America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Rachel Martinez, Chicago Climbing Union | Richard Mack, Miller Cohen, P.L.C.

Rachel Martinez, organizer and bargaining committee member for the Chicago Climbing Union, Workers United Local 513, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss unionization efforts in climbing gyms, safety concerns, gender disparities and the importance of collective bargaining in the climbing industry.

Richard Mack, a labor attorney with Miller Cohen, P.L.C., joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a notable federal ruling, the role of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and the broader implications of federal workforce reductions.

Jane Flanagan, IL DOL | Zach Schiller, Policy Matters Ohio

Jane Flanagan, Director of the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the state’s enhanced child labor laws, pay transparency requirements and a new mediation unit for wage disputes.

Zach Schiller, the Ohio Research Director for Policy Matters Ohio, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the impact of two decades of tax cuts, the potential consequences of further tax reductions and the importance of supporting public education over tax cuts for the wealthy.

Adam Keller, The Valley Labor Report | Marisa Richards, Painters DC 30

Adam Keller, Worker Power Campaign Director for Alabama Arise and co-host of the Valley Labor Report, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his new position, the importance of legislative advocacy and efforts to diversify union membership in the South.

Marisa Richards, Director of Outreach and Engagement for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 30, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her efforts in diversifying union membership, implementing effective sexual harassment policies and introducing the next generation to the trades at an early age.

Tim Burga, Ohio AFL-CIO | Jon Schleus, The NewsGuild-CWA

Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss federal workforce challenges, legislative threats to collective bargaining rights in Ohio, and ongoing efforts to protect workers' rights.

Jon Schleuss, President of The NewsGuild, Communications Workers of America (TNG-CWA) joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss efforts to restrict the press under the Trump administration, significant contract victories for media workers and organizing strategies within The NewsGuild.

Doreen Cannon, Plumbers Local 55 | Bob Funk, LaborLab

Doreen Cannon, retired member of Plumbers Local 55, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the upcoming Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council (CBCTC) Apprenticeship Career Fair, the recent Women in Construction Week dinner and the evolving landscape for women in the trades in the Cleveland area.

Bob Funk, founder of LaborLab, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the challenges posed by the Trump administration's labor policies, the tactics used by the union-busting industry and LaborLab's efforts to educate and support workers in organizing.

Dorsey Hager, C/COBCTC | Fred Redmond, AFL-CIO

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council (C/COBCTC), joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss workplace safety concerns, economic growth in central Ohio and political challenges facing workers.

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss issues facing the global labor movement, new AFL-CIO initiatives to support workers and the surge in union organizing efforts in response to challenges from legislators and corporations.

Eric Blanc, EWOC | Mandy Jo Ganieany, Painters DC 30

Eric Blanc, Assistant Professor of Labor Studies at Rutgers University and organizer with the Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee (EWOC), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his new book "We Are the Union: How Worker-to-Worker Organizing is Revitalizing Labor and Winning Big." 

Mandy Jo Ganieany, Director of Organizing for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 30, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her role in advancing women in construction, tackling labor shortages and the importance of union organizing.

Roushaunda Williams, UNITE HERE Local 1 | Dave Megenhardt, United Labor Agency

Roushaunda Williams, labor steward for UNITE HERE Local 1 in Chicago and a vice president on the Illinois AFL-CIO Executive Board, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast as part of our Women’s History Month coverage to discuss her journey from social work to union leadership, her efforts to combat sexual harassment in the hospitality industry and the impact of organized labor on workers' rights.

Dave Megenhardt, Executive Director of the United Labor Agency (ULA), joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss workforce development in Northeast Ohio, the potential impact of federal funding cuts and the challenges of transitioning workers into tech-driven jobs.

Emily Twarog, LEP Illinois | Jason Walsh, BlueGreen Alliance

Emily Twarog, Associate Professor of History and Labor Studies at the University of Illinois School of Labor and Employment Relations, Labor Education Program (LEP), joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss women's leadership in labor unions and her research on sexual harassment in the workplace.

Jason Walsh, Executive Director of the BlueGreen Alliance, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss ongoing threats to the federal workforce, the future of the Inflation Reduction Act and the potential impact legislative decisions could have on the CHIPS and Science Act.

Jennifer Frank, Insulators Local 17 | Darlene Glass, Cleveland Builds

Jennifer Frank, journeyman insulator and part-time instructor from the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 17 in the Chicagoland area, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her journey in the construction industry as a third-generation tradesman, the challenges she faced entering a male-dominated field and her role in training the next generation of Insulators.

Darlene Glass, Director of Training and Programming at Cleveland Builds, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her transition from healthcare to construction, Cleveland Builds’ efforts to diversify the workforce and the importance of pre-apprenticeship programs in opening doors for women and minorities in the trades.