America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Jackie Townsend, Bricklayers ADC 1 | Greg Regan, TTD

Jackie Townsend, a member of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Administrative District Council 1 of Illinois (ADC 1) and bricklaying instructor with Paul Simon Job Corps, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about finding herself in the trowel trades and how the union has positively impacted her life. She also talked about the way that the BAC has helped her carve out a sense of belonging and what she’s doing to provide that to other people.

Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his recent testimony on public transit in America. Regan also discussed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) efforts to set a federal standard for worker protection against extreme temperatures and the positives from Solidarity Summer.

Jeff Stoffer, American Legion | Richard Fiesta, Alliance for Retired Americans

Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications for the American Legion, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. Stoffer also discussed the impact of the G.I. Bill and previewed an article from July’s edition of the Legion Magazine.

Rich Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the need for better retirement planning. He also discussed upcoming events focused on education for the November election and the Alliance’s Annual Congressional Voting Record.

Scott Paul, AAM | Pat Gallagher, NCALF

Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their recent report, SHOCKWAVES: The Ripple Effect of China’s Industrial Overcapacity on American Manufacturing and Factory Workers. Paul explained how the report is focused on raising awareness about the impact of excess goods and other bad trade practices from Chinese manufacturing companies. 

Pat Gallagher, president of the North Coast Area Labor Federation, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the costs unions pay to combat bad trade practices and how the labor federation is helping with the Ohio AFL-CIO election plans. He also talked about the efforts to end gerrymandering in the state.

Leonard Aguilar, Texas AFL-CIO | Grace Heffernan, NEO Workers Center

Leonard Aguilar, Secretary-Treasurer of the Texas AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss state legislation creating more problems for labor unions. He also talked about their work to ensure unions lead the renewable energy transition and the 2024 Women’s Summit in Austin.

Grace Heffernan, co-founder and contractor with the Northeast Ohio Worker Center, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss employer wage theft and some of the resources available for workers to recover lost wages from their employers.

Melissa Cropper, OFT | Isha Vij, Maven Clinic

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT-AFT), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to provide an end-of-the-2023-2024 school year recap. Cropper discussed an OFT survey that focused on the factors causing the state's teacher shortage. She also provided an update on recent organizing and contract wins for union members.

June is World Infertility Awareness Month, and in honor of that, Isha Vij, Vice President of Employer Growth at Maven Clinic, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how the organization is helping union members address fertility issues.

Bob Keefe, Environmental Entrepreneurs | Chris Albright, LIUNA Local 1058

Bob Keefe, Executive Director of Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the positive impact the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has made on manufacturing jobs in America. He also spoke about how unions can increase their membership during the clean energy boom through IRA-funded projects.

Chris Albright, a member of LIUNA Local 1058 and resident of East Palestine, Ohio, returned to America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the improvements to his health following the derailment, his new battle with his employer and what the recently announced settlement from Norfolk Southern means to him.

Andrew Strom, Labor Lawyer | Richard Mack Jr., Miller Cohen, P.L.C.

Andrew Strom, a labor lawyer and contributor to the OnLabor blog, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Starbucks case where seven Memphis employees who were leaders in an organizing campaign were fired.

Richard Mack Jr., a worker and union lawyer with Miller Cohen, P.L.C. in Detroit, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about a potential way forward for the UAW to still represent workers at the Mercedes-Benz in Alabama despite losing the union election.

Tim Drea, Illinois AFL-CIO | Jon Schleuss, The Newsguild-CWA

Tim Drea, President of the Illinois AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the pro-labor legislation passed during the Spring Legislative Session in Illinois. He shared details about the ban on captive audience meetings and the new child labor laws awaiting a signature from the Governor.

President of The NewsGuild-Communication Workers of America (TNG-CWA), Jon Schleuss, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the first contract with eight Tribune Publishing newsrooms after five years of negotiations. He also talked about AI in newsrooms and also provided an update on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Strike.

Reid Maki, Child Labor Coalition | Rich Jordan, Iron Workers Local 17

In honor of World Day Against Child Labor, Reid Maki, the director of child labor issues and coordinator of the Child Labor Coalition, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about his organization's work to end abusive child labor practices. He discussed some of the major violations over the past 18 months in America and how the CLC is educating legislators on proposed legislation that could improve the regulation of child labor.

Rich Jordan, Business Manager of Iron Workers Local 17 in Cleveland, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss hosting the recent Great Lakes District Council Apprentice Competition. He discussed the competition events, the next step for the two highest finishers and the purpose of the competition.

Frank Mathews, CWA District 4 | U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director of the Communication Workers of America District 4, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the start of District 4’s Conference in Detroit. Mathews talked about proposed legislation against tax breaks for companies that outsource work or anti-union efforts. He also discussed the first year under President Claude Cummings Jr.’s leadership and the upcoming Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action on June 13.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss collusion claims against U.S. oil companies and OPEC and its impact on American workers. He also discussed Chinese companies' efforts to slow the growth of the American solar industry and provided an update on the Nippon Steel acquisition of U.S. Steel.