanford University and a representative of the Committee of Interns and Residents - Service Employees International Union (CIR-SEIU), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the organization. Sossenheimer discussed the largest group of house staff in the Midwest to organize, and the first contract for Stanford residents.

Reese Saulter III, International Vice President of the Southern Region of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWED), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his introduction to unions at a young age. Saulter also talked about his journey with the Brotherhood and the fight for paid sick leave for members.

Arnold Scott, National Vice President, AFGE District 6 | Roxanne Brown, International Vice President at Large, United Steelworkers

Arnold Scott, American Federation of Government Employees District 6 National Vice President, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how a federal government shutdown will hurt federal employees. He also spoke about the fight to increase the pay of federal employees and the strides made by the AFGE to diversify membership to improve working conditions for African Americans.

Roxanne Brown, United Steelworkers International Vice President at Large, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about the loss of 900 jobs at a West Virginia tin mill. She also explained some of the USW’s concerns regarding the acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan-based Nippon Steel.

Bill Samuel, Director of Government Affairs, AFL-CIO | Steve Hicks, President, Teamsters Local 283

Bill Samuel, AFL-CIO Legislative Director, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss ongoing issues in Congress, specifically their inability to pass a budget plan for the year. Samuel also addressed proposed cuts to worker protection programs and a constitutional challenge to the National Labor Relations Board.

International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 283 President Steve Hicks joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the status of negotiations at the Marathon Petroleum Refinery in Detroit and explain why members voted to approve a strike if negotiations do not improve.

Paul Rodell, Executive Council Member, APA Teamsters Local 1224 | Nya Anthony, Research Analyst, Good Jobs First

Captain Paul Rodell, an executive council member of the Allied Pilots Association Teamsters Local 1224, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Omni Air negotiations and the events that led to the members recently voting to approve a potential strike.

Research Analyst for Good Jobs First, Nya Anthony, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her recent report on racial inequality within the board seats at privatized state economic development corporations across nine states.

Melissa Cropper, President, Ohio AFL-CIO | Carl Kriss, Director, Relighting the Flame

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about organizing campaigns in 2024. Cropper also talked about the organization’s biennial convention and the success of Literacy Across Ohio Day.

Director Carl Kriss joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his upcoming documentary, Relighting the Flame, which focuses on the fall and comeback of the steel industry in Northeast Ohio. Kriss talked about the inspiration behind the film and some of the worker stories that stuck with him.

Everett Kelley, National President, AFGE | Eric Dean, International President, Iron Workers Union

Everett Kelley, National President of the American Federation of Government Employees, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his 44 years with the union. Kelley talked about his success organizing at all levels of the organization and how the AFGE uses its National Legislative and Grassroots Mobilization Conference to fight for government workers.

International President of the Iron Workers Union, Eric Dean, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss what the union is doing to meet the growing needs in the workforce. Dean also discussed the exceptional safety training that members must undergo and their efforts to improve diversity and inclusion in the organization.

Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications, American Legion | Robert Roach Jr, President, Alliance for Retired Americans

In preparation for Women’s History Month, which takes place in next month, Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications for the American Legion, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the March edition of the Legion Magazine.

Our Black History Month coverage continues as Alliance for Retired Americans President Robert Roach Jr. joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed what it meant to become the first black General Secretary-Treasurer of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and his legacy to improve diversity in union leadership.