America’s Work Force Union Podcast

TSA Under Pressure & Labor on the Ballot: Inside the Fight for Federal Workers and Ohio Leadership

Labor leadership isn’t just about the good days—it’s about holding the line when the pressure is at its peak. On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we’re looking at two different fronts where workers are standing their ground.

Segment 1: The Human Cost of the TSA Shutdown

We’re joined by Johnny Jones, Secretary-Treasurer of AFGE TSA Council 100. Jones pulls back the curtain on the severe financial and emotional strain placed on TSA officers during shutdown-related pay disruptions. From missed mortgages to the deteriorating morale at our nation's checkpoints, we discuss why restoring back pay isn't enough and how the union is fighting to protect collective bargaining rights in a climate of political dysfunction.

Segment 2: Leading from the Front in Ohio

In honor of Women’s History Month, we welcome back Davida Russell, Secretary-Treasurer of the North Coast Area Labor Federation. Russell discusses the growing trend of union members running for public office and the unique challenges they face in today’s digital political landscape. She offers a "field guide" for activists, emphasizing why worker-centered candidates must stay grounded in service to cut through the noise of modern campaigning.

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The Physical Side of AI: Why Data Center Growth is a Win for Mechanical Insulators

Artificial Intelligence might be living in the digital ether, but it’s built on a foundation of concrete, steel and highly specialized mechanical insulation.

On today’s episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we’re joined by Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT). Ielmini breaks down why the AI-driven data center boom is about much more than just faster processors—it’s a massive long-term driver for union construction.

We dive deep into:

• The "Chilled" Reality: Why AI servers require precision insulation to prevent moisture damage and catastrophic system failures.

• The Power Surge: How the demand for data is forcing a massive expansion of our power infrastructure, creating a "linked" construction cycle for the trades.

• Beyond the Boom: Why the industry is focused on long-term retention and high-quality apprenticeships to ensure this isn't just a "surge," but a career.

• Recruitment vs. Reality: Why the mechanical insulation trade is the perfect path for those who want a high-skill, high-wage career that can’t be automated.

Don’t just browse the cloud—learn who’s building it.

Silica Safety Milestones & The Defense Capacity Questions

The America’s Work Force Union Podcast tackles two of the most pressing issues facing the modern industrial landscape: the long-term health of construction workers and the strategic strength of our national defense.

• Segment 1: 10 Years of Silica Progress Lily Calderon, Health and Safety Director for the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC), joins us to mark the 10th anniversary of the OSHA silica rule. We discuss how the BAC turned a hidden hazard into a regulated standard, the importance of engineering controls like HEPA vacuums, and why "Table 1" guidance needs an update to reflect modern jobsite technology.

• Segment 2: Defense Capacity & The Skilled Labor Gap Retired IAM Union International President Tom Buffenbarger breaks down why massive defense budgets won’t fix production shortages without a skilled workforce. We explore the erosion of the industrial base, the critical need for apprenticeships in precision machining, and how artificial intelligence is reshaping aerospace manufacturing and strategic planning.

Beyond the Harness: How Ironworkers are Redefining Jobsite Safety and Mental Health

Safety isn't just about a checklist—it’s about a culture that protects the person, not just the project.

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we host a powerhouse panel from the Iron Workers Union and the Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT). Joining us are International President Kevin Bryenton, Director of Safety and Health Wayne Creasap, and IMPACT CEO Aaron Bast.

Together, they bridge the gap between the "old school" traditions of the 1980s and the high-tech, proactive safety standards of 2026.

Key topics discussed in this episode:

• The Evolution of Access: How mobile elevated work platforms changed the game for industrial jobsites and reduced high-risk climbing.

• Going "OSHA Plus": Why union contractors are now pushing beyond federal minimums to create stricter, safer internal tie-off policies.

• The Apprenticeship Blueprint: How the culture of "Safety, then Quality, then Production" is being baked into the next generation of Ironworkers.

• The Invisible Hazard: A candid look at the construction industry’s mental health crisis and why suicide prevention and substance misuse support are now core safety pillars.

• Proactive Prevention: Moving from "lagging indicators" (accidents that happened) to "upstream" planning to prevent hand injuries and falls before they occur.

Whether you're on the column or in the corner office, this episode is a masterclass in how labor-management partnerships are building a safer, more sustainable future for the trades.

Healthcare Advocacy & Transportation Safety: Tera Clizbe and Greg Regan

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we tackle the critical intersection of benefit access and public safety.

In Segment 1, Tera Clizbe, the first female chair of the Blue Cross Blue Shield National Labor Office Executive Board, discusses the evolution of labor-focused healthcare. She breaks down why strong benefits only matter if members can navigate the system, the rising urgency of mental health support, and how labor solidarity drives disaster response in hard-hit communities.

In Segment 2, Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department (TTD), AFL-CIO, joins us to discuss the legislative battles surrounding the Jones Act and aviation safety. Regan explains why suspending maritime standards won't fix fuel prices and calls for stronger safety reforms following the 2025 Potomac River midair collision. Plus, an update on protecting the Railroad Retirement Board's administrative capacity.

Veterans in the Trades and Protecting Social Security: Jeff Stoffer and Rich Fiesta

Today on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we tackle two critical issues facing the American workforce: the "benefit cliff" for veterans entering apprenticeships and the rising tide of AI-driven scams targeting Social Security recipients.

Segment 1: Jeff Stoffer (American Legion) Jeff Stoffer, Director of the American Legion’s Media and Communications Division, joins the show to discuss the April edition of The American Legion Magazine. We dive into the policy gaps in the GI Bill that make it harder for veterans to pursue union apprenticeships compared to traditional college degrees. We also explore the human side of reintegration and why the skilled trades offer a sense of mission that many veterans crave.

Segment 2: Rich Fiesta (Alliance for Retired Americans) Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Director Rich Fiesta discusses the dual threat of Social Security data security and sophisticated online fraud. From potential data mishandling at the SSA to AI-generated voice scams on social media, Fiesta breaks down how the Alliance is fighting for better accountability and providing retirees with the tools to "Stop the Scam."

What we discuss in this episode:

• The decline in GI Bill housing support for apprenticeship participants

• Why the skilled trades are a natural fit for military veterans

• The legal battle for Social Security data transparency

• How AI is making senior scams harder to detect

• The American Legion’s and the Alliance’s 2026 legislative priorities

Technical Expertise and Bold Leadership: Gay Henson on the IFPTE and Public Service

IFPTE Secretary-Treasurer Gay Henson joins the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her journey from nuclear safety at the TVA, the fight to protect federal expertise and the vital role of women in the 2026 labor movement.

On today’s episode, host Ed "Flash" Ferenc sits down with Gay Henson, a leader whose career bridges the gap between scientific precision and labor activism. From her start in applied health physics at the Tennessee Valley Authority to her current role as Secretary-Treasurer of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), Henson shares why "institutional memory" is the most valuable asset in public service.

In this episode, we discuss:

• From the Lab to the Local: How a background in radiation protection and nuclear safety shaped a leadership style rooted in accountability and safety.

• The Crisis of Expertise: Why the loss of scientists and engineers at agencies like NASA represents a threat to national innovation, public safety and long-term research.

• Defending the Contract: The strategies the IFPTE is using to protect collective bargaining rights and financial stability for federal workers.

• Leading Without Permission: Henson’s message for Women’s History Month on why women must lead with conviction, persistence and a refusal to accept imposed limits.

• The Power of Solidarity: Why unions remain the best vehicle for a collective voice in technical, professional and scientific workplaces.

Go Behind the Scenes of the Labor Movement Every victory starts with workers standing together. Subscribe to the America’s Work Force Union Podcast for daily interviews with the leaders and organizers building worker power across America.

Funding Fights & Classroom Mandates: Melissa Cropper on the Future of Ohio Schools

Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) President Melissa Cropper joins the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the legislative "power plays" targeting public education, the pushback against classroom mandates, and the latest union organizing victories across the state.

Host Ed "Flash" Ferenc welcomes Melissa Cropper back to the show for a deep dive into the 2026 legislative landscape in Columbus. As Ohio lawmakers propose new ways to centralize control over K-12 and higher education, Cropper explains why these moves threaten the very foundation of local public schools.

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

• The Funding Penalty (HB 671): Why a new proposal to withhold funds from districts that challenge the state in court is being viewed as an attack on local control.

• Higher Ed Under Pressure: A look at how colleges are being forced into "compliance certification" or risking their state support.

• The "Success Sequence" (SB 156): Why the OFT is opposing state-directed classroom messages that oversimplify the root causes of poverty.

• Organizing Momentum: Celebrating the first-contract victory for Delaware Public Library workers and an update on the resilient fight for workers’ rights at KIPP and Menlo charter schools.

• The Labor Perspective: Why real student success requires fully funded schools, family-sustaining wages and a seat at the table for educators.

Go Behind the Scenes of the Labor Movement. From the statehouse to the schoolhouse, hear how activists are fighting for a stronger future. Subscribe to the America’s Work Force Union Podcast for daily interviews with the leaders building worker power across America.

Building the Future of the Iron Workers and Helping Ironworkers Recover

Ironworkers Local 63 member Paul Goodrich joins the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the specialized role of architectural ironworkers, the importance of labor history in apprenticeship, and the growing movement to support recovery and mental health in the trades.

On today’s episode, host Ed "Flash" Ferenc sits down with Paul Goodrich, a member of Ironworkers Local 63 in Chicago. With experience as an ironworker, foreman, and teacher, Goodrich offers a deep dive into a trade that literally provides the "final look" of the Chicago skyline.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Art of the Finish: How Local 63 specializes in architectural and ornamental ironwork, from curtain wall systems to glass installations.

• Adapting to Innovation: How technology is changing man-hours on the job and why unions must organize aggressively around new construction methods.

• Teaching the Movement: Why Goodrich believes every apprentice needs to understand Chicago’s labor history—from the Haymarket era to modern collective action.

• Recovery and Resilience: A personal look at how union health benefits and peer support are helping trades workers navigate substance use and mental health challenges.

• The Union Foundation: Why the path to dignity, respect, and economic stability still runs through a union contract.

Go Behind the Scenes of the Labor Movement. Every victory at the bargaining table starts with workers standing together. Subscribe to the America’s Work Force Union Podcast for daily interviews with the leaders and organizers building worker power across America.

Building the Future: CWA’s Broadband Justice & the AFL-CIO’s AI Bill of Rights

Technology is reshaping the American workplace, but who decides the rules of engagement? In today's episode, we sit down with two major labor leaders to discuss how unions are ensuring workers aren't left behind by infrastructure shifts or digital automation.

Segment 1: Broadband Justice & Inclusive Leadership Frank Mathews, Administrative Director for CWA District 4, joins the show to discuss the union’s multi-front battle for broadband expansion. He highlights why high-speed internet is a 21st-century civil right and explains how CWA is cultivating a new generation of diverse leaders to meet these challenges. Mathews also shares a personal call to action for a fellow union brother’s family in need of a kidney donor.

Segment 2: Putting Workers First in the AI Revolution Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga breaks down the "Workers First" initiative on Artificial Intelligence. As the Ohio Statehouse begins debating AI legislation, Burga outlines the essential guardrails needed to prevent job displacement and algorithmic bias. From the rise of data centers in Ohio to the protection of collective bargaining in an automated age, learn why labor must have a seat at the table before the software is coded.

Listen in to hear about:

• The connection between inclusive leadership and union power.

• How CWA is mobilizing for Elias Manolis’s life-saving transplant.

• The "Workers First" framework for AI regulation in Ohio.

• Why data centers are a double-edged sword for local communities.