America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Rick Miedema, Teamsters Local 997, Secretary Treasurer | Davida Russell, Executive Secretary/Treasurer, North Coast Area Labor Federation

Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 997, Rick Miedema, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the contract negotiations at Molson Coors’ Fort Worth, Texas plant. Miedema discussed the history of the contract negotiations with the employer and what has occurred in the past week since the strike vote.

As our coverage continues for Black History Month, Davida Russell, the Executive Secretary and Treasurer of the North Coast Area Labor Federation, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about her career serving her union Brothers and Sisters in Ohio. Russell talked about how she got her start and provided updates on the Ohio School Bus Safety Committee.

Karla Hernandez-Mats, President, UTD | Pasquale Gianni, Council and Political Director, Teamsters Joint Council 25

President of United Teachers of Dade, Karla Hernandez-Mats, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Florida Senate Bill 256 and its impact on public sector unions. Hernandez-Mats also discussed the attacks on public education in the state and how it has created a workforce shortage for the education industry in the state.

Pasquale Gianni, Council and Political Director of Teamsters Joint Council 25 appeared on the the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and explained why the Teamsters employed by the Illinois Department of Transportation are preparing to go on strike against the administration of Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Frank Mathews, the Administrative Director of the CWA District 4 | Josh Williams, business agent for SMART Local 24

Frank Mathews, the Administrative Director of the Communication Workers of America District 4, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent updates with the Maximus Call Center and their employees fighting for a contract.

Josh Williams, business agent for Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Local 24 in Columbus, Ohio, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how his previous career as an MMA fighter helped him succeed with the Local.

Fedrick Ingram, Secretary-Treasurer, American Federation of Teachers | Maximillian Alvarez, Editor in Chief, The Real News Network

As a part of our Black History Month coverage, Fedrick Ingram, Secretary Treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his experiences with unions and how he got to his current position. Ingram also talked about the true significance of diversity in schools and Florida’s attack on public unions.

Editor in Chief for The Real News Network, Maximillian Alvarez, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the over 100-day strike at Homegrown Sustainable Sandwiches in Redmond, Washington. Alvarez also discussed the Justice For East Palestine Residents and Workers national campaign.

Scott Paul, President, Alliance of American Manufacturing | Andrew Strom, Labor Lawyer, LaborLab

The Alliance for American Manufacturing’s President, Scott Paul, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Bureau of Labor Statistics report on jobs in the manufacturing industry. Paul also discussed public funding for manufacturing and the national trade deficit.

Labor lawyer, Andrew Strom, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his article posted on the OnLabor Blog that outlines the impact Ronald Reagan’s National Labor Relations Board appointments have had on U.S. Labor law.

Darla Reed, Trainer, Insulators Local 50 | Richard Mack Jr., Partner, Miller Cohen PLC

International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50 Trainer Darla Reed, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her journey to becoming a Trainer and Foreman with Local 50. Reed also discussed her difficulties as a female apprentice and how the building trades work to provide women with a better career path.

Richard Mack Jr., a partner and labor lawyer at Miller Cohen, PLC — a law firm dedicated to serving workers and unions throughout Michigan — joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the impact the National Labor Relations Board’s Cemex Decision has had on organizing. Mack also discussed how he assisted union members during the Detroit bankruptcy proceedings in 2013.

Jason Walsh, Director, BlueGreen Alliance | Kelly Dierkes, President and business agent, Ironworkers Local 549

Executive Director of the BlueGreen Alliance, Jason Walsh, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his previous work with labor and the White House. Walsh also discussed the need for union jobs in the green energy transition and taking advantage of the targeted industrial policies coming out of Washington D.C.

President and Business agent from Iron Workers Local 549, Kelly Dierkes, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the amount of bridge work coming into the Northern Appalachia region from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Dierkes also discussed the importance of educating the public on unions and provided updates on legislation that could impact unions in West Virginia.

Tim Burga, President, Ohio AFL-CIO | Adam Keller, Co-Host, Valley Labor Report

Tim Burga, Ohio AFL-CIO President, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and detailed Ohio’s union density stats, an update on the “People not Politicians” campaign to fix the gerrymandered voting districts and updates from the state Senate. 

Adam Keller, Co-Host of the Valley Labor Report, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss organizing at Alabama Arise. Keller also discussed union density increases across the South and what to expect when the state legislature returns to session.

Ryan Durr and Tahlia Segura, Spokespersons, SAM VSO Union | Pat Hook, Business Manager, IBEW Local 683

Ryan Durr and Tahlia Segura, spokespeople for the Seattle Art Museum Visitor Security Officers Union (SAM VSO), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their journey to forming a union. They also spoke about the reason for being an independent union and some of the main issues they want to fix with a first contract.

Business Manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 683, Patrick Hook, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the updates to the Local 683 apprenticeship program and the new training methods taught at the training center to address the transition to green energy.

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, C/CO BCTC | Fred Redmond, Secretary Treasurer, 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 talk about the out-of-town construction manager hired for to oversee work at John Glenn Columbus International Airport that refuses to sign a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA).

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the kick-off events he’s attended to begin Black History Month. Redmond also discussed migrant workers and Liz Schuler’s Year of Labor 2023 article.