America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Sonya Bohmann, Executive Director, CIASP | Erika Hughes, President, Central Alabama AFT

As part of our fourth day of Suicide Awareness Week programming, Executive Director of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention, Sonya Bohmann, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the goal and resources that CIASP provides for suicide awareness. 

President of the Central Alabama American Federation of Teachers, Erika Hughes, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to describe the growing issues with staffing in Alabama schools. Hughes also discussed the fight for proper, transparent funding and the anti-union actions in Mobile County.

Jamie Becker, Director of Health Promotion with the Laborer’s Health and Safety Fund of North America | Greg LeRoy, Executive Director, Good Jobs First

As part of our continued coverage of National Suicide Awareness Week, Director of Health Promotion for the Laborers Health and Safety Fund of North America, Jamie Becker, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the mental health initiatives and resources LIUNA provides for members. Becker also discussed the Health and Safety Fund and how adaptability is key for their mental health program.

Executive Director of Good Jobs First, Greg LeRoy, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about loopholes in the Inflation Reduction Act and the impact on the economy. LeRoy also talked about similarities to the loopholes found in the Clean Energy Savings For All Initiative and why the UAW’s negotiations are being impacted by them.

Chris Carlough, SMART MAP Program Coordinator, SMOHIT | Connor Tobin, Executive Director, USLPA

As part of our continued coverage of National Suicide Prevention Week, Chris Carlough, Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) MAP Program Coordinator with the Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the award-winning work being done to provide mental health support for members.

Executive Director for the United Soccer League Players Association, Connor Tobin, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast as part of our National Suicide Prevention Week coverage to talk about an innovative mental health program with Onrise Care for professional soccer players. Tobin also talked about the unique services offered and why the program is an improvement over team-issued sports psychologists.

Dr. Sally Specer-Thomas, Clinical Psychologist | Paul Capurso, NYC District Council of Carpenters, President

Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, noted psychologist, program trainer and speaker, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to begin our coverage of National Suicide Prevention Week and talk about Suicide Prevention Week and Mental Health Awareness. Dr. Sally also talked about improving awareness in the building trades and improving your Local union’s ability to help provide resources to those in need. 

President of the New York City District Council of Carpenters, Paul Capurso, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the events of Sept 11, 2001, from his first-hand experience. Capurso also discussed his work with the World Trade Center Health Monitoring Program and the importance of remembrance.

Ademola Oyefeso, United Food and Commercial Workers Union, International Vice President | Andrew Strom, Labor Lawyer

International Vice President and Director of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union’s Cannabis Division, Ademola Oyefeso, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about their success organizing in the Cannabis industry and the importance of organizing workers in a new industry.

Labor lawyer Andrew Strom joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent decision by the National Labor Relations Board in the case against CeMex. Strom explained the decision’s impact on organizing efforts and how it helps provide workers with a way to fight illegal activities by their employer.

John Russo, Visiting Scholar, Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University | Ileen DeVault, Labor Historian, Cornell ILR School

Visiting scholar at the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University, John Russo, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing negotiations between the UAW and Big Three auto manufacturers and how they can learn from auto plants in the Youngstown, Ohio region to help with the negotiations.

Labor historian and Professor with the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, Ileen DeVault, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the changing mentality of the Labor Movement among students. DeVault also discussed the ILR Labor Action Tracker and trends contributing to the “Hot Summer Labor.”

Renee Hersey, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Supervisory Economist | Dave Megenhardt, Executive Director, United Labor Agency

A supervisory economist for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Renee Hersey, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the process for documenting data and looked at 2023's preliminary findings for major work stoppages in America. Hersey also discussed the industries leading the way for stoppages and the number of workers involved.             

Executive Director of the United Labor Agency, Dave Megenhardt, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about a new educational program now available through the agency, the benefits it provides workers and the upcoming ULA UnSung Heroes Dinner.

Tim Burga, President, Ohio AFL-CIO | Dave Spero, National President, Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS)

President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, Tim Burga, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the annual State of Working Ohio report. Burga also talked about trends and issues in the workforce since the pandemic and the struggle to redistrict the state's voting maps.

National President for the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), Dave Spero, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the operations and work completed by his organization. Spero also discussed the Federal Aviation Agency’s issues with funding and staffing and their efforts to improve their workforce through an internship program.

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer, AFL-CIO | Margaret Poydock, Senior Policy Analyst and Government Affairs Specialist, EPI | Tom Buffenbarger, Independent Labor Voice

Secretary-Treasurer from the AFL-CIO, Fred Redmond, makes a special Labor Day appearance on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the “States of the Unions” address from AFL-CIO.

Senior Policy Analyst from the Economic Policy Institute, Margaret Poydock, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the increases in strikes, growth in public popularity of unions and the correlation between union membership and wage disparity.

Tom Buffenbarger, an independent labor voice, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the history of Labor Day and how a pen mishap created a mystery around the founder of the holiday.

Dave Arouca, National Legislative Director, TCU/IAM | Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, C/CO BCTC

Executive Secretary-Treasurer for the Colombus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Dorsey Hager, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about Google’s recent pledge of $1.7 billion in new construction. Hager also discussed efforts to ensure the building trades can handle manpower needs and the Davis-Bacon Act changes.

National Legislative Director for the Transportation Communications Union/International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Dave Arouca, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about rail safety under the Precision Scheduled Railroading model. Arouca also discussed the landmark hearing on freight commerce and the push for new railroad regulatory rules.