America’s Work Force Union Podcast

CWM Summit Panel featuring Alanna Marklund, Ben Bradshaw, Mike Hazard, James Pursell and Pete Ielmini

The America’s Work Force Union Podcast proudly sponsored a panel discussion held earlier this year at the Fourth Annual Construction Working Minds Summit in Dallas. The summit's purpose is to support mental health awareness in the building trades. To kick off Mental Health Awareness Month, today’s show features discussions from that panel, called Health Building Blocks for the Building Trades.

Panel guests included: 

• Alanna Marklund, Special Representative, United Association Canada
• Ben Bradshaw, Business Manager, UA Local 100 in Dallas
• Mike Hazard, Program Administrator, United Association Veterans in Piping Program
• Pete Ielmini, Executive Director, Mechanical Insulators LMCT
• James Pursell, Peer Support Specialist, Laborers LEAN STL 

Robert Peters, Illinois State Senator | Greg Regan, TTD

Illinois State Sen. Robert Peters joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about his journey into politics, Illinois' pro-worker legislation and efforts to prepare Illinois residents for careers in the trades.

Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the alarming rise in violence against transit workers, the urgent need for investment in air traffic control systems and the importance of fully funding the Maritime Security Program.

Jalen Alexander, SPWU | Tom Buffenbarger

Jalen Alexander, President of the Social Policy Workers United — affiliated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 57 — joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the impact of federal funding reductions on nonprofit workers and the importance of union solidarity during layoffs.

Tom Buffenbarger, former International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the impact of tariffs on the economy, challenges in the shipbuilding industry and the importance of maintaining worker safety standards.

Jill Manrique, Chicago Jobs With Justice | Tim Drea, Illinois AFL-CIO

Jill Manrique, Executive Director of Chicago Jobs with Justice, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Workers’ Memorial Day, immigrant worker rights and the upcoming May Day celebration in Chicago. 

This Workers’ Memorial Day, Tim Drea, President of the Illinois AFL-CIO, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the importance of worker safety, the impact of legislative efforts in Illinois and the role of unions in safeguarding labor rights.

Stacey Hofert, Progyny | Donnie Blatt, USW

Stacey Hofert, Group Vice President of Labor and Trust for Progyny, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss National Infertility Awareness Week, the prevalence of infertility and how Progyny, fertility, family building and women’s health benefits fund, addresses the issue.

Donnie Blatt, District 1 Director for the United Steelworkers (USW), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the USW Constitutional Convention, the impact of tariffs on the steel industry and the union's community outreach efforts.

Cathy Kennedy, National Nurses United | Merrilee Logue, BCBS NLO

Cathy Kennedy, a President of National Nurses United, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the potential impact of staffing cuts at Veterans Affairs hospitals, the urgent need for better legislation to prevent workplace violence and the push for Medicare for All.

Merrilee Logue, Executive Director of the National Labor Office at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss statistics related to cancer diagnoses, the importance of preventive care and screenings and a union’s role in supporting members through their cancer journeys.

Pete Ielmini, LMCT | Tyler Lefeber, Color Health, Maria Scheeler, Teamsters Philadelphia & Vicinity

Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the importance of firestopping, the progress of the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act and the role of unions in advancing firestopping and insulation initiatives.

Maria Scheeler, Fund Adminstrator for the Teamsters Health & Welfare and Pension Funds of Philadelphia and Vicinity, and Tyler Lefeber, Director of Labor & Trust Sales at Color Health, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss innovative approaches to cancer prevention and care for union members including early detection, comprehensive support and the evolving landscape of personalized healthcare.

Nick Yelverton, Springfield & Central Illinois Trades & Labor Council | Brad Asay, Utah AFL-CIO

Nick Yelverton, President of the Springfield and Central Illinois Trades and Labor Council and Legislative Director for the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his journey in union leadership, the significance of Workers Memorial Day and the current political climate affecting labor rights. 

Brad Asay, Vice President of the Utah AFL-CIO and President of the American Federation of Teachers in Utah, returned to the America's Work Force Union Podcast to update listeners on their fight against attacks on public sector collective bargaining rights, challenges faced by labor and the next steps in the fight.

Lynn Rhinehart, EPI and Lauren McFerren, The Century Foundation | Pat Gallagher, NCLF

Lynn Rhinehart, Senior Fellow at the Economic Policy Institute, and Lauren McFerren, Senior Fellow at The Century Foundation and former National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) chairman, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss threats to labor law and worker protections through the dismantling of federal agencies, attempts to invalidate NLRB decisions and what this means for workers' rights and union representation.

Pat Gallagher, President of the North Coast Area Labor Federation, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Utah's recent collective bargaining battle, his meeting with U.S. Congressmen Ro Khanna, and the Ohio AFL-CIO’s upcoming legislative conference.

Jeff Stoffer, American Legion | Rich 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 quality of life issues in the military, the politicization of the armed forces and upcoming 250th anniversary events for several of the U.S. military branches.

Rich Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a federal court decision temporarily halting the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) access to sensitive Social Security data and the staffing and service issues at the Social Security Administration. He also outlined the Alliance's nationwide efforts to protect retirees' benefits.