America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Michael Murphy, President, AFGE Local 3448 | Frank Callahan, President, MBTU

President of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 3448, Michael Murphy, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a workplace safety issue that forced an office in Ohio to temporarily close. Murphy also discussed the staffing shortages at Social Security Administration offices, which has limited the ability to assist the public, and also led to an office shutdown in Warrensville Heights, Ohio. 

Frank Callahan, President of the Massachusetts Building Trades Unions (MBTU), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the upcoming work generated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and what it means for the building trades in the state. Callahan also talked about improving diversity among members and what it was like working with former Labor Secretary Marty Walsh.

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director, CWA D4 | John Nichols, Journalist, The Nation

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director of the Communication Workers of America District 4, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the potential end to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the plan’s possible extension.

John Nichols, a journalist with The Nation, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about his story about attacks on the National Labor Relations Act and the National Labor Relations Board for being unconstitutional.

Lyn Montgomery, Executive Council Member, TWU | Chris Lalevee, MAP Coordinator, IUOE Local 825

Lyn Montgomery, Transport Workers Union of America International Executive Council Member who served as lead negotiator and President for TWU Local 556 for the Transport Workers Union of America Local 556, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the new industry-leading contract ratified by flight attendants with Southwest Airlines.

Continuing our coverage of Mental Health Awareness Month, business agent and coordinator for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 Member Assistance Program (MAP), Chris Lalevee, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the work he’s done to create the program for Local 825 and promote mental health awareness among members.

Cathy Drummond, District 11 Director, USW | Andrew Strom, Labor Lawyer

As the Director of the United Steelworkers District 11 and the newly appointed lead for healthcare bargaining, Cathy Drummond discussed workplace hazards faced by nurses and healthcare workers on today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast as we celebrate National Nurses Week.

Andrew Strom, Labor Lawyer and contributing author to the OnLabor Blog, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent oral arguments the U.S. Supreme Court heard in the Starbucks Corp. v. McKinney case.

Liliana Calderon, Director of Health and Safety, BAC | Jacob Morrison and Connor Lewis, AFL-CIO

Liliana Calderon, Director of Health and Safety for the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about what the BAC is doing for OSHA’s Stand Down to Prevent Falls in Construction Week as well as some of the improvements she’s seen in workplace safety over her 17-year career.

Jacob Morrison, President of the North Alabama Area Labor Council, and Connor Lewis, President of the Seven Mountains Central Labor Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the Bargain Together campaign, their support efforts and what it could do for nationwide union solidarity.

Allison Smartt, Organizer, The Animation Guild | Tim Burga, President, AFL-CIO

Allison Smartt, an organizer with IATSE Local 839, known as The Animation Guild (TAG), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about recent organizing success with animators at Dreamworks Studios and dispelled some myths about workers in this type of creative industry.

Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the issues with the proposed legislation in HB 472. Burga also discussed the efforts to get a redistricting amendment on the November ballot.

Melissa Cropper, President, OFT | Jeff Worthington, President, Utah AFL-CIO

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about what can be done to show appreciation for teachers. Cropper also spoke about the funding of private school vouchers in Ohio and the FTC’s final rule on non-compete clauses.

Jeff Worthington, President of the Utah AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about Utah’s H.B. 285, the efforts by the state’s unions to defeat the bill and organizing in the state.

Justin Azbill, Director of National Environment, Health and Safety, Milwaukee Tool | Rich Danko and Paul Ribarchak, IW Local 3 | Senator Sherrod Brown

Justin Azbill, Director of National Environment, Health and Safety at Milwaukee Tool, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast as part of our continuing coverage of Mental Health Awareness Month. He started the conversation around Construction Safety Week and his work on safety and mental healthcare for construction industry workers.

As part of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s National Stand Down to Prevent Falls in Construction week, Rich Danko, Business Manager and Financial Secretary-Treasurer, and Paul Ribarchak, Apprenticeship Training Coordinator, from Ironworkers Local 3 in Pittsburgh, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss what they are doing in their apprenticeship program.

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, C/COBCTC | Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer, AFL-CIO

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer for the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the North American Building Trades Union Legislative Conference, getting more people into the trades and an update on the status of the Intel project. 

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer for the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their report, Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect, 2024. Redmond discussed the rise of workplace injuries involving minority workers and why there have been so many issues getting employers to provide proper protections for workers.

Sonya Bohmann, Executive Director, CIASP | Zack Tanner, President, Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh

Sonya Bohmann, Executive Director of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to continue our coverage of Mental Health Awareness Month. Bohmann discussed the proper ways to discuss mental health resources available to leaders and workers.

Zack Tanner, President of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh — a Local with The NewsGuild-Communication Workers of America — joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the announcement from Region 6 of the National Labor Relations Board that they would begin the process for seeking Injunctive Relief following the decision to dissolve by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 205.