America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Jessica LaPointe, President AFGE Council 220 | Rick Miedema, Secretary-Treasurer, Teamsters Local 997

Jessica LaPointe, President of the American Federation of Government Employees Council 220, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to provide updates on the Social Security Administration’s staffing issues after a recent announcement that several offices will be shut down in 2024.

Rick Miedema, Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 997 in Fort Worth, Texas, returned to the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to update the situation with Molson Coors and Local 997’s contract negotiations. Miedema talked about the support they’ve received since going on strike and the call for a boycott of all Molson Coors products nationwide.

Melissa Cropper, President, OFT | James Cahill, VP, Labor and Trust Anthem, BCBS

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent first contract ratification at Equitas Health in Ohio. Cropper also spoke about an ongoing organizing campaign that is beginning its union election process, and a research group focusing on improving Teacher’s workplace stress.

James Cahill, Vice President of the Labor and Trust Department for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Taft-Hartley Trust Funds and how unions use the trusts to prevent shifting rising healthcare costs onto members.

Ed Hill, Jr.,Business Development Business Rep, IBEW | Jonathan Rigsby, Author/Crime Intelligence Analyst

Ed Hill, Jr., International Representative, Business Development for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 3rd District joined the America’s Workforce Union Podcast and discussed the importance of the PLA announced between the North American Building Trades Union (NABTU) and Equinor for the Empire Wind project off the coast of New York.

Author Jonathan Rigsby appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about his upcoming book Drive, which he wrote to outline the issues he’s faced as a part-time gig worker and what needs to be done to help drivers avoid being taken advantage of by ride-share companies.

Jared Cassity, Alternate National Legislative Director and Chief of Safety, SMART TD | Andrew Strom, Labor Lawyer

Jared Cassity, the Alternate National Legislative Director of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Transportation Division (SMART TD), joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the new ruling setting a minimum of two-person crews for all trains and discussed the everyday improvements that the Rail Safety Act could provide and how close he believes it is to passing. 

Labor Lawyer, Andrew Strom, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the upcoming Starbucks Corp. v. McKinney case before the U.S. Supreme Court that could impact the strength of the National Labor Relations Board.

Gary LaBarbera, President, NYSBCTC NYCBCTC | Len DiCosimo, Executive Secretary, North Shore AFL-CIO

Joining America’s Work Force Union Podcast, was Gary LaBarbera, who is the President of the Building and Construction Trades Council (BCTC) of Greater New York and the President of the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council. He discussed the PLAs that have been created for renewable energy projects in New York, including the recent Empire Wind project.

Executive-Secretary of the North Shore AFL-CIO, Len DiCosimo, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the efforts to obtain the signatures required to get the Ohio Citizens Redistricting Amendment on the November ballot.

Adam Keller, Co-Host of TVLR and Trustee for North Alabama Area Labor Council | Steven Overby, Business Manager, Insulators Local 69

Adam Keller, Co-Host of The Valley Labor Report and Trustee for the North Alabama Area Labor Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Alabama Senate Bill 231. Keller also discussed the recent outreach efforts he hosted with the Labor Council and a member of the Economic Policy Institute (EPI).

Steven Overby, Business Manager for the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 69, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the need to organize more members to meet the upcoming manpower demands. Overby also discussed the Project Labor Agreement for the Micron Plant in Idaho and a trio of upcoming projects demanding more members.

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director, CWA D4 | Dr. Steven Volk, Professor Emeritus of History, Oberlin College

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director for District 4 of the Communication Workers of America joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a letter from the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians-CWA about the importance of regulating AI. Mathews also discussed funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

Dr. Steven Volk, an Oberlin College Professor Emeritus of History, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about his recent op-ed article discussing the vilification of immigrant workers and the misrepresentation of workers who aren’t American-born.

Kim Kelly, Author and Labor Activist | Johnnie Kallas, Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois School of Labor and Employment Relations

A freelance labor journalist and author, Kim Kelly, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about her life as a freelance journalist and how she found herself covering the labor movement. Kelly also discussed her book Fight Like Hell and explained how she shares those stories with a younger generation.

Johnnie Kallas, an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois School of Labor and Employment Relations, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his recent move from the Cornell University ILR School to Illinois and his continued work on the ILR Labor Action Tracker. Kallas discussed the recently released 2023 edition of the tracker and some of the trends that were seen from the data.

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

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building Construction and Trades Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to give updates on the Intel plant project, the ground-breaking for a new water treatment plant and what he expects from Amazon’s purchase of more than 200 acres in Pickaway County, Ohio.

Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, Fred Redmond, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) conference he’s attending in Uruguay. Redmond discussed the lessons shared during the conference and the importance of nations working together to advance the global labor movement.

Peter Manikowski, President, PSRA | Adam Kaat, Author, Life on the Grocery Line

President of the Professional Soccer Referees Association, Peter Manikowski, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the new contract for members after the month-long lockout from the Professional Referee Organization. Manikowski discussed the public support from fans, coaches and the Major League Soccer Players Association. 

Adam Kaat, author of Life on the Grocery Line: A Frontline Experience in a Global Pandemic, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his book. Kaat discussed the experiences he wrote about and the poor treatment of grocery and retail workers throughout the pandemic.