America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Adam Keller, The Valley Labor Report | Hannah Regan, Case Western Reserve University

Adam Keller, Co-Host of The Valley Labor Report (TVLR) and a trustee with the North Alabama Area Labor Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about TVLR’s growth and summer plans, as well as and some of the labor coverage they are providing for Southern workers. He also talked about the work by the NAALC to reengage with regional workers and improve the voice of the working class in north Alabama.

Hannah Regan, Assistant Director for Research and Evaluation at Case Western Reserve University’s Flora Stone Mather Center for Women, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Black Women’s Equal Pay Day on July 9, and research into the growing wage gap for black women in non-union positions.

Frank Mathews, CWA D4 | Marcy Goldstein-Gelb, National COSH

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director of the Communications Workers of America District 4, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the union's recent Legislative-Political Conference. He also discussed their member action day on Capitol Hill and the union's impact on the BEAD program.

Marcy Goldstein-Gelb, Co-Chair of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (NCOSH), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s proposed heat rule.

Jody Calemine, Director of Advocacy, AFL-CIO | John Caneglio, President, Columbus Education Association

Jody Calemine, Director of Advocacy for the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his journey to his new position. Calemine discussed his previous work on labor policy with the CWA and what he will be trying to accomplish during this session of Congress.

John Coneglio, President of the Columbus Education Association (CEA), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent memo released by a Columbus City School Board member following public outcry against the board's school closure plan. He also talked about the history of relations between the school board and the union and what may happen next.

Dorsey Hager, C/CO BCTC | Fred Redmond, AFL-CIO

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council (C/CO BCTC), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Intel’s role in leading the construction boom in Central Ohio. He also talked about the need for improved infrastructure and how Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther has helped with the growth in the area.

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the past two years since he and President Liz Shuler were elected to lead the AFL-CIO. Redmond also discussed the union’s Legislative Scorecard and a new weekly labor news roundup.

Josh Ruyle and Matt Davis, Dignity Apparel | Scott Paul, AAM

Josh Ruyle and Matt Davis from Image Pointe and Dignity Apparel joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast this Fourth of July to discuss their union-made and American-made apparel and what it means to be USA-made and union-made.

Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss USA-made companies and reshoring the manufacturing industry this Independence Day.

Tim Ryan, Former Ohio Congressman | Sherrod Brown, U.S. Senate | Dave Megenhardt, ULA

Tim Ryan, Former Ohio Congressman and Co-Chair of Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the need for a common-sense approach to the clean energy transition. He talked about the stress new AI facilities and data centers will have on the existing energy grid and the need for union workers to ensure that the changes to the energy industry go smoothly.

Following U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown’s short discussion with our host, Dave Megenhardt, Executive Director of the United Labor Agency (ULA) in Cleveland, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss some of the changes made at the organization over the past 53 years.

Tim Burga, Ohio AFL-CIO | Richard Mack Jr., Miller Cohen, P.L.C.

Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about a recent labor roundtable tour he did with labor leaders around Ohio. Burga also talked about the end of the signature gathering stage for a proposed constitutional amendment in Ohio and what’s next for Citizens Not Politicians.

Richard Mack Jr., a union labor lawyer with Miller Cohen, P.L.C., joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the impact of the new overtime regulations and how the Chevron Deference being overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court could negatively impact unions and the working class.

Sam Petschulat and Vonda McDaniel, Music City Construction Careers | Karla Walter, CAP

On today’s America’s Work Force Union podcast, Music City Construction Careers (MC3) Executive Director Sam Petschulat and President Vonda McDaniel joined us to discuss how the organization is filling a gap for unions and helping introduce workers to the benefits of joining a union.

Karla Walter, Senior Fellow for Inclusive Economy with the Center for American Progress (CAP), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss why workers are winning a higher percentage of union elections when the National Labor Relations Board oversees the vote than at any point in the past 15 years. Walter also discussed how current policies are helping union victories and a potential problem on the horizon for organizing workers.

Mandy Jo Ganieany, IUPAT DC 30 | Robert Ford Jr., USW Local 2L

Mandy Jo Ganieany, the Organizing Director for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 30, which covers North Central Illinois and three counties in Wisconsin, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her experience as a woman in the trades. She also discussed why she became an organizer and a recent event to recruit more women into the trades. 

Robert Ford Jr., United Steelworkers Local 2L member in Akron, Ohio, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how the union has made a difference in his life and how he’s used those benefits to give back to the local community with Forever R Children.

Brent Booker, LIUNA | Merrilee Logue and Keisha Adams, NLO BCBSA

Brent Booker, General President of the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his first 14 months in charge of the union. He also discussed the new strategies the union will use on its March to One Million, including utilizing a new, state-of-the-art studio.

Merrilee Logue, Executive Director of the National Labor Office (NLO) at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), and Keisha Adams, Managing Director of Strategic Execution and Partnerships for BCBSA, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about their new partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of America to improve youth mental health care.