America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Joe Nantista, BMWED and Paul Slocomb, Blunt Slocomb, Ltd. | Jeff Bonior, AAM

Joe Nantista, Assistant General Chairman of the Unified System Division of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWED), a division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and Paul Slocomb, an attorney and Partner with Blunt Slocomb, Ltd., joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the tragic death by suicide of Philip Morgan, a BMWED member and Union Pacific employee, the upcoming Iowa Supreme Court hearing and a rally to support the case.

Jeff Bonior, a researcher and writer for the Alliance for American Manufacturing, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Wilson Sporting Goods' footballs, the significance of union labor in their production and the factory's expansion in Ada, Ohio.

Wendell Young, UFCW Local 1776 | Jon Schleuss, The NewsGuild-CWA

Wendell Young IV, President of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 Keystone State, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent unionization of Whole Foods workers in Philadelphia, the organizing process, the company’s anti-union tactics and the future of labor relations with the parent company, Amazon.

Jon Schleuss, President of The NewsGuild-Communication Workers of America, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the impact of recent changes to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the ongoing strike at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the impressive number of first contracts secured by The NewsGuild in 2024.

Tim Burga, OH AFL-CIO | Sara Kilpatrick, AAUP Ohio Conference

Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Democratic National Committee's new leadership, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's proposed budget and two anti-union bills under consideration in the Ohio Legislature.

Sara Kilpatrick, Executive Director of the Ohio Conference of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), joined America's Workforce Union Podcast to discuss the implications of Ohio Senate Bill 1 on academic freedom, its anti-union provisions and the broader political motivations behind the proposed legislation.

Lynn LaPlante, CFM 10-208 | Matt Biggs, IFPTE

Lynn LaPlante, a concert violinist and violist and member of the Chicago Federation of Musicians Local 10-208, joined the America's Workforce Union Podcast to share her journey in labor and how that has helped her make a difference in her community.

Matt Biggs, President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss pressing issues facing federal workers following the start of President Trump’s second term in office.

David Goldberg, CTA | Andrew Spar, FEA

David Goldberg, President of the California Teachers Association (CTA), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the concerns teachers in California's education system face and the union's efforts to address them.

Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar joined the America's Workforce Union Podcast to discuss the challenges teachers and students face with the state’s current education system and how labor can make a difference.

Les Leopold, The Labor Institute | Hannah Halbert, Policy Matters Ohio

Les Leopold, co-founder of The Labor Institute and author of Wall Street's War on Workers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the economic and political factors driving the working class away from the Democratic Party.

Hannah Halbert, Executive Director of Policy Matters Ohio, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent federal funding freeze and its potential impact on Ohio's economy and vulnerable populations.

Carlos Andrade, ABOC | Raymond Jackson, ATU Local 689

Carlos Andrade, Vice President of Government and Union Services at ABOC, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the importance of financial literacy for union apprentices. 

Raymond Jackson, President and Business Agent of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his experience with the Local Union and the impact of privatization on the transit industry.

Robert Camarillo, Oregon State BTC | Tom Buffenbarger

Robert Camarillo, Executive Secretary of the Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a recent executive order from Gov. Tina Kotek mandating Project Labor Agreements on certain state-funded construction projects.

Tom Buffenbarger, former International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to share his insights on the evolving landscape of labor rights and the challenges posed by the new Trump administration.

Anthony Abrantes and Cyndie Williams, Labor Lounge | Greg Regan, TTD

Anthony Abrantes, Assistant Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EASRCC), and Cyndie Williams, Executive Director of the Carpenter Contractor Trust (CCT), joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Labor Lounge podcast and its role in connecting members and union allies.

Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and shared his thoughts on the current national political landscape, the importance of infrastructure investment and the ongoing efforts to enhance safety and job creation in the industry.

Dennis Dougherty, Colorado AFL-CIO | Donnie Blatt, USW District 1

Dennis Dougherty, Executive Director of the Colorado AFL-CIO, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Worker Protection Act, a bill to change Colorado's unique and sometimes problematic labor law structure.

Donnie Blatt, Director of District 1 of the United Steelworkers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the implications of Michigan House Bill 4002, which aims to roll back critical worker protections.