America’s Work Force Union Podcast

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.

Frank Mathews, CWA | Shane Wolfe, IBEW

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director for District 4 of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss which Presidential candidate and which Ohio Senate candidate will better support working Americans. 

Shane Wolfe, Business Manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 317, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the Local’s new training center and how it is already benefiting his members.

Steve Hicks, Teamsters | Jacob Morrison, North Alabama Area Labor Council

Steve Hicks, President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 283, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing 34-day Teamsters strike at the Marathon Petroleum refinery in Detroit and urged the public to boycott Marathon gas stations.

Jacob Morrison, President of the North Alabama Area Labor Council, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about American Federation of Government Employees member Michelle Watkins, who became the first black woman elected to Huntsville City Council. He also talked about a new job he is taking with the U.S. Department of Energy.

Dorsey Hager, C/CO BCTC | Fred Redmond, AFL-CIO

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer for the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council (C/CO BCTC), joined the America’s Workforce Union Podcast to discuss Intel's recent announcement that it was awarded two large contracts. Hager also spoke about the opportunities for workers that come with the expected growth of Central Ohio, which can be seen in the number of signatory contractors moving into the area.

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasure of the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his time at the 34th Biennial Ohio AFL-CIO Convention and the passion he witnessed at the gathering. He also talked about the port workers returning to work and remembered the late Bill Lucy.

Dr. Michael MacDonald, Birdsong Hearing | Dave Jamieson, HuffPost

Dr. Michael MacDonald, Director of Audiology for Birdsong Hearing Benefits, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the importance of hearing healthcare for working Americans, signs of hearing loss and how employers and health plans can help.

Dave Jamieson, the labor reporter for the HuffPost, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his recent article on the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) strike and provided insights into what he’s learned through his interviews and research.