America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Ron Bieber, MI AFL-CIO | Tom Buffenbarger

Ron Bieber, President of the Michigan AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the restoration of collective bargaining rights for home health care workers in the state. He also discussed battling child labor violations in the state and how Ohio’s State Issue 1 is similar to Michigan's first step to repeal so-called “Right-to-Work” laws.

Tom Buffenbarger, retired president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the tentative agreement between Boeing and Machinists in Washington state.

Tim Smith, UAW Region 8 | Brian Poindexter, Iron Workers Local 17

Tim Smith, Director of Region 8 of the United Auto Workers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to give an update on the first contract negotiations at the Volkswagen plant in Tennessee. He also discussed issues with Stellantis and what led some members of UAW Local 129 to go on strike.

Brian Poindexter, a Brook Park City Councilman and Iron Workers Local 17 member, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a proposed domed stadium project for the Cleveland Browns in Brook Park, Ohio, and the new union construction jobs the project could create.

Jeff Stoffer, American Legion | Rich Fiesta, Alliance for Retired Americans

Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications for the American Legion, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the November edition of The American Legion Magazine. He also spoke about the 70th anniversary of Veterans Day.

Rich Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA) and urged for changes to the method to calculate it. He also addressed how the Alliance is spreading the word about their endorsed candidates ahead of November’s General Election.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown | Jamie Becker, LHSFNA

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and talked about the threat posed by the Chinese evading tariffs, reasons to prohibit China from dumping electrical vehicles in the U.S. and the Workers for Sherrod coalition.

Jamie Becker, Director of Health Promotion for the Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund of North America (LHSFNA), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about National Drug Take Back Day, peer support programs and the Laborers’ Escaping Addiction Now (LEAN) program.

 

Bryce Covert, The Nation | Kenneth Rapoza, Coalition for a Prosperous America | Marcus Mattox, BuilderFax

Bryce Covert, contributing writer for The Nation, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about her recent article, “Tesla’s Toxic Culture Has Spread to Its New Plant in Austin.”

Kenneth Rapoza, Coalition for a Prosperous America Industry Analyst, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and talked about his latest article, “These Ten U.S. Companies Are Overexposed To China.”

Marcus Mattox, Vice President of Growth for BuilderFax, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and talked about their app and how it can benefit construction workers and training centers.

Melissa Cropper, OFT | Tim Drea, IL AFL-CIO

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Votes Bus Tour. She also talked about a contract fight between the Lordstown Teachers Association and their school district, plus the potential impact of Ohio’s capital budget funds going to private schools.

Tim Drea, Illinois AFL-CIO President, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and talked about the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Union Miners Cemetery and the 2022 enshrinement of collective bargaining and organizing language into the Illinois State Constitution.

Noah Smith, Noahpinion | Jody Calemine, AFL-CIO

Noah Smith, who writes the Noahpinion Substack blog, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his article, “Let us pause to appreciate the remarkable U.S. economy.”

Jody Calemine, AFL-CIO Director of Advocacy, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the effort by Congress to pass a Continuing Resolution to fund the government through the end of the year.

Charlotte Landes, Lucas Oberholtzer, Crooked Media Workers Union | Catherine Turcer, Common Cause Ohio | Joyce Goldstein, Joyce Goldstein and Associates

Charlotte Landes, Organizing and Bargaining Committee member, and Lucas Oberholtzer, Contract Team member, from the Crooked Media Workers Union, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a recently signed contract with Crooked Media that sets new industry standards.

Catherine Turcer, Executive Director for Common Cause Ohio, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about Issue 1 in Ohio, which is a ballot initiative to end gerrymandering. 

Joyce Goldstein, attorney at Joyce Goldstein and Associates, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the National Labor Relations Board, which has not delivered major rulings that favor workers and organized labor.

Adam Keller, The Valley Labor Report | Len DiCosimo, CFM, AFM

Adam Keller, Co-host of The Valley Labor Report, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the annual Alabama Arise meeting and how the Arise staff received voluntary recognition to become Communication Workers of America (CWA) members.

Len DiCosimo, President of the Cleveland Federation of Musicians, American Federation of Musicians Local 4, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about a successful organizing campaign of the Cleveland Institute of Music faculty, plus several events the Local will host in 2025.

Chris Mills Rodrigo, IPS | Mike Knisley, OSBCTC

Chris Mills Rodrigo, Institute for Policy Studies Managing Editor, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a report he authored called “Leveraging the CHIPS Program to create good jobs for all semiconductor workers.”

Mike Knisley, Secretary-Treasurer of the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the robust construction environment in the state, which he credits to good policy made in Washington, D.C.