America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Melissa Cropper, President, Ohio Federation of Teachers | John Russo, Visiting scholar, Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the organizing wins at CCAD and the Pickerington Public Library. Cropper also talked about OFT’s efforts to organize other libraries in the state and the difficulty of winning a first contract in the private sector.

A visiting scholar at the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University, John Russo, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss contributing factors to the banner year for labor. He also discussed the impact of United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain and what the record contracts earned in 2023 could do for future negotiations.

Jon Schleuss, President, NewsGuild-CWA | Erik Skoog, President, Teamsters Local 320

The NewsGuild-CWA President, Jon Schleuss, returned to the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to provide an update on the strike at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Schleuss also discussed the busiest year for collective actions in the union’s history and how bargaining units like the Washington Post have utilized one and two-day strikes to their advantage in negotiations.

President of Teamsters Local 320, Erik Skoog, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the unanimously ratified contract between the city of Mound, Minn. and its Public Works members. Skoog also discussed his journey to becoming president of Local 320.

Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communication, American Legion | Rich Fiesta, Executive Director, 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 work done by accredited Service Officers and potential scams veterans could encounter. Stoffer also previewed an article in the January edition of the Legion Magazine. 

Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Director, Rich Fiesta, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the proposed fiscal commission to reduce national debt, why the Social Security program should be left out of proposals and the news around march-in rights on the prescription drug industry.

Maximillian Alvarez, Editor-in-Chief/Host, The Real News Network/Working People Podcast | Matt Biggs, President, IFPTE

Editor-in-Chief of The Real News Network and host of the Working People Podcast, Maximillian Alvarez, returned to the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his labor journey since his previous appearance. Alvarez also discussed the upcoming fundraiser his podcast will host for East Palestine, Ohio, residents impacted by the Norfolk Southern train derailment in early 2023.

Matt Biggs, International President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Union’s part in the banner year for the labor movement. Biggs also discussed spending bills in Congress and his part in a U.S. Senate hearing for artificial intelligence’s impact on National Defense and Homeland Security.

President, Texas AFT, Zeph Capo | Greg Leroy, Founder, Good Jobs First

Zeph Capo, President of the Texas American Federation of Teachers joined the America’s Workforce Union Podcast and discussed the Strive to Thrive Project, which found poor working conditions in the Texas public school systems. He also recapped the year that was for the Texas AFT in 2023 and looked ahead to 2024.

Good Jobs First Executive Director Greg Leroy appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and talked about how government tax subsidies often lead to the creation of low-quality jobs instead of good-paying union jobs. He also shed light on why datacenters do not benefit communities like people may think.

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director, CWA District 4 | Tony Cardwell, President, BMWED-IBT

Administrative Director for the Communication Workers of America District 4, Frank Mathews, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the neutrality agreement between Microsoft and the CWA. Mathews also discussed the work CWA has done with AI integrations in the workforce and the progress of the BEAD program.

Tony Cardwell, president of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the fight for paid sick leave in 2023. Cardwell also discussed the layoffs at Union Pacific and the joint funding efforts for high-speed rail projects.

General President, LIUNA, Brent Booker | Jacob Morrison, Co-Host, The Valley Labor Report

It's been eight months leading LIUNA for General President Brent Booker, and he joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss what 2023 has been like for him and the Union. Booker also discussed how LIUNA is ensuring workers stay working and what’s in store ni 2024 for the Union.

Jacob Morrison, Co-host of The Valley Labor Report, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the unprecedented growth his podcast has experienced in 2023. Morrison also discussed the impact the United Autoworkers organizing efforts have had on the South and his new position as President of the North Alabama Labor Council.

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown | Andrew Strom, Labor Lawyer

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the proposed Amtrak expansion in Ohio. Brown also discussed his work to maintain steel industry jobs in the United States.

Labor Lawyer Andrew Strom joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the decisions of the National Labor Relations Board in 2023 and how different interpretations of the National Labor Relations Act led to problems with the U.S. Supreme Court and the Board.

Scott Paul, President, AAM | Andrew Spar, President, FEA

President for the Alliance of American Manufacturing, Scott Paul, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the potential repeal of the Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China and potential issues with corporations. Paul also talked about the 2023 Made In America Holiday Gift Guide.

Andrew Spar, President of the Florida Education Association, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the impact of Senate Bill 256 in Florida. Spar also discussed FEA's work to ensure its membership is compliant and their plans for 2024.

Nina Turner, We Are Somebody, Founder | Estlin Hiller and Tavis Barton, Budtenders, Strawberry Fields United, Teamsters Local 413

Former Ohio State Senator and founder of We Are Somebody, Nina Turner, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her new pro-labor organization fighting for workers' rights and protections.

Estlin Hiller and Tavis Barton, Budtenders with Strawberry Fields United — and members of Teamsters Local 413 —- joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss becoming the first cannabis industry workers in Ohio to be unionized, issues with organizing and what anti-union threats they faced from their employer.