America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Bryan Flannery, Anthem BCBS | John Samuelsen, TWU

Bryan Flannery, Director of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield's Labor and Trust division, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how Anthem is working to keep healthcare costs affordable and accessible for union members nationwide.

John Samuelsen, International President of the Transport Workers Union of America, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the long journey to getting Amtrak onboard service workers a historic wage increase and industry-leading paid parental leave in their recently ratified contract.

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

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to provide updates on multiple megaprojects in Central Ohio and how the construction boom will impact the infrastructure in the region. He also talked about the need to recruit future generations of tradespeople and how the Ohio State Fair plays a role.

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss why they endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris following President Joe Biden’s announcement that he’d be stepping down from his reelection campaign. Redmond also discussed the educational resources available to anyone seeking more information about the pro-labor stances of the candidates.

Tony Cardwell, BMWED-IBT | David Spero, PASS

Tony Cardwell, General President of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED-IBT) joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss two railway safety bills that could provide improvements for both workers and the communities surrounding railways. He also discussed the Brightline West High-Speed Rail Project and what it means for new union jobs in the rail industry.

David Spero, President of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss two contract negotiations with the Federal Aviation Administration, with one that has resulted in wins for his members. He also discussed a staffing problem in the industry that led to him being questioned during a hearing on Capitol Hill.

David Madland, Center for American Progress | Rich Fiesta, Alliance for Retired Americans

David Madland, Senior Fellow and Senior Adviser for the American Worker Project at the Center for American Progress, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the impact that legislation passed under the Biden-Harris administration has had on job creation and union growth.

In honor of the 59th Anniversary of the establishment of Medicare, Rich Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans joined the America’s Work Force Union to discuss the history of Medicare, past president’s impact on Medicare and new challenges.

Stephen Piercey, Teamsters Local 89, Riss Krull Amazon KCVG | Christine Johnson, UAW Local 2300

Stephen Piercey, Communications Director of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 89 and Riss Krull, a member of the Amazon KCVG organizing campaign, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the events that led workers at Amazon’s KCVG hub to go on a one-day Unfair Labor Practice strike during their organizing campaign.

Christine Johnson, President of the United Auto Workers Local 2300, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing negotiations between Cornell University and service and maintenance workers.

Scott Paul, AAM | Livia Shmavonian, Made in America Office, OMB

President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, Scott Paul, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the American-made clothing on display at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Paul also discussed the problem with some of the American flags being waved and flown by U.S. federal offices and the recently proposed Steel Modernization Act.

Livia Shmavonian, Director of the Made in America Office (MIAO) within the Office of Management and Budget of the White House, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the new department’s purpose. She also discussed the Biden-Harris Investing in America Agenda and improvements to the American supply chain and manufacturing industry.

Roxanne Brown, United Steelworkers | Adam Bradley, CancerNavigator

Roxanne Brown, United Steelworkers (USW) International Vice President At-Large, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to speak about the International’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for U.S. President and Made in America Week.

CancerNavigator Co-Founder Adam Bradley joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his organization’s mission to provide cancer support services to union members. He also spoke about the importance of detecting cancer early.

Tim Smith, UAW Region 8 | Jon Schleuss, TNG-CWA

Tim Smith, Director of Region 8 of the United Auto Workers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss an organizing win at the Volkswagen plant in Tennessee. He also talked about the lessons learned during the Mercedes-Benz organizing campaign and other contract wins across Region 8.

President of The NewsGuild-CWA (TNG-CWA), Jon Schleuss, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss several recent first contracts and organizing victories at newsrooms and online publications across the country.

Rich Jones, Youturn Health, Matt Biggs IFPTE

Rich Jones, Co-founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Youturn Health, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how his organiziation helps workers address substance misuse and mental health concerns, especially withing the construction industry. He also discussed his personal experience with substance misuse and how he’s turned that experience into knowledge to get people the help they need.

Matt Biggs, President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the 61st Constitutional Convention that took place in New Orleans earlier this month. Biggs also talked about how the union is trying to improve the mental health of members and their efforts to educate members on candidates in the November election.

Kirk Samuelson, BuilderFax | Tom Buffenbarger, Retired Machinist International President

Kirk Samuelson, founder of BuilderFax, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how his 45-year career in the construction industry led him to seek a solution to recruiting and developing a new generation of tradespeople using technology.  

The America’s Work Force Union Podcast’s independent labor voice and retired International President of the International Association of Machists and Allied Workers, Tom Buffenbarger, discussed the new updates from Boeing and also looks back at his time working with President Joe Biden.