America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Sarah Anderson, IPS | Elliot Encarnacion and Martha Kinsella, AGMA

Sarah Anderson, Global Economic Policy Director at the Institute for Policy Studies, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss IPS's latest report on CEO compensation at America's largest low-wage employers.

Elliot Encarnacion, Governor of the American Guild of Musical Artists, and Martha Kinsella, Regional Director and Counsel for the guild, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a newly ratified three-year collective bargaining agreement with Musica Sacra. 

David Cooper, EPI | Matt Biggs, IFPTE

David Cooper, Director of the Economic Analysis and Research Network at the Economic Policy Institute, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle worker protections across federal agencies, the elimination of minimum wage standards for domestic workers and federal contractors and the need for states to establish their own enforcement mechanisms.

Matt Biggs, President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing government shutdown's impact on federal workers, the union's legal challenges to executive orders stripping collective bargaining rights and the bipartisan legislative efforts to protect workers' rights.

Tom Buffenbarger, IAMAW | Barbara Robertson, AFSCME Local 1671

Tom Buffenbarger, former General President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing Boeing strike, nuclear security concerns amid the government shutdown and China's dominance in shipbuilding and manufacturing.

 

Barbara Robertson, member of Interpreters United (WFSE/AFSCME Local 1671), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the union’s efforts to secure fair compensation for their members in Washington State.

Greg Regan, TTD | Dave Spero, PASS National | Dante Woodson & Nick Coronado Teamsters Local 705

Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO (TTD), joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing government shutdown's impact on transportation workers, the strain on the transportation systems and the addition of the Elevator Constructors Union to the TTD.

Dave Spero, President of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing government shutdown's impact on aviation safety workers, the strain on air traffic control systems and the personal hardships faced by federal employees working without pay.

Dante Woodson, an International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 705 member, and Nicholas Coronado, union attorney, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing strike at Mouser Packaging Solutions in Chicago. They highlighted unsafe working conditions, the company's anti-union tactics and the fight for immigration protection language in their contract.

Alex Aguilar, LIUNA Local 724 | Donnie Blatt, USW District 1

Alex Aguilar, Secretary-Treasurer of LIUNA Local 724, the Hollywood Laborers Union, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing efforts to unionize production assistants in the entertainment industry.

 

Donnie Blatt, District 1 Director of the United Steelworkers, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss ongoing labor disputes at Libbey Glass, a tentative agreement at Matalis and upcoming contract negotiations in 2026.

 

Sandy Reding, NNU | Jana Blunt & Perry Siu & Paul Perryman, SEIU Local 1021

Sandy Reding, President of the California Nurses Association and Vice President of National Nurses United, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Medicaid cuts, collective bargaining rights for federal workers and immigration raids in hospitals.

 

Jana Blunt, field rep for SEIU Local 1021, along with bargaining team members Perry Siu and Paul Perryman, discussed their ongoing struggle for fair compensation in Novato, Calif., on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast. 

Pete Ielmini, LMCT | Frank Manzo, ILEPI

Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Trust, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act, the importance of trade shows for industry education and the critical role of proper insulation of mechanical insulation and firestopping materials.

Frank Manzo, Director of the Illinois Economic Policy Institute, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the impact of collective bargaining rights on union membership and wage growth.

Melissa Cropper, OFT | Randi Weingarten, AFT

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss crucial issues affecting Ohio educators.

 

Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her new book, "Why Fascists Fear Teachers."

Patrick Moran, President of AFSCME Maryland Council 3 | Matt Gunup, President of SEIU Local 580

Patrick Moran, President of AFSCME Maryland Council 3, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the impact federal budget cuts could have on Maryland's public services. Moran highlighted the ripple effects of federal job losses, the importance of union mobilization and the need for strategic pushback against anti-worker policies.

 

Matt Gunup, President of SEIU Local 580, discussed the alarming working conditions at the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Family Services building. Gunup highlighted the long-standing health issues, the state's plan to renew the lease and the upcoming public hearing to address these concerns.

Jeff Stouffer, AL | Lisa Cutler, ARA

Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications for the  American Legion, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing government shutdown's effects on veterans and military personnel.

 

Lisa Cutler, Director of Communications for the Alliance for Retired Americans, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the government shutdown's impact on Social Security beneficiaries and Medicare recipients.