America’s Work Force Union Podcast

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.

Ted Pappageorge, Culinary Workers Union Local 226 | U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown

Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer of the Culinary Union Local 226, joined the America’s Workforce Union Podcast to discuss the Las Vegas Strip going 100 percent union. He also discussed Station Casinos’ management on trial with the NLRB and concerns with taxing tips for certain workers.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his work in the Senate and what he’s done to help retirees and union members around the country.

Phil Mattara, Good Jobs First | Tim Burga, OH AFL-CIO

Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the state labor federation’s 34th Biennial Convention in Cleveland. He also discussed Maureen O’Connor’s work on Citizens Not Politicians and the importance of residents checking their voter registration before Ohio’s Oct. 7 deadline.

Phillip Mattera, Violation Tracker Project Director and Corporate Research Project Director with Good Jobs First, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a rise in child labor violations over the past decade and the organizations Violation Tracker.

Ashley Fueston, AFSCME WFSE | Wayne Creasup II, Iron Workers Union

Ashley Fueston, Vice President of the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) — American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees Council 28— joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Walkout for Washington and their tentative agreement for the 2025-2027 General Government contract.

On the final day of National Suicide Prevention Month, America’s Work Force Union Podcast welcomed back Wayne Creasup II, Director of Health and Safety for the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers. Creasup discussed what the union is doing to address rising suicide rates in the union and the mental health resources available to members. 

SkillsUSA Illinois | Randie Pearson, USW

Eric Hill, Executive Director of SkillsUSA Illinois, and Sean Fitzgerrel, Vice President of the AED Foundation, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a registered apprenticeship program for high school students to create more well-trained heavy machinery operators and the federal funding the program received from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Randie Pearson, the Director of the United Steelworkers Women of Steel, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the program and how it empowered her in the workplace. She also discussed the Raising the Bar campaign, and how it is helping to create safer workplaces.