America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Andrew Strom, Labor Lawyer | Richard Mack Jr., Miller Cohen, P.L.C.

Andrew Strom, a labor lawyer and contributor to the OnLabor blog, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Starbucks case where seven Memphis employees who were leaders in an organizing campaign were fired.

Richard Mack Jr., a worker and union lawyer with Miller Cohen, P.L.C. in Detroit, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about a potential way forward for the UAW to still represent workers at the Mercedes-Benz in Alabama despite losing the union election.

Tim Drea, Illinois AFL-CIO | Jon Schleuss, The Newsguild-CWA

Tim Drea, President of the Illinois AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the pro-labor legislation passed during the Spring Legislative Session in Illinois. He shared details about the ban on captive audience meetings and the new child labor laws awaiting a signature from the Governor.

President of The NewsGuild-Communication Workers of America (TNG-CWA), Jon Schleuss, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the first contract with eight Tribune Publishing newsrooms after five years of negotiations. He also talked about AI in newsrooms and also provided an update on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Strike.

Reid Maki, Child Labor Coalition | Rich Jordan, Iron Workers Local 17

In honor of World Day Against Child Labor, Reid Maki, the director of child labor issues and coordinator of the Child Labor Coalition, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about his organization's work to end abusive child labor practices. He discussed some of the major violations over the past 18 months in America and how the CLC is educating legislators on proposed legislation that could improve the regulation of child labor.

Rich Jordan, Business Manager of Iron Workers Local 17 in Cleveland, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss hosting the recent Great Lakes District Council Apprentice Competition. He discussed the competition events, the next step for the two highest finishers and the purpose of the competition.

Frank Mathews, CWA District 4 | U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director of the Communication Workers of America District 4, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the start of District 4’s Conference in Detroit. Mathews talked about proposed legislation against tax breaks for companies that outsource work or anti-union efforts. He also discussed the first year under President Claude Cummings Jr.’s leadership and the upcoming Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action on June 13.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss collusion claims against U.S. oil companies and OPEC and its impact on American workers. He also discussed Chinese companies' efforts to slow the growth of the American solar industry and provided an update on the Nippon Steel acquisition of U.S. Steel.

Jalen Alexander, SPWU | Fred Redmond, AFL-CIO

Jalen Alexander, President of the Social Policy Workers United — affiliated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 57 — joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the Unfair Labor Practice Strike currently underway by the 170 members of the SPWU. He discussed the history of the first contract efforts after negotiations began nearly two years ago and how what he called near-poverty wages for several workers are causing issues during negotiations.

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the Little Steel Strike that eventually led to the Republic Steel Massacre and how these events would lead to the formation of the United Steelworkers. Redmond also discussed a meeting to help modernize the AFL-CIO’s services to their member organizations, and a new web tool focused on further improving voter education.

Dorsey Hager, Columbus/Central Ohio BCTC | David Green, UAW Region 2B

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing efforts to secure a Community Benefits Agreement for the Columbus airport expansion. He also talked about the continued interest in bringing new technology projects to Central Ohio and a recent leaked memo causing a rift between a new Columbus City School Board member and Local unions.

David Green, Director of the United Auto Workers Region 2B, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the recent bargaining and organizing wins for members. Green also talked about the growing issues with Stellantis and members of Local 12 in Toledo, Ohio. Finally, he talked about several training classes and upcoming organizing drives.

Josh Phillips, Eberts & Harrison | Len Dicosimo, North Shore Federation of Labor and AFM Local 4

Josh Phillips, Director of Business Development for Eberts & Harrison, Inc., joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the difference their union-focused insurance company can make for union training centers and Local and International unions. He talked about the way the company works to provide the best policies to clients and even discussed a recent experience where their union shop was able to make a difference for a Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Len Dicosimo, President of the American Federation of Musicians Local 4 and the North Shore Federation of Labor, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent NLRB petition by faculty at the Cleveland Institute of Music for union representation from AFM Local 4. Dicosimo also discussed the summer Musical Rally schedule and the approval of a levy to support Cuyahoga Arts and Culture on the November ballot.

Adam Keller, The Valley Labor Report | Matt Rothchild

Adam Keller, Co-host of The Valley Labor Report, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about recent work they’ve done with Local unions and a fundraiser they’ll be co-hosting in the Huntsville, Ala. area. Keller also discussed some of the organizing victories in the South and what the North Alabama Area Labor Council is doing to educate high school students about the trades.

Matt Rothchild, former editor of the Progressive Magazine and former Executive Director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his new project with Civic Media. He also talked about the history of anti-union legislation in Wisconsin and what the state is doing to overturn the 2011 Wisconsin Act 10.

J. Albert Mann, Shift Happens | Tim Burga, Ohio AFL-CIO

J. Albert Mann, author of Shift Happens: The History of Labor in the United States, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about her newly released book, and how she was inspired to write about the history of the labor movement. Mann discussed why the book is written for Young Adults (YA) and how they can use it to help them prepare for entering the workforce.

President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, Tim Burga, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss why he’s meeting with leaders in the AFL-CIO, and an update on the Citizens, not Politicians effort to get a constitutional amendment on Ohio’s November ballot.

Ted Pappageorge, UNITE HERE, Culinary Union Local 226 | Andrew Spar, FEA

As part of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast's ongoing effort to share the issues unions face across the country, we featured portions of the May 23 press conference from UNITE HERE Culinary Workers Union Local 226 Secretary-Treasurer, Ted Pappageorge, where he discussed the ongoing negotiations with Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. He discussed the strike at the property held from May 10-12 and his thoughts on the progress of negotiations since the strike.

Following Andrew Spar’s most recent appearance on the show, today’s episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast features portions of a May 29 press conference, where Spar and several leaders within the Florida Education Association discuss funding for public schools and the increasing teacher and staff shortage across the state.