America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Lisa Swirsky, AFGE | Clacy Griswold, Teamsters

Lisa Swirsky, Legislative Representative for the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Veterans Administration (VA) budget shortfall and its impact on workers.

Clacy Griswold, Chief Negotiator for the United Airlines Mechanics with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, joined the America’s Workforce Union Podcast to discuss contract negotiations and some of the hurdles, such as foreign outsourcing, recruitment of new mechanics and safety issues.

Marquez Brown, AFSCME Council 8 | Melissa Cropper, OFT

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their literacy instruction program for Ohio parents. She also discussed her visit to the Oyler School and the importance of educating voters.

Marquez Brown, Cleveland Regional Director for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Ohio Council 8, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his approach to voter education and the impact that supporting pro-labor candidates could have on the labor movement's future.

Sarah Anderson, Institute for Policy Studies | Alex Roberts, APFA

Institute for Policy Studies Program Director Sarah Anderson appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Executive Excess 2024 report, an annual IPS publication about executive pay at 100 S&P 500 corporations with the lowest median wages.

Alex Roberts, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants Union Government Affairs Representative and Contract Action Ambassador, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to speak about a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with American Airlines.

Sonya Bohmann, CIASP | Andrew Strom, OnLabor

Sonya Bohmann, Executive Director of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP), discussed suicide awareness and removing the stigma surrounding mental health conversations as part of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast coverage of Construction Suicide Prevention Week.

Andrew Strom, labor lawyer and contributor for OnLabor Blog, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the National Labor Relations Board decision on whether workers at the JFK8 Amazon Fulfillment Warehouse who voted to unionize have won the union election and what the decision means for contract negotiations.

Stacey Hofert and Andrea Stelk, Progyny | Scott Paul, AAM

Stacey Hofert, Group Vice President of Labor and Trust, and Andrea Stelk, Vice President of Commercial Solutions, for Progyny joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss women and fertility healthcare for union members. They discussed the unknowns around the future of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and reproductive rights. They also shared how Progyny has supported family members through the family-building process and then successfully returning to work.

Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the August Jobs Report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the potential impact on inflation and interest rates. He also discussed how investments in American-made products and infrastructure have given him hope for the future of manufacturing in America.

Mike Hazard, UA VIP | Ryan Delgado, NYS ALF-CIO

Mike Hazard, Training Specialist with the United Association Veterans in Piping (VIP) Program, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss mental health and suicide prevention in the UA. He also discussed the lasting impact of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

In honor of the lives that were lost and impacted by the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, America’s Work Force Union Podcast was joined by Ryan Delgado, Chief of Staff for the New York State AFL-CIO and President of the Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act. Delgado discussed the organization's creation and how it helps first responders and survivors of 9/11.

Frank Mathews, CWA District 4 | Christine Johnson, UAW 2300

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director for District 4 of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the striking AT&T workers in the Southeast U.S. He also discussed a new executive order signed last week by President Joe Biden and some of the CWA's organizing wins this year.

Christine Johnson, President of the United Auto Workers Local 2300, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a new contract for members at Cornell University. She talked about the outpouring of support members received and what the contract will mean for these workers and others with contracts set to expire this year.

Chris Lalavee, IUOE Local 825 MAP | Justin Azbill, Milwaukee Tool

As Construction Suicide Prevention Week enters its second day, Chris Lalavee, Business Agent at the International Union of Operation Engineers Local 825 and coordinator of the IUOE Local 825 Member Assistance Program (MAP) joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss some of the events focused on suicide prevention in the trades. He also shared his story, and talked about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as well as other resources available to union members.

Continuing our coverage of Construction Suicide Prevention Week, Justin Azbill, Director of National Health and Safety Strategy for Milwaukee Tool, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his journey with mental health and how it has led him to assist workers in the construction industry. He talked about the ways Milwaukee is helping workers prevent injuries through ergonomic study and training and the Boots on the Ground Tour that is part of their support of National Suicide Prevention Month.

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 provide an update on the Intel megaproject in Central Ohio. He also discussed the need for better infrastructure in Central Ohio and their Labor Day community event.

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss an event in New York City to kick off a new high-speed rail project. Redmond also discussed canvassing campaigns across the country and what they are doing to educate union members about the difference in pro-worker policies between the presidential candidates.

Len Aguilar, Texas AFL-CIO | Andrew Spar, FEA

Len Aguilar, Secretary-Treasurer of the Texas AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Labor Day events across the state. He also discussed the organizing success the Office and Professional Employees International Union and other unions had in recent years, plus attempts to improve heat regulations for Texas workers.

Andrew Spar, President of the Florida Education Association (FEA), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing teacher shortage, which has become more evident through increased class sizes. He also discussed new school security requirements that make it more difficult for parents and students to leave school grounds and spoke about five publishing companies that are suing the state for its book-banning policies.