America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Tim Burga, President, Ohio AFL-CIO | Zack Tanner, President, Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh | Judy Danella, President, USW Local 4-200

Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about Ohio’s increase to the minimum wage. Burga also talked about their work with legislators and the battle to fix gerrymandered districts.

President of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, Zack Tanner, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the 15-month strike at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Tanner discussed efforts to use the National Labor Relations Board to assist in returning their employer to the bargaining table and how the newspaper owners have avoided good-faith negotiations.

Returning to the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Judy Danella, President of USW Local 4-200, discussed the new contract earned by nurses at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital after a four-month strike. Danella discussed the difficulties striking nurses faced and what the safe staffing win means for nursing in New Jersey.

April Sims, President, Washington AFL-CIO | Dave Megenhardt, Executive Director, United Labor Agency

April Sims, President of the Washington State AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, where she discussed her journey in the labor movement, her plan is to put good, union jobs at the forefront of the green energy future and how she plans to improve organizing in the state with the third highest union density.

Executive Director of the United Labor Agency, Dave Megenhardt, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the ULA Counseling Center and its efforts to improve the mental health of workers in the Cleveland area. Megenhardt also discussed its educational program and assisting the Cleveland Building Trades affiliates with recruiting new apprentices.

Director of Education and Training, UA ITF, Ray Boyd | Pat Gallagher, President, North Coast Area Labor Federation

In the final segment of the “Best of 2023” coverage, the America’s Work Force Union Podcast looks back at the Nov. 17 interview with the Director of Education and Training for the United Association International Training Fund, Ray Boyd. Boyd joined the show as part of National Apprenticeship Week, and during his interview, he discussed his career with the Union, how the organizing team impacts membership growth and the success he experienced working with apprentices in 2023. 

President of the North Coast Area Labor Federation, Pat Gallagher, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the concerns raised now that Nippon Steel has purchased U.S. Steel. He also talked about efforts to ensure steel production stays domestic and improve voting maps in Ohio.

Cecil Roberts, President, UMWA | Brent Booker, General President, LIUNA

Happy New Year’s Day! Cecil Roberts, President of the United Mine Workers of America, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the Warrior Met Strike in Alabama, outdated protective equipment for miners and the dangers of siliica dust.

As part of the “Best of 2023” coverage, we replayed an interview from July 31, when America’s Work Force Union Podcast interviewed the 11th General President of LIUNA, Brent Booker, to discuss his time in charge of the International after being appointed to his new role. Booker also talked about the construction workers who repaired Interstate 95 in Philadelphia in record time and his plans for the future of the Union.

Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, Clinical Psychologist | Remembering USW President Tom Conway

As part of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast’s “Best of 2023” coverage, we highlight Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, noted psychologist, program trainer and speaker, who joined the show on Sept. 11 as part of Suicide Prevention Week and Mental Health Awareness Month. Dr. Sally spoke about improving mental health awareness in the building trades and improving a Local Union’s ability to provide resources to those in need. 

Many great labor supporters have joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast this year. For the final segment of 2023, we wanted to look back and honor one of Labor’s great leaders, Tom Conway, the late President of United Steelworkers. Today, we shared the second segment from the Oct. 3 episode that highlighted his appearances on the show over the last three years.

Sean McGarvey, NABTU, President | Bill Samuel, Director of Government Affairs, AFL-CIO

Bill Samuel, AFL-CIO Director of Government Affairs, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Congress’s productivity in 2023, two new deadlines for a potential government shutdown and the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.

For day seven of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast’s “Best of 2023” coverage, we go back to our July 13 interview with Sean McGarvey, President of North America’s Building Trades Unions, who talked about NABTU’s multi-city highlight tour. McGarvey also spoke on Apprenticeship Readiness Programs (ARPs) and the extraordinary efforts by union members to rebuild Interstate 95 in Philadelphia.

Pete Ielmini, Executive Director, Insulators LMCT | Terry O’Sullivan, General President, LIUNA

Pete Ielmini, the Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and provided updates on the status of the mechanical insulation legislation in Congress, the importance of knowing what mechanical insulators do and labor shortages in the industry.

 

America’s Work Force Union Podcast’s “Best of 2023” coverage continues with a look back at the April 27 interview with then Laborers’ International Union of North America General President Terry O’Sullivan, who discussed his retirement and tenure as the leader of LIUNA.

David Cann, Director of Organizing with the American Federation of Government Employees | Tom Buffenbarger, independent labor voice

As a continuation of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast “Best of 2023” coverage, today’s episode features a replay from June 21 featuring David Cann, Director of Organizing with the American Federation of Government Employees. He discussed the union’s organizing success in the first half of 2023 and the union’s plans to continue the trend going forward. Cann also discussed the organizing model used by the AFGE and why empowering Local Unions and members is the key to successful organizing.

On July 4, Independence Day, the America’s Work Force Union Podcast was joined by Independent labor voice Tom Buffenbarger who talked about the history of Harley-Davidson. As part of the AWF  “Best of 2023” coverage, Buffenbarger talked about the post-war problems Harley-Davidson faced and how unions like the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers helped make Harley the company it is today.

Ed Hill Jr., Business Development Rep, IBEW 3rd District | Vicki O’Leary, TWBN Chair, Erica Stewart, TWBN committee member

Merry Christmas! The America’s Work Force Union Podcast continues its “Best of 2023” coverage  with a Nov. 2 interview featuring IBEW 3rd District Business Development Representative, Ed Hill Jr. He talked about the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 3rd District’s plan for transitioning to green energy, the importance of organizing so they can staff the new jobs in the region and solar and offshore developments planned in New York and New Jersey.

NABTU Tradeswomen Committee Chair and Ironworkers General Organizer and Director of Diversity Vicki O’Leary and International Brotherhood of Boilermakers International Representative and TWBN Committee member Erica Stewart joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the North America’s Building Trades Union’s 13th annual Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference.

Mark Dimondstein, President, AWPU | Dave McCall, International President, USW

It’s day 3 of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast’s “Best of 2023” coverage. Today we’ll feature the May 8 conversation with the President of the American Postal Workers Union, Mark Dimondstein. Dimondstein spoke on how the American Postal Workers Union was dealing with staffing issues on the retail and delivery side of postal work. He also discussed some of the fundamental issues that needed to be fixed in order to improve working conditions and ways the Post Office could improve banking access for millions of Americans.

International President of the United Steelworkers, Dave McCall, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the announcement that US Steel has agreed to be purchased by Nippon Steel. McCall outlined his thoughts on the deal and potential issues that could prevent the deal from being finalized. Finally, McCall talked about the future and what to expect from the USW in 2024.