America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Dorsey Hager, C/COBCTC | John Paul Smith, 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 discuss Ohio’s political races, national election trends and their implications for labor.

On today’s episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, John Paul Smith, Executive Assistant to AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond, discussed his union journey, his perspective on recent political shifts and a historic milestone for the United Steelworkers.

Jackie Tate, Imogen Fox, AFSCME Local 88 | Merrilee Logue, NLO, David Yoder, BCBS FEP

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we were joined by Jackie Tate, President, and Imogen Fox, Bargaining Team Member, Steward, with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 88, representing Multnomah County employees in Portland, Ore They discussed the union’s current contract negotiations, key workplace challenges such as staffing, wages and trauma support, as well as the growing role and concerns surrounding artificial intelligence in the public sector.

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Merrilee Logue, Executive Director of the National Labor Office at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and David Yoder, Senior Vice President of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP) discussed FEP’s commitment to the federal workforce, the details of the current open enrollment period and what the premium adjustments mean for members in the coming year.

Paducah Professional Firefighters Local 168 | Dave Megenhardt, United Labor Agency

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Nathan Torian, President of Paducah Professional Firefighters Local 168, and Michael Hall, a firefighter and EMT, gave listeners a look into the strength, unity and heart of their union in Paducah, Ky. 

In this episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Dave Megenhardt, Executive Director of the United Labor Agency (ULA), joined the podcast to discuss recent difficulties brought on by federal budget cuts, the impact of the government shutdown and highlights from the annual Unsung Heroes Dinner.

Nick Weiner, Amer Dababneh, CWA | Tim Burga, Ohio AFL-CIO

In this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast Nick Weiner, Organizing Director for the Communications Workers of America (CWA), and Amer Dababneh, Senior Premier Banker at Wells Fargo in Pennsylvania, discussed their organizing efforts across multiple Wells Fargo branches.

As Ohioans head to the polls this Election Day, Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, reflects on the importance of local elections, union member participation in government, the challenges of redistricting and ongoing efforts to safeguard public pensions on this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast.

Jon Wentz, Wentz, McInerney, Peifer & Petroff, LLC | Justin Hubly, NAPE/AFSCME Local 61

On this episode of the America's Work Force Union Podcast, attorney Jon Wentz of Wentz, McInerney, Peifer & Petroff, LLC, discussed the ongoing conflict between Teamsters Local 284 and the Sutphen Corporation, a leading fire truck manufacturer based in Columbus, Ohio. 

Executive Director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees (NAPE/AFSCME Local 61), Justin Hubly, has helped revitalize union membership in Nebraska, which he discussed in his conversation on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast.

Scott Nelson, University of Georgia | Andy and Brian Nieweglowski, LIUNA Local 607

Scott Nelson, history professor at the University of Georgia and author of “Steel Driving Man: John Henry, the Untold Story of an American Legend,” revealed the true story behind the folk hero John Henry. He traced Henry’s journey from being a young convict in Virginia to his death as a steel-driving man building railroad tunnels in the aftermath of the Civil War. Nelson explained how the song “John Henry” became a powerful work chant, highlighted its roots in African burial traditions and shared the recent discovery of mass graves that proved the legend was grounded in tragic reality, with hundreds dying from workplace hazards such as acute silicosis.

Andy Nieweglowski, Director of Training, and Brian Nieweglowski, Manager in Training, at LIUNA Local 607 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, discussed their innovative efforts to recruit and retain women in the construction industry thanks to nearly $1 million in aid from the Ontario government’s Skills Development Fund. They detailed the union’s practical steps to remove barriers, such as providing childcare, transportation and tools for participants. They also shared the strong response to their women-only residential construction training program amidst high employment and growing demand for skilled workers.

Sarah Anderson, IPS | Elliot Encarnacion and Martha Kinsella, AGMA

Sarah Anderson, Global Economic Policy Director at the Institute for Policy Studies, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss IPS's latest report on CEO compensation at America's largest low-wage employers.

Elliot Encarnacion, Governor of the American Guild of Musical Artists, and Martha Kinsella, Regional Director and Counsel for the guild, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a newly ratified three-year collective bargaining agreement with Musica Sacra. 

David Cooper, EPI | Matt Biggs, IFPTE

David Cooper, Director of the Economic Analysis and Research Network at the Economic Policy Institute, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle worker protections across federal agencies, the elimination of minimum wage standards for domestic workers and federal contractors and the need for states to establish their own enforcement mechanisms.

Matt Biggs, President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing government shutdown's impact on federal workers, the union's legal challenges to executive orders stripping collective bargaining rights and the bipartisan legislative efforts to protect workers' rights.

Tom Buffenbarger, IAMAW | Barbara Robertson, AFSCME Local 1671

Tom Buffenbarger, former General President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing Boeing strike, nuclear security concerns amid the government shutdown and China's dominance in shipbuilding and manufacturing.

 

Barbara Robertson, member of Interpreters United (WFSE/AFSCME Local 1671), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the union’s efforts to secure fair compensation for their members in Washington State.

Greg Regan, TTD | Dave Spero, PASS National | Dante Woodson & Nick Coronado Teamsters Local 705

Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO (TTD), joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing government shutdown's impact on transportation workers, the strain on the transportation systems and the addition of the Elevator Constructors Union to the TTD.

Dave Spero, President of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing government shutdown's impact on aviation safety workers, the strain on air traffic control systems and the personal hardships faced by federal employees working without pay.

Dante Woodson, an International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 705 member, and Nicholas Coronado, union attorney, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing strike at Mouser Packaging Solutions in Chicago. They highlighted unsafe working conditions, the company's anti-union tactics and the fight for immigration protection language in their contract.