America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Jody Calemine, AFL-CIO | Denise Specht, Education Minnesota

Denise Specht, President of Education Minnesota, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her experience working with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who was recently announced as Democratic Presidential nominee Kamala Harris’s running mate. Specht also discussed Education Minnesota and how she ended up joining the organization after getting her start in Texas.

Jody Calemine, the Director of Advocacy for the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss what happened on the Senate floor with the expansion to the Child Tax Credit. He also discussed the upcoming schedule for members of Congress and explained the impact Project 2025 could have on the American labor movement.

Richard Evans, IAM Veterans Services | Lucas Franco, LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Veterans Services Coordinator Richard Evans joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the formation of the IAM’s Veteran Services Department, the people who can help veterans file claims with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and some of the claims his department handles. 

Lucas Franco, Research Manager of Great Lakes Regional Organizing Committee for LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the decision by Democratic Party Presidential nominee Kamala Harris to select Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her Vice Presidential running mate.

Tim Burga, Ohio AFL-CIO | Michelle Wayne, IBEW Local 146

Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Citizens Not Politicians initiative to fix Ohio’s gerrymandered voting maps through a constitutional amendment. 

Michelle Wayne, Treasurer of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 146 in Central Illinois, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her journey in the trades. She also discussed the perceptions of women in the trades and why she created her union’s Women’s Committee.

Bryan Flannery, Anthem BCBS | John Samuelsen, TWU

Bryan Flannery, Director of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield's Labor and Trust division, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how Anthem is working to keep healthcare costs affordable and accessible for union members nationwide.

John Samuelsen, International President of the Transport Workers Union of America, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the long journey to getting Amtrak onboard service workers a historic wage increase and industry-leading paid parental leave in their recently ratified contract.

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

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to provide updates on multiple megaprojects in Central Ohio and how the construction boom will impact the infrastructure in the region. He also talked about the need to recruit future generations of tradespeople and how the Ohio State Fair plays a role.

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss why they endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris following President Joe Biden’s announcement that he’d be stepping down from his reelection campaign. Redmond also discussed the educational resources available to anyone seeking more information about the pro-labor stances of the candidates.

Tony Cardwell, BMWED-IBT | David Spero, PASS

Tony Cardwell, General President of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED-IBT) joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss two railway safety bills that could provide improvements for both workers and the communities surrounding railways. He also discussed the Brightline West High-Speed Rail Project and what it means for new union jobs in the rail industry.

David Spero, President of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss two contract negotiations with the Federal Aviation Administration, with one that has resulted in wins for his members. He also discussed a staffing problem in the industry that led to him being questioned during a hearing on Capitol Hill.

David Madland, Center for American Progress | Rich Fiesta, Alliance for Retired Americans

David Madland, Senior Fellow and Senior Adviser for the American Worker Project at the Center for American Progress, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the impact that legislation passed under the Biden-Harris administration has had on job creation and union growth.

In honor of the 59th Anniversary of the establishment of Medicare, Rich Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans joined the America’s Work Force Union to discuss the history of Medicare, past president’s impact on Medicare and new challenges.

Stephen Piercey, Teamsters Local 89, Riss Krull Amazon KCVG | Christine Johnson, UAW Local 2300

Stephen Piercey, Communications Director of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 89 and Riss Krull, a member of the Amazon KCVG organizing campaign, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the events that led workers at Amazon’s KCVG hub to go on a one-day Unfair Labor Practice strike during their organizing campaign.

Christine Johnson, President of the United Auto Workers Local 2300, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing negotiations between Cornell University and service and maintenance workers.

Scott Paul, AAM | Livia Shmavonian, Made in America Office, OMB

President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, Scott Paul, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the American-made clothing on display at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Paul also discussed the problem with some of the American flags being waved and flown by U.S. federal offices and the recently proposed Steel Modernization Act.

Livia Shmavonian, Director of the Made in America Office (MIAO) within the Office of Management and Budget of the White House, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the new department’s purpose. She also discussed the Biden-Harris Investing in America Agenda and improvements to the American supply chain and manufacturing industry.

Roxanne Brown, United Steelworkers | Adam Bradley, CancerNavigator

Roxanne Brown, United Steelworkers (USW) International Vice President At-Large, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to speak about the International’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for U.S. President and Made in America Week.

CancerNavigator Co-Founder Adam Bradley joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his organization’s mission to provide cancer support services to union members. He also spoke about the importance of detecting cancer early.