America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Melissa Cropper, President, OFT-AFT | Jeff Bryant, Chief Correspondent, Our Schools

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and talked about Ohio’s August Special Election. She also spoke about a rally in Cincinnati with John Legend and Ohio’s student voucher program.

Chief Correspondent for Our Schools, Jeff Bryant, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed his recent article, “Right-Wing Indoctrination by Charter Schools at the Taxpayers’ Expense.” Bryant explained the work performed by Our Schools and his concern about the separation of Church and State.

Lee Harris, Journalist, American Prospect | Scott Chelette and Luke Edington, SMART-Transportation Division

Lee Harris, a journalist for the American Prospect, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the issues surrounding the construction of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s chip plant near Phoenix. She spoke about workplace safety issues and the projected financial support the company could receive from the federal government through the CHIPS Act.

International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers - Transportation Division General Chairpersons Scott Chelette and Luke Edington appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and talked about the addition of paid sick days to the Collective Bargaining Agreement of Union Pacific workers. They also spoke about their negotiation history with Union Pacific and the union’s next steps in the process.

Matt Yarnell, President, SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania | Joyce Goldstein, Labor Lawyer, Joyce Goldstein and Associates

Service Employees International Union Healthcare Pennsylvania President Matt Yarnell joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about a new law that updated staffing ratios for nursing homes in Pennsylvania. Yarnell also talked about prior staffing levels and where the implementation of the new law stands.

Joyce Goldstein, labor lawyer with Joyce Goldstein and Associates, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision concerning religious accommodations for an employee of the United States Postal Service. Goldstein then explained the impact of the decision and what it could mean for the labor movement.

Sean McGarvey| NABTU | President | Carly Coats | Children’s Law Center & UAW Local 2325 ALAA| Staff Attorney & Bargaining Committee Member

Sean McGarvey, President of the North American Building Trades, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the organization’s “Multi-City Highlight Tour,” and how it sheds light on the effort of Local Unions to recruit members of the underserved communities into the building trades. He also addressed the 12-day reconstruction of the Interstate-95 bridge in Philadelphia.

Carly Coats, Children’s Law Center and UAW Local 2325 ALAA Staff Attorney and Bargaining Committee Member, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and announced that CLC employees have gone on strike after management’s refusal to negotiate in good faith on an initial Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Adam Keller, Co-Host, The Valley Labor Report | Dave Megenhardt, Executive Director, United Labor Agency

Adam Keller, the Co-Host of The Valley Labor Report, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about their coverage of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and UPS negotiations. Keller also gave an update on the Atlanta Opera hair and makeup artists and the report from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees on artificial intelligence and the core principles for the application of the technology.

Executive Director of the United Labor Agency, Dave Megenhardt, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their upcoming learning program through Coursera. Megenhardt also talked about the ongoing work by several Cleveland organizations to improve access to the trades for at-risk communities in the area.

Tim Burga, President, Ohio AFL-CIO | Frank Mathews, Administrative Director, CWA District 4

Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about Ohio’s special election in August. Burga also talked about the coalition working to educate Ohio citizens on the ballot issue and shared his thoughts on the approved budget for Ohio.

Administrative director for District 4 of the Communication Workers of America, Frank Mathews, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the CWA Convention in St. Louis. Mathews also discussed Ohio’s special election in August and the news that President Joe Biden will extend access to high-speed internet to all Americans.

Rick Bauer, Director, Teamsters Pipeline Division | Glenn Di Biasi, Fund Administrator, UFCW National Health & Welfare Fund

Rick Bauer, Director of the Teamsters Pipeline Division, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the new contract agreement for the mainline pipeline workers. Bauer also talked about new projects for pipeline workers and the importance of the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

Administrator for the United Food and Commercial Workers National Health and Welfare Fund, Glenn Di Biasi, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the impact of artificial intelligence in the health and welfare industry. Di Biasi also discussed new AI uses in the higher education industry and how he thinks the government should regulate AI.

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, C/CO BCTC | Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer, AFL-CIO

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building Constructions and Trades Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Amazon's announcement to increase its original investment in the region. Hager also discussed local unions are working to grow their workforce and a special election in August in Ohio.

Secretary-Treasurer for the AFL-CIO, Fred Redmond, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the year since he was elected to his current position. Redmond also discussed the state of President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan and the 130th anniversary of the Battle of Homestead.

James Shillitto, UWUA Local 1-2, President | Jacob Morrison, Co-host, The Valley Labor Report

James Shillitto, President of the Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2 in New York City, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the landmark agreement with Attentive Energy One. Shillitto also talked about the new training program and upgrades the agreement will provide.

The Co-host of The Valley Labor Report, Jacob Morrison, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the union vote at Aerojet Rocketdyne in Huntsville, Ala. Morrison also talked about a fundraising pop-up concert following the surprise closing of a coffee shop in Birmingham, Ala.

Brett Large, Business Manager, Heat and Frost Insulators Local 19 | Donna Winston, Labor Management Relations-Vice President, AFGE Local C220

Brett Large, the Heat and Frost Insulators Local 19 business manager, joined the America’s Work Force Union podcast and discussed the new methods his Local uses to grow their apprenticeship program. Large also talked about the first “Senior Signing Day” and the Local’s first female apprentice to compete in the Insulators Master Apprenticeship Competition in Houston. 

Labor Management Relations- Vice President of the American Federation of Government Employees Local C220, Donna Winston, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and talked about understaffing issues with the Social Security Administration. Winston also discussed the causes of the high turnover rate with new employees and what could be done to improve the situation.