America’s Work Force Union Podcast

D.C. Nurses Fight Wage Theft, Understaffing and Management Failures at MedStar

Lily Epstein of National Nurses United joins the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to detail the high-stakes battle at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. What began as contract negotiations quickly shifted when nurses uncovered systemic payroll errors, missed-break pay violations and delayed compensation.

Epstein explains how these wage-and-hour issues are inextricably linked to chronic understaffing and patient safety. She discusses the decision to involve the D.C. Attorney General, the challenges of working in high-acuity units and how the union provides the structure necessary to hold massive hospital systems accountable. From workplace violence protections to the impact of AI on nursing, this episode covers the frontline fight for respect, safety and fair pay in the nation's capital.

The Future of the Trowel Trades: Tim Driscoll on Infrastructure, AI and the Fight for Fairness

As we move through 2026, the stakes for the American worker have never been higher. International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craft Workers (BAC) President Timothy J. Driscoll joins the America’s Work Force Union Podcast for a deep dive into the shifting landscape of the construction industry.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Infrastructure Gap: Why scaling back federal investment is a "quality of life" threat for American communities.

• The Misclassification Epidemic: How "low-road" employers are using the independent contractor loophole to strip benefits from 2 million workers.

• Technology vs. Craftsmanship: From laser screeds to AI, how the BAC is ensuring technology empowers workers rather than replacing them.

• A Legacy of Inclusion: Why the union's immigrant roots are the key to its future growth.

Don't miss this essential look at how one of America's most storied unions is adapting to a high-tech, high-stakes economy.

Building Worker Power: California’s AI Fight & Ohio’s Election Ground Game

Two powerhouses of the American labor movement join the America’s Work Force Union Podcast today to discuss the evolving strategy of the AFL-CIO in the nation’s most critical political and economic hubs.

Segment 1: Organizing and AI in the Golden State

Lorena Gonzalez, President of the California Federation of Labor Unions, joins us to explain why California is the nation's primary testing ground for worker-friendly legislation. Gonzalez breaks down:

• The Enforcement Gap: Why strong labor laws don't matter without accountability for wage theft and safety violations.

• Organizing at Scale: How the federation added 100,000 members last year through initiatives like the UnionizeCalifornia.org portal.

• The AI Frontline: Setting guardrails on technology to prevent surveillance and the "deskilling" of the workforce.

Segment 2: Mobilizing the Midwest and Honoring the Fallen

Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, provides a status report on the labor-to-labor outreach program as Ohio heads into a high-stakes primary. Burga discusses:

• The Path to Power: Supporting union members running for office and cutting through "big money" with direct, workplace leafleting and door-to-door canvassing.

• Political Energy: Why affordability and federal labor attacks are driving record-breaking engagement among Ohio union households.

• Workers Memorial Day: A look back at the 1940 Willow Grove mine disaster and why the fight for on-the-job safety remains a personal and professional priority for the federation.

Join the Fight

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From Survival to Stability: Liz Looper’s Journey into the Painters Union

“I was looking for a way to move beyond survival work and into something that could support a real future.”

Liz Looper spent years in the cycle of low-wage work, juggling the pressures of motherhood and constant financial uncertainty. She knew she needed a change, but like many, she didn’t realize the door to the skilled trades was wide open for her.

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Looper joins us to share her inspiring transition into a first-year apprenticeship with Painters District Council 30 (PDC 30) and the North Central Illinois Finishing Trades Institute (NCIFTI).

What we discuss in this episode:

• The Turning Point: How a simple social media post and support from Goodwill led Liz to a life-changing pre-apprenticeship program.

• Breaking Barriers: Liz’s experience entering a male-dominated field and finding a community of women already thriving in the trades.

• The Union Advantage: Why the "full package"—including livable wages, retirement security, and essential benefits like pregnancy leave—makes the IUPAT a game-changer for families.

• A Message to Others: Why it is never too late to start a career that provides a path to the middle class, regardless of your age or background.

Liz’s story is a powerful testament to the fact that with persistence, the right training, and union support, a stable and purposeful career is within reach.

The Real Truth About Ohio’s Hazmat Gaps with OAPFF President Jon Harvey

Three years after East Palestine, and just weeks after a major chlorine leak at a Washington Court House water plant required a multi-county response, a haunting question remains: Is Ohio actually prepared for the next big one?

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we sit down with Jon Harvey, President of the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters (OAPFF). While new state grants were recently announced, Harvey warns that a "check-the-box" approach to safety isn't enough. From the dangerous training gaps in rural counties to the need for a unified command structure that actually works in real-time, this is a raw look at the life-or-death stakes of hazardous materials response.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Rural/Urban Divide: Why today’s new legislative push for statewide ambulance coverage is only the first step in fixing a broken system.

• The "Pause" That Saves Lives: Why hazmat scenes require a different mindset than standard fire calls—and why "rushing in" can be a fatal mistake.

• Legislative Inertia: Why critical safety bills like the Michael Louis Palumbo Jr. Act take years to pass while risks grow every day.

• Recruitment Crisis: How the physical and emotional toll of the job is changing the face of the fire service in 2026.

Don’t miss this critical update on the safety of our communities and the men and women who protect them.

Ohio’s Data Center Boom & The National Fight for Economic Relief

The data center boom is reshaping the Midwest, while at the national level, workers are rising up to demand economic accountability.

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we tackle two defining fronts of the modern labor movement: the massive industrial build-out of digital infrastructure and the nationwide mobilization for affordability and representation.

Segment 1: Building the Digital Backbone of Ohio

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joins us to discuss the staggering scale of data center construction in the region.

• The Numbers: Why 20 million labor hours are just the beginning for the building trades.

• The Career Path: How IBEW Local 1105 and others are scaling apprenticeship programs to create six-figure careers without a college degree.

• The Community Impact: Addressing local concerns and why data centers are a long-term win for the middle class.

Segment 2: AFL-CIO Mobilizes for Economic Fairness

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, joins the program to discuss why workers are taking to the streets to demand relief from the rising cost of living.

• The Mobilization: Insights from the "No Kings Day" rallies and the disconnect between Washington policy and kitchen-table math.

• Voter Education: Why the AFL-CIO is treating the ballot box as a workplace safety and standards issue.

• A Historic Milestone: A look at Roxanne Brown’s rise to become the 10th International President of the United Steelworkers.

Whirlpool Layoffs: The Fight to Save Union Manufacturing in Amana, Iowa

Are the glory days of Midwest manufacturing being dismantled piece by piece?

Whirlpool’s latest job cuts in Amana, Iowa, are more than just business adjustments—they are a wake-up call for the American labor movement. In this episode, we sit down with IAM Union leaders and a 30-year plant veteran to discuss the steady erosion of one of Iowa’s most vital manufacturing hubs.

From a peak of 3,000 workers to well under 1,000 today, we explore how attrition, line removals and offshoring are hollowing out the community of Amana.

Inside this episode:

• The Reality of the Cuts: How 350+ recent layoffs are affecting local families and suppliers.
• The "Warehouse" Strategy: Why union leaders fear the plant is being transitioned away from production.
• Tax Incentives vs. Offshoring: A hard look at the $70 million in public support Whirlpool received while expanding production in Mexico.
• The Call for Accountability: What the IAM Union is doing to demand answers from elected officials.

Guests:

• Sam Cicinelli – IAM Union Midwest Territory General Vice President
• Todd “Kerry” Waddell – IAM Union District 6 Assisting Business Representative
• Sandy Freytag – IAM Union Member & 32-year Whirlpool Veteran

NTEU President Doreen Greenwald on the Crisis Facing Government Workers

The invisible machinery of the American government is under immense strain.

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, NTEU National President Doreen Greenwald joins us to pull back the curtain on the mounting crises facing federal employees. From the IRS to the border, federal agencies are battling a "perfect storm" of staffing freezes, buyout programs, and the recurring threat of government shutdowns.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The IRS Staffing Gap: Why the loss of 20,000 employees threatens tax fairness for every American.

• The Right to Organize: How NTEU is fighting back against legal attacks on collective bargaining and union contracts.

• Public Safety at Risk: The direct link between federal budget cuts and the integrity of our food safety, consumer protection, and border security.

• The Protect America’s Workforce Act: A look at the legislative push to safeguard worker rights in the federal sector.

Don’t miss this deep dive into why the fight for federal worker rights is actually a fight for the public services we all rely on.

Deep Sea Fishermen: Defending Union Jobs and Pacific Sustainability with James Johnson

In an industry where 90 percent of new workers quit within the first year, the Deep Sea Fishermen’s Union of the Pacific stands as a testament to the power of organized labor in the most extreme conditions.

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Executive Director James Johnson joins host Ed “Flash” Ferenc to pull back the curtain on the commercial fishing industry. Johnson explains why this Seattle-based organization is the oldest and only independent fishermen's union in the U.S. and how they’ve secured better pay and safer vessels for their members.

Topics Discussed:

• The Nordic Roots: How 19th-century Scandinavian fishermen built the foundation for Seattle’s fishing hub.

• Survival at Sea: The rigorous maritime training and safety standards that keep union members alive in a hazardous trade.

• Labor as Stewardship: Why protecting North Pacific fish stocks is a primary labor issue, not a secondary environmental one.

• The Market Threat: Why wild-caught seafood matters and the impact of climate change and Russian hatcheries on the local ecosystem.

AI Protections with SAG-AFTRA & "Food Is Medicine" Programs for Union Families

Is your digital identity safe? And is your health plan doing enough to keep you on the job? On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we’re tackling the two biggest frontiers in modern labor: Artificial Intelligence and Nutritional Health.

Segment 1: Protecting Your Likeness with SAG-AFTRA

First, we’re joined by Jeffrey Bennett, General Counsel for SAG-AFTRA. As AI "cloning" technology accelerates, the threat to performers and broadcasters is no longer science fiction—it’s a daily reality. Bennett breaks down:

• The NO FAKES Act: Why we need a federal "takedown" system for unauthorized digital replicas.

• Consent vs. Exploitation: The thin line between innovative tech and labor rights violations.

• 21st-Century Enforcement: Why 20th-century laws are failing to protect workers in the age of viral synthetic media.

Segment 2: Food Is Medicine—A New Frontier in Union Health

Later, we shift focus to the kitchen table. Merrilee Logue (National Labor Office) and Sarah Duggan Goldstein (BCBS Association) discuss why "Food Is Medicine" is the next big shift in union benefits. We dive into:

• Medically Tailored Support: The difference between "supportive groceries" and meals specifically designed for chronic disease management.

• Prescription Produce: How doctors are now "prescribing" healthy food to help union members stay healthy and avoid costly hospital stays.

• The Union Advantage: How local leaders can help members navigate these new, often underutilized benefits.