America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Jacqueline Simon, AFGE | James Glimco, Teamsters Local 777

Jacqueline Simon, Policy Director for the American Federation of Government Employees, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the AFGE National Convention and the potential impact Project 2025 could have on federal employees.

James Glimco, President of Teamsters Local 777 in Lyons, Ill., joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about organizing cannabis dispensaries in Chicagoland and why employees in the industry face working conditions similar to those found in startup companies.

Melissa Cropper, OFT | Jonathan Rosenblum and Ebony Echevarria Amazon Division IBT

Jonathan Rosenblum, a labor organizer, and Ebony Echevarria, an Amazon Delivery Driver, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss ongoing negotiations with Amazon and what the workers are trying to earn through a first contract.

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers and Vice President of the American Federation of Teachers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast from the Democratic National Convention. She discussed two new library organizing campaigns and a potential teacher’s strike in Lordstown, Ohio.

Sara Dorner, Rockford United Labor | Merrilee Logue, NLO, Duncan Lawson, BCBSA

Sara Dorner, President of Rockford United Labor, AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how unions can become more accessible to women and improve relationships with their local community.

Merrilee Logue, Executive Director of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield National Labor Office, and Duncan Lawson, Director of Market Intelligence for Government Programs for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the healthcare landscape and options available to union members as they approach retirement.

Jeff Stoffer, American Legion | Rich Fiesta, Alliance for Retired Americans

Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications for the American Legion, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the September edition of the American Legion Magazine. He also discussed the 2024 Military Life Cycle and Transition Summit. 

Rich Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and gave an update on prescription drug costs under the Inflation Reduction Act. Fiesta also discussed a letter from two U.S. Senators about the Social Security Fairness Act and the voting record for Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz, who previously served in Congress.

BJ Levy, CFM Local 10-208 | Joe Sebes, Parma Southwest Area C.O.P.E.

BJ Levy, President of the Chicago Federation of Musicians Local 10-208, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his Local’s unique history and how it was impacted by segregation. He also spoke about the 1942-44 Recording Strike and the union's efforts to organize hip-hop artists and electric dance music (EDM) disc jockeys (DJs).

Joe Sebes, Chairman of the Parma Southwest Area Committee of Political Education, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the organization and its fundraising efforts to highlight and support labor groups in Northeast Ohio.

Tim Church, Wondr Health | Cindy Brooks, Carpenters Local 237

Tim Church, MD, PhD, MPH and Chief Medical Officer for Wondr Health, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the assistance they provide unions and their members through positive health outcomes, quality of life improvements and cost savings.

Cindy Brooks, a fourth-year apprentice with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local Union 237 in Peoria, Ill., joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her work with the union and what she is doing to ensure more women are able to succeed in the trades. She also discussed the support she received from her union Brothers and Sisters while battling cancer.

Frank Mathews, CWA District 4 | Jane Flanagan, IL DOL

Administrative Director of the Communications Workers of America District 4, Frank Mathews, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the potential issues that could befall unions if Project 2025 were to be implemented and what the union is doing to educate members about the anti-union and anti-worker policies proposed in the conservative manifesto.

Jane Flanagan, Director of the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL), joined the Amerca’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Illinois's recent amendment to its child labor laws that will strengthen its regulations. She also spoke about enforcing regulations and a change to the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2023.

Stephanie Stachura, IBEW Local 134 | Allison Balanc, TradeFutures

Stephanie Stachura, Vice President of the Sisters of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134, based in Chicago, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how her educational degree has impacted the way she instructs members within the union. She also explained how she is helping women at her Local deal with the unique challenges they will face during their careers as members of Local 134.

Allison Balanc, Digital and Marketing Strategy Manager for TradesFutures, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss TradesFutures and how it helps develop, promote and improve Apprenticeship Readiness Programs (ARPs) nationwide.

Andrew Strom, OnLabor contributor and labor lawyer | Mike Dolan, former organizer and Teamsters lawyer and consultant for the Jane Fonda Climate PAC

Andrew Strom, OnLabor contributor and labor lawyer, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his recent blog, “What Will it Take to Sound the Alarm About Trump Judges?”

Mike Dolan, former organizer, Teamsters lawyer and consultant for the Jane Fonda Climate Political Action Committee, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about his work for the PAC and how California is leading the nation in the transition to green energy.

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.