America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Fedrick Ingram, Secretary-Treasurer, American Federation of Teachers | Maximillian Alvarez, Editor in Chief, The Real News Network

As a part of our Black History Month coverage, Fedrick Ingram, Secretary Treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his experiences with unions and how he got to his current position. Ingram also talked about the true significance of diversity in schools and Florida’s attack on public unions.

Editor in Chief for The Real News Network, Maximillian Alvarez, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the over 100-day strike at Homegrown Sustainable Sandwiches in Redmond, Washington. Alvarez also discussed the Justice For East Palestine Residents and Workers national campaign.

Scott Paul, President, Alliance of American Manufacturing | Andrew Strom, Labor Lawyer, LaborLab

The Alliance for American Manufacturing’s President, Scott Paul, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Bureau of Labor Statistics report on jobs in the manufacturing industry. Paul also discussed public funding for manufacturing and the national trade deficit.

Labor lawyer, Andrew Strom, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his article posted on the OnLabor Blog that outlines the impact Ronald Reagan’s National Labor Relations Board appointments have had on U.S. Labor law.

Darla Reed, Trainer, Insulators Local 50 | Richard Mack Jr., Partner, Miller Cohen PLC

International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50 Trainer Darla Reed, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her journey to becoming a Trainer and Foreman with Local 50. Reed also discussed her difficulties as a female apprentice and how the building trades work to provide women with a better career path.

Richard Mack Jr., a partner and labor lawyer at Miller Cohen, PLC — a law firm dedicated to serving workers and unions throughout Michigan — joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the impact the National Labor Relations Board’s Cemex Decision has had on organizing. Mack also discussed how he assisted union members during the Detroit bankruptcy proceedings in 2013.

Jason Walsh, Director, BlueGreen Alliance | Kelly Dierkes, President and business agent, Ironworkers Local 549

Executive Director of the BlueGreen Alliance, Jason Walsh, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his previous work with labor and the White House. Walsh also discussed the need for union jobs in the green energy transition and taking advantage of the targeted industrial policies coming out of Washington D.C.

President and Business agent from Iron Workers Local 549, Kelly Dierkes, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the amount of bridge work coming into the Northern Appalachia region from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Dierkes also discussed the importance of educating the public on unions and provided updates on legislation that could impact unions in West Virginia.

Tim Burga, President, Ohio AFL-CIO | Adam Keller, Co-Host, Valley Labor Report

Tim Burga, Ohio AFL-CIO President, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and detailed Ohio’s union density stats, an update on the “People not Politicians” campaign to fix the gerrymandered voting districts and updates from the state Senate. 

Adam Keller, Co-Host of the Valley Labor Report, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss organizing at Alabama Arise. Keller also discussed union density increases across the South and what to expect when the state legislature returns to session.

Ryan Durr and Tahlia Segura, Spokespersons, SAM VSO Union | Pat Hook, Business Manager, IBEW Local 683

Ryan Durr and Tahlia Segura, spokespeople for the Seattle Art Museum Visitor Security Officers Union (SAM VSO), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their journey to forming a union. They also spoke about the reason for being an independent union and some of the main issues they want to fix with a first contract.

Business Manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 683, Patrick Hook, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the updates to the Local 683 apprenticeship program and the new training methods taught at the training center to address the transition to green energy.

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 and Construction Trades Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the out-of-town construction manager hired for to oversee work at John Glenn Columbus International Airport that refuses to sign a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA).

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the kick-off events he’s attended to begin Black History Month. Redmond also discussed migrant workers and Liz Schuler’s Year of Labor 2023 article.

Eddie Hall, National President, BLET | Tim Smith, Director of Region 8, UAW

National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Eddie Hall, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the growing concerns with the rail industry one year after the tragic events in East Palestine, Ohio. Hall also discussed the impact Precision Railroading has had on the industry and what he believes needs to be done to improve railway safety.

Director of Region 8 in the United Autoworkers, Tim Smith, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing organizing campaigns at auto plants in the South. Smith outlined the workers’ desire to seek union representation and how the UAW has had a long-standing relationship with auto workers in the South.

Brian O’Donnell, President, UCA NJIT | Chris Rosell, Director of Organizing, Teamsters

Brian O’Donnell, President of the United Council for Academics at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the 18-month fight for new contracts with the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). O’Donnell talked about the delay tactics utilized by the university and how they received assistance from the Rutgers University union faculty and staff to earn their new contracts.

Director of Organizing for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chris Rosell, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the coalition of unions working to unionize the workforce at Delta Airlines. Rosell also discussed the UPS contract agreement and how the organizing team worked tirelessly to get members involved in the process.

Andrew Spar, President, FEA | Rob Monak, Director of Workforce Development and Organizing, Ironworkers Local 55

Andrew Spar, the President of the Florida Education Association, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the issues plaguing public sector unions in Florida. Spar also talked about the impact of Senate Bill 256 and an active campaign to decertify the United Teachers of Dade.

Director of Workforce Development and Organizing for Ironworkers Local 55 in Toledo, Ohio, Rob Monak, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the Local’s organizing success in 2023. Monak also talked about what it means to stay relevant in the region and the work outlook for the next few years.