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America’s Work Force Union Podcast provides a clear and unfiltered voice for the working people of America. Radio veteran Ed “Flash” Ferenc leads the discussion with a focus on topics that include the impact of labor unions in America, workers’ rights, legislative actions and labor-management relations. Featured guests include various labor leaders, politicians, journalists and more. America’s Work Force Union Podcast provides updates and information from sources around the United States and continues to be the trusted voice for workers across the country.
Episodes

Wednesday Sep 04, 2024
Danny Kelly, LIUNA Local 310 | Dave Megenhardt, ULA
Wednesday Sep 04, 2024
Wednesday Sep 04, 2024
Dave Megenhardt, Executive Director of the United Labor Agency, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a job and training fair in Cleveland. He also discussed ULA’s efforts to register Cleveland residents to vote and provided information on this year's Unsung Heroes of Labor event.
Danny Kelly, who serves on Cleveland City Council and is a retired member of LIUNA Local 310, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his trade career and how it has helped him as a member of Council. He also discussed a new project on Cleveand’s downtown riverfront that will be union-built and potentially staffed with union members.

Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent Labor Day celebrations around Ohio, the problems with the language used for Issue 1 and what it would mean for unions if the redistricting amendment passes.
Hannah Halbert, Executive Director of Policy Matters Ohio, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recently released annual State of Working Ohio report. She discussed the difference between the positive data on paper, the reality for many of Ohio’s working people and the union difference.
Matt Berlin, Business Manager of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 86 in Nashville, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the work outlook for members and the increased demands for apprentices as Nashville continues to grow.

Monday Sep 02, 2024
Monday Sep 02, 2024
Kate Bronfenbrenner, Director of Labor Education Research at Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast on the 130th anniversary of Labor Day to discuss her journey through labor, how she helped shape the careers of several of today’s most influential labor leaders and the current state of the labor movement.
Mike Knisley, Secretary-Treasurer of the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council (OSBCTC), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the legacy of former OSBCTC Secretary-Treasurer Dennis Duffey, who recently passed away.

Friday Aug 30, 2024
Brad Spencer, Melwood | Allison Balanc, Helmets 2 Hardhats
Friday Aug 30, 2024
Friday Aug 30, 2024
Brad Spencer, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Melwood, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss why it is important for all individuals to feel valued and worthy in the workplace and how Melwood is helping those with disabilities experience those feelings on the job.
Allison Balanc, Helmets to Hardhats (H2H) Digital and Social Media Coordinator, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the organization’s purpose and its accomplishments by helping military personnel successfully transition to civilian life through a career in the building trades.

Thursday Aug 29, 2024
Baldemar Velasquez, FLOC | DW Gibson, 25 years after Seattle’s WTO protests
Thursday Aug 29, 2024
Thursday Aug 29, 2024
Baldemar Velasquez, President of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the history of organizing agricultural workers in America and why it’s been more difficult than any other industry. He also talked about the law that goes into effect today, Aug. 29, that will help farm workers to organize.
DW Gibson, author of One Week to Change the World, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his book about Seattle’s 1999 World Trade Organization protests and the impact unions had on the protests.

Wednesday Aug 28, 2024
Pete Ielmini, LMCT | Angela Ferritto, PA AFL-CIO and Union Energy
Wednesday Aug 28, 2024
Wednesday Aug 28, 2024
Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Insulators Member Assistance Program (IMAP) and how it will help members of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers. He also discussed why mechanical insulation can help address many of the environmental issues around the world and then provided an update on the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act (FMIA).
Angela Ferritto, President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO and Union Energy, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her journey in the labor movement and how that has helped her provide educational opportunities to women in the unions across Pennsylvania. She also discussed Union Energy and providing families a pathway to join a union and enjoy the union benefits during the transition to renewable energy.

Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
Tamara McCollough, IUOE Local 150 & III FFC | Tom Buffenbarger
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
Tamara McCollough, DEI Outreach Associate with the Indiana, Illinois, Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting (III FFC) and a seasonal instructor with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 Apprenticeship and Skill Improvement Program (ASIP), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss getting more women involved in the trades and how unions can improve the long-term sustainability of this initiative. McCollough also discussed how Tradeswomen Build Nations (TWBN) has helped empower women in the trades.
Tom Buffenbarger, retired International President of the International Association of Machinists and Allied Workers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the union workers being locked out by two Canadian rail companies. He also discussed a defense industrial training program and what it means for unions to be involved with the political process.

Monday Aug 26, 2024
Jon Schleuss, The NewsGuild-CWA | Greg Regan, TTD
Monday Aug 26, 2024
Monday Aug 26, 2024
Jon Schleuss, President of The NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America (TNG-CWA), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the National Labor Relations Board filing an injunction on behalf of striking Pittsburgh Post-Gazette workers. He also discussed an organizing campaign with in-house staff at 32BJ Service Employees International Union and a potential unfair labor practice (ULP) strike by Law360 Union.
Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his speech during the Democratic National Convention. Regan also spoke about a power outage that stopped trains in the Northeast Corridor and two Canadian rail companies locking out union workers.

Friday Aug 23, 2024
Adam Keller, TVLR.fm | Charleeka Thompson, USW NextGen
Friday Aug 23, 2024
Friday Aug 23, 2024
Adam Keller, Co-host of The Valley Labor Report (TVLR), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss what he’s learned while supporting the Communications Workers of America District 3 strike at AT&T across the Southeast. He also talked about his work with the North Alabama Area Labor Council and then gave an overview of their segment, Boss Watch.
Charleeka Thompson, Director of the Next Generation Program (NextGen) for the United Steelworkers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how the USW is working to engage a younger generation of union members. She also talked about the renewed vigor behind the program’s outreach efforts and where she envisions the program in the future.

Thursday Aug 22, 2024
Dan Poteet, Insulators Local 50 | Dustin Reinstedler, KY AFL-CIO
Thursday Aug 22, 2024
Thursday Aug 22, 2024
Dan Poteet, Business Manager of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for his members, the Local’s work outlook in Central Ohio and growing membership by recruiting more women and minority members.
Dustin Reinstedler, President of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his career in the labor movement and what led him to want to seek leadership roles. He also discussed the importance of union solidarity in the state and what is being done with school counselors to improve the pathway to the trades.