America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Bill Samuel, Government Affairs Director, AFL-CIO | Mike Muzik, IBEW Local 38, President

Bill Samuel, AFL-CIO Government Affairs Director, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast on Thanksgiving Day and discussed the ongoing funding issues in Congress and what he plans to do to prevent bad policy.

President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 38, Mike Muzik, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and talked about volunteer work performed by the Local’s members to light up Public Square in downtown Cleveland for the holiday season. Muzik also talked about the increased number of apprentices in their registered apprenticeship program.

Legislative Political Coordinator, Joey Graceffo, Vice President, Bryan Johnson, AFGE Local 3283 | Business Manager for Ironworkers Local 550

Legislative Political Coordinator for AFGE Local 3283, Joey Graceffo, and Vice President of the Local, Bryan Johnson, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how the Local handled recent shutdown questions. They also discussed the increasing concerns about the future of AI in the workforce.

Business Manager for Ironworkers Local 550, William (Bill) Sherer II, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about his recent election victory to be the next Mayor of Canton, Ohio. Sherer also discussed what it will be like to take part in contract negotiations from the other side of the table, and the ongoing expansion efforts of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Village.

President, Ohio Federation of Teachers, Melissa Cropper | Special Assistant to the President, NABTU, Melissa Wells

President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, Melissa Cropper, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about Columbus’ designation as a workforce hub. Cropper also discussed the OFT’s ongoing battles with the Freedom Foundation and her concern for groups seeking to undermine the educational system in America.

Special Assistant to the President of North America's Building Trades Unions, Melissa Wells, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her work with the trades, the growth she’s seen since joining with NABTU and the upcoming Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference.

Director of the American Legion Media & Communications Division, Jeff Stoffer | Founding director of the Center for Study of Working Class Life at Stony Brook U, Michael Zweig

Director of the American Legion Media & Communications Division, Jeff Stoffer, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the cover story for the upcoming edition of the American Legion Magazine. Stoffer also discussed an interview with the Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Denis Richard McDonough.

Emeritus professor of economics and the founding director of the Center for Study of Working Class Life at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, Michael Zweig, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his book “Class, Race, and Gender: Challenging the Injuries and Divisions of Capitalism.”

Director of Education and Training, UA ITF, Ray Boyd | Executive Director, Rich Fiesta, Alliance for Retired Americans

Director of Education and Training with the United Association International Training Fund, Ray Boyd, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to close National Apprenticeship Week and talk about his journey in the Union, the importance the organizing team plays in growing membership, and the success he’s experienced in 2023 as part of his work with apprentices.

Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, Rich Fiesta, joined the show to discuss his concerns with Congress, the progress of several bills, and a warning about multiple candidates running for office in 2024.

UA VIP Program Manager, Mike Hazard | President of the North Shore AFL-CIO, Pat Gallagher

Program Manager for the United Association’s Veterans in Piping program, Mike Hazard, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about his journey to the VIP program. Hazard discussed the early days and struggles to get the program running and what the program offers to active-duty participants. 

President of the North Shore AFL-CIO, Pat Gallagher, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the confrontation in the U.S. Senate this week, a meeting between Ohio’s local AFL-CIO Federations  and he shared stories of his time with the late United Steelworker president, Tom Conway.

Executive Director John LeConche, and Assistant Director Bernadette Olivera-Rivera, LIUNA Training and Education Fund | Garrett Giglio, Training Coordinator, Insulators Local 53 JATC

Executive Director John LeConche, and Assistant Director Bernadette Olivera-Rivera, for the LIUNA Training and Education Fund, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast as a part of our coverage of National Apprenticeship Week to discuss LIUNA Advantage.

Newly appointed Training Coordinator for the Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 53 Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, Garrett Giglio, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the operation of the apprenticeship program and what he does for apprentices in the program.

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director, CWA District 4 | Dan Poteet, Business Manager, Insulator Local 50

Administrative Director for District 4 of the Communication Workers of America, Frank Mathews, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the largest federal call center strike in America. Mathews also discussed the pro-labor success during state elections in his district and his growing concern with Congress.

As a part of National Apprenticeship Week, the Business Manager for the Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, Dan Poteet, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how the apprenticeship program impacts the ongoing and upcoming work in Local 50’s Central Ohio jurisdiction and despite record membership growth, Local 50 needs more members to fill the expected workload over the next 5 years.

Sam Tafolla, Assistant National Administrator, Insulators IIIATF | Len DiCosimo, Executive Secretary of the North Shore AFL-CIO and President of the AFM Local 4

In honor of the beginning of National Apprenticeship Week, newly appointed Assistant National Administrator for the Insulators Union Insulation Industry International Apprentice and Training Fund, Sam Tafolla, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast. Tafolla talked about his journey with the Insulators and how he got involved with training. He also discussed new changes that will help modernize the union’s training programs across U.S. and Canada.

The Executive Secretary of the North Shore AFL-CIO and president of the American Federation of Musicians Local 4 in Cleveland, Len DiCosimo, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Cleveland Orchestra’s new contract and how AFM Local 4 is helping with the Unsung Heroes of the Labor Movement Dinner this week.

Will Attig, Veteran and Executive Director, Union Veterans Council | Sean Ellis, Veteran and Instructor with UA VIP

In honor of Veterans Day, veteran and executive secretary of the Union Veterans Council, Will Attig, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the Union Veterans Council, his experience with Helmets to Hardhats and opportunities available to veterans in the labor movement.

To cap off the Veterans Day episode for America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Sean Ellis joined the show to discuss his experience as a member and instructor for the United Association's Veterans in Piping program. Ellis also shared how the program helped shape his time after transitioning out of the Marines and continues to impact his life.