America’s Work Force Union Podcast

On the Frontlines: Ohio Firefighters’ Legislative Push & Maine Nurses’ Victory

Today, we bring you stories from the frontlines of labor advocacy, featuring leaders from the fire service and nursing who are fighting for safety, respect, and fair treatment.

Segment 1: Protecting Ohio’s Bravest (OAPFF) We are joined by Jon Harvey, President of the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters (OAPFF), and Steve Stein, the OAPFF Director of Governmental Affairs. They discuss the current legislative landscape in Ohio, the critical work being done to protect firefighter pensions and safety standards, and the importance of political action in maintaining the resources first responders need to save lives.

Segment 2: Nurses United in Maine (MSNA/NNU) In our second segment, we speak with Terry Caron, an RN at Northern Maine Medical Center (NMMC) and member of the Maine State Nurses Association (MSNA), an affiliate of National Nurses United (NNU). Terry shares the details of their recent battles at NMMC, including a decisive union recertification vote and a significant settlement following Department of Labor citations against the hospital. We discuss what this victory means for patient care, safe staffing, and the power of collective bargaining.

Links & Resources:

• OAPFF: [Link to OAPFF website]

• National Nurses United: [Link to NNU website]

Tags: #LaborRadio #OAPFF #Firefighters #UnionStrong #MSNA #NationalNursesUnited #Nurses #HealthcareHeroes #OhioLabor #MaineLabor #Solidarity

USW's Myles Sullivan on Strike History | DePaul's Youth Union Training

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we bridge the gap between labor’s historic battles and its future leaders.

Segment 1: The Strike That Changed Canadian Labor Law Myles Sullivan, International Secretary-Treasurer of the United Steelworkers (USW), joins the show to revisit a defining chapter in labor history: the 1941-42 Kirkland Lake gold miners’ strike. Sullivan explains how a "lost" strike in the frozen trenches of Northern Ontario eventually forced the government to mandate collective bargaining rights. He connects that legacy of resilience to modern struggles, including the fights at Local 6500 in Sudbury, and argues that member education and high union density remain the only true safeguards against concessions.

Segment 2: Training the Next Generation of Organizers Jessica Cook-Qurayshi, Director of DePaul University’s Labor Education Center (LEC), discusses how her team is turning labor education into a movement-building tool. She outlines the LEC’s "Labor Leadership Certificate" and advanced bargaining courses that teach members to cost contracts and write proposals. Cook-Qurayshi also details the Center’s massive youth initiative—including a collective-bargaining role-play that reaches 1,800 students—and explains why intergenerational training is critical to the survival of the labor movement.

Key Topics:

• Kirkland Lake 1941: How a miners' defeat sparked a legislative victory.

• USW History: The legacy of Leo Gerard and cross-border solidarity.

• Labor Education: DePaul’s certificate programs for stewards and officers.

• Youth Organizing: High school summer schools and internship programs.

Listen now to hear how the lessons of the past are shaping the organizers of the future.

Ohio’s Tax Repeal Danger & NewsGuild Organizing Surges

Introduction On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we look at two major battles for public resources and professional dignity. First, we examine a ballot measure in Ohio that could strip billions from local communities. Then, we look at a wave of union victories in newsrooms that are fighting to keep local journalism alive.

Segment 1: The High Cost of Repealing Ohio Property Taxes Frank Mathews, Administrative Director for CWA District 4, joins the show to issue a stark warning about a signature-gathering effort to eliminate property taxes in Ohio. While the pitch sounds appealing to homeowners, Mathews explains why the "fine print" could be disastrous for working families.

• The $20 Billion Hole: How eliminating property taxes removes the primary funding source for public schools, township roads, and police/fire departments.

• Who Really Pays: Why replacing this revenue would likely force massive hikes in sales and income taxes, shifting the burden onto lower- and middle-income workers.

• The Service Gap: The risk to essential services in townships that cannot levy income taxes.

Segment 2: Organizing Wins in Ohio & The Future of News NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss reports on a surge of momentum for newsroom workers, despite corporate consolidation and layoffs at national outlets like the Washington Post.

• Victory in Columbus: Journalists at the Columbus Dispatch and Newark Advocate have voted overwhelmingly to unionize, strengthening NewsGuild Local 1.

• Pittsburgh’s PAPER: How workers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette are building their own community-centered publication, the Pittsburgh Alliance for People-Empowered Reporting (PAPER), to bypass corporate gatekeepers.

• National Fight: The labor response to recent cuts at the Washington Post and why preserving newsroom jobs is a civic necessity.

Links & Resources

• Support Pittsburgh Journalists: Visit OurPaperNow.org

• Learn More About CWA District 4: CWA-Union.org

• Follow the NewsGuild: NewsGuild.org

• Listen to more episodes: AWF.LaborTools.com

Follow Us

• Twitter/X: @AWFUnionPodcast

• Facebook: @AWFUnionPodcast

Organizing DC’s Iconic Venues & The Battle for AI Guardrails | IATSE Local 22 & AFL-CIO

Two major labor stories define today’s episode: a historic organizing win at some of the nation’s most famous music venues and the national fight to set rules for Artificial Intelligence in the workplace.

First, Ryan Chavka, Business Agent for IATSE Local 22, joins the show to break down the massive union victory for concert production workers at The 9:30 Club, The Anthem, The Atlantis, and Lincoln Theatre. Chavka takes listeners inside the campaign, describing the “standing room only” meeting that started it all and explaining why scheduling predictability and respect—not just wages—drove the vote. He also discusses the challenges of the "overhire" system and what lies ahead as workers move toward bargaining their first contract.

Then, Jody Calemine, Director of Advocacy for the AFL-CIO, provides a critical legislative update from Capitol Hill. He details the bipartisan passage of the Protect America’s Workforce Act in the House, which aims to restore collective bargaining rights for federal workers, and outlines the strategy to overcome the Senate filibuster. Calemine also discusses the labor movement’s push for AI Guardrails, explaining why states must retain the power to regulate technology to protect worker privacy and job security.

Featured Guests:

• Ryan Chavka, Business Agent, IATSE Local 22

• Jody Calemine, Director of Advocacy, AFL-CIO

Hosted by: Ed "Flash" Ferenc

Building the "Silicon Valley of the Midwest" | AFL-CIO's Fred Redmond on Democracy

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we explore two sides of the labor movement: the massive physical build-out of American manufacturing and the political fight to protect democratic norms.

Segment 1: The "Silicon Valley of the Midwest" Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joins the show to deliver a status report on the region’s construction boom.

Hager details the progress at Intel’s $28 billion chip plant, where nearly 1,000 trades members are currently working, with hundreds more expected by summer. He also outlines how data center expansion (including a new Google campus) is driving a secondary boom in power generation and grid infrastructure.

• Key Stat: IBEW Local 683 received the most apprenticeship applications in its history this year.

• Looking Ahead: Hager announces that Tradeswomen Build Nations is coming to Columbus in 2028.

Segment 2: Labor’s New Resistance Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, returns to the podcast to discuss the high stakes facing working families in 2026.

Redmond argues that the labor movement must lead a renewed coalition to defend democracy against attacks on voting rights, immigrants, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Drawing parallels to the civil rights battles of the 1960s, Redmond explains why unions are partnering with faith leaders and civil rights organizations to fight back against a "class war" economy that benefits billionaires at the expense of workers.

Podcast Resources:

• Listen & Subscribe: https://awf.labortools.com/ 

• Learn more about the Columbus Building Trades: https://columbusconstruction.org/ 

• Learn more about the AFL-CIO: https://aflcio.org/

DreamWorks Remote workers & TED Workers Unionize | Iowa Rep. Dan Gosa on Labor in Politics

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we cover two major stories of workers building power—from the animation studios of Hollywood to the statehouse in Iowa.

Segment 1: The Organizing Wave in Animation DreamWorks Animation remote feature production workers and the production team behind the TED animated TV series have voted to unionize, joining The Animation Guild (IATSE Local 839) and the Editors Guild (IATSE Local 700).

Organizer Allison Smartt, TED: The Animated Series Color Coordinator Kelly Simmons, and Organizer Ben Speight join the show to discuss this major victory. They explain how the pandemic exposed a "zip code barrier" where remote workers were denied union protections simply for moving out of LA County. The group also discusses:

• The push to end the "two-tier" system that separates production staff from artists.
• Why establishing guardrails for Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a critical part of their fight.
• How industry consolidation is driving more workers to organize for job security.

Segment 2: Why Union Members Must Run for Office Dan Gosa, a third-generation member of Insulators Local 81 and current Iowa State Representative, joins the show to discuss his re-election campaign. Gosa serves as President of the Quad City Federation of Labor and brings a "kitchen-table" perspective to the legislature.

Gosa details the challenges facing Iowa’s working families, including the drastic cut to unemployment benefits (from 26 weeks down to 16) and the need for "Responsible Bidder" laws to track bad-actor contractors who misclassify workers. He argues that when union members sit at the decision-making table, they can stop policies that strip funding from essential local services and ensure working-class issues aren't treated as political games.

Podcast Resources:

• Listen & Subscribe: https://awf.labortools.com/ 
• Learn more about The Animation Guild: https://animationguild.org/
• Learn more about Insulators Local 81: https://local81insulators.com/

Young Workers March on D.C. & The “Good Jobs” Shortage | AFGE & Ironworkers Local 5

Two major labor stories from the nation’s capital dominate today’s episode.

First, Dr. Kendrick Roberson, National Vice President of AFGE, joins the show to preview the historic Young Worker March on Washington scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7. Roberson details why workers under 40 are mobilizing near the U.S. Capitol to demand a living wage and relief from the affordability crisis in housing and education. He also discusses the "representation gap"—why 77% of young workers support unions but only 7% are members—and plans to honor AFGE member Alex Pretti during the event.

Then, Ryan Marshall, organizer for Ironworkers Local 5, steps in to debunk the "skilled labor shortage" myth. He argues the construction industry isn't facing a worker shortage, but a shortage of good jobs. Marshall highlights the massive data center boom in Northern Virginia, the $48 million cost of worker misclassification in D.C., and why Local 5 is treating mental health and suicide prevention as critical jobsite safety issues.

Featured Guests:

• Dr. Kendrick Roberson, National VP, AFGE

• Ryan Marshall, Organizer, Ironworkers Local 5

Hosted by: Ed "Flash" Ferenc

 

East Palestine, Ohio After Three Years with Tony Cardwell & Ohio’s Labor Landscape with Tim Burga

Three years after the East Palestine derailment, rail safety reform remains stalled while derailments continue at a rate of roughly 1,000 per year. On today's episode, Tony Cardwell, President of the BMWED-IBT, joins the podcast to warn that the behaviors leading to the 2023 disaster are still embedded in the industry. He discusses why the AAR's lobbying has successfully watered down safety bills, the fight against "AI" waivers that would cut track inspections by 75%, and the dangers of a potential Norfolk Southern-Union Pacific consolidation.

Then, Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga joins the show to break down the real-world impact of the partial government shutdown on federal workers and public services. Burga also discusses the economic stakes of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the 12,000-15,000 Haitian residents in Springfield, Ohio, and outlines labor's strategy for the 2026 election cycle ahead of Ohio’s Feb. 4 filing deadline.

Featured Guests:

• Tony Cardwell, President, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED-IBT)

• Tim Burga, President, Ohio AFL-CIO

Episode Highlights:

• Rail Safety Stalled: Cardwell explains why 1,000 derailments a year are still "routine" in the U.S.

• Inspection Battles: BMWED's fight against waivers that would replace human inspectors with automation.

• Shutdown Fallout: Burga details how political instability in D.C. hits working families in Ohio.

• Springfield Workforce: The critical role of Haitian workers in local economic recovery.

• 2026 Election Watch: Inside the Ohio AFL-CIO's endorsement process and the "working-family scorecard."

Working for Free vs. The $8 Trillion Boom: The Shutdown Crisis & Billionaire Wealth

While federal workers are asked to keep the country running without a paycheck, the ultra-wealthy are seeing record-breaking gains. This episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast explores the stark divide between those keeping the lights on and those owning the assets.

First up: The partial government shutdown is back, and Matt Biggs, President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), joins us to expose the human cost of political dysfunction. Representing over 80,000 professionals—from rocket scientists at NASA to immigration judges—Biggs details the strain on "essential" employees who are reporting for duty while their pay is suspended.

• The "Essential" Trap: How the shutdown is disrupting critical work at the Department of Defense and stalling justice in immigration courts.

• Recruitment Crisis: Why chronic budget instability is driving skilled experts out of public service.

• Mobilizing for 2026: A look at IFPTE’s upcoming Legislative Advocacy Conference in D.C., where members will fight for stable funding and due process.

Then: As working families feel the squeeze of inflation and stalled wages, the billionaire class has hit a new stratosphere. Omar Ocampo, researcher at the Institute for Policy Studies, breaks down new data showing U.S. billionaire wealth has surged to $8.1 trillion.

• The Asset Gap: How stock market speculation is enriching the "centibillionaires" while the labor share of income shrinks.

• Wealth vs. Work: Why productivity gains aren't showing up in your paycheck.

• Taxing the Top: The state-level tax experiments that could finally fund public goods and reduce extreme inequality.

Listen now for a hard look at an economy where essential workers wait for back pay while billionaire wealth climbs by the trillions.

Manufacturing Crisis & Library Safety: The Fight for Worker Power in Ohio

From Legacy Auto to Public Libraries: A Midwest Labor Reality Check

In this packed episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we look at two very different sectors facing the same core issues: safety, job security, and the demand for a voice on the job.

Part 1: UAW Region 2B – Offshoring & The "Shell Game" UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green joins host Ed “Flash” Ferenc to discuss the accelerating manufacturing crisis in Ohio and Indiana.

• The Offshoring Threat: Why Conn-Selmer workers in Eastlake are facing a sudden closure threat while ownership allegedly moves work to China.

• The EV Shift: Why 1,300 layoffs at Ultium Cells in Lordstown are a warning sign for federal incentive rollbacks.

• Corporate Extraction: How hedge fund and private equity models are leaving small-town America "holding the bag."

Part 2: CML United – Library Workers Demand Safety & Fairness Organizers Rahaf Fares and Sabrina Juntunen break down the historic union drive at the Columbus Metropolitan Library.

• Safety First: The reality of 1.5-hour police response times and the call for consistent safety protocols across all branches.

• "Open to All" (Including Staff): Why library workers are seeking neutrality and a contract that addresses the unique needs of part-time staff and the impact of AI.

• The Momentum: How the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) is helping library workers win enforceable standards.