America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director, CWA District 4 | Glenn Di Biasi, Fund Administrator, UFCW Health and Welfare Fund

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director of the Communication Workers of America District 4, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Issue 1 in Ohio. Mathews also discussed the combined effort with the Ohio AFL-CIO to rally residents to get to the polls for the special election in August and a strike at Maximus.

Fund Administrator for the United Food and Commercial Workers Health and Welfare Fund Glenn Di Biasi, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the need for modernized healthcare benefits in labor unions. Di Biasi also discussed how labor unions are driving innovation within healthcare benefits and how health and wellness benefits are key to attracting and retaining union members.

Andy O’Brien, Communications Director, Maine AFL-CIO | Ember McCoy, Outgoing Vice President University of Michigan GEO

Communications Director of the Maine AFL-CIO Andy O’Brien, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Maine Legislation LD 1756 to ban captive audience meetings. O’Brien also talked about two other bills that will benefit union members and the progress to put strong labor standards and protections in place for offshore wind facilities.

Ember McCoy, Outgoing Vice President of the Graduate Employees Organization at the University of Michigan (AFT-MI 3550), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the graduate workers strike at the University of Michigan. McCoy also talked about creating a safe workplace and campus for graduate workers and allegations that the University’s administration forced its staff to commit academic fraud.

Sean Claffey, Director, Americonned | Joyce Goldstein, Labor Lawyer

Director of the documentary “Americonned”, Sean Claffey, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the story behind his film and what went into making it. Claffey also talked his main subject of Chris Smalls, and what his struggles have meant to the labor movement in America.

Labor lawyer Joyce Goldstein returned to the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent U.S. Court decision related to the Teamsters actions during a strike at Glacier Northwest. Goldstein also discussed how the High Court’s votes were distributed and what this decision might mean for future labor strikes.

Jon Schleuss, President, NewsGuild-CWA | Greg LeRoy, Executive Director, Good Jobs First

President of the NewsGuild-Communication Workers of America, Jon Schleuss joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss multiple newsroom strikes across the country. Schleuss also talked about the issues with the financialization business plan for newspapers and the successful contract negotiations for the New York Times.

Greg LeRoy, Executive Director of Good Jobs First joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about tax breaks given to Amazon across America. LeRoy also discussed the limited job creation that datacenters create and since chip plants are receiving subsidies from the U.S. Government, cities need to be careful when offering their own tax breaks to corporations.

Adam Keller, Co-Host, The Valley Labor Report | Christopher Martin, Professor and Author, University of Northern Iowa

Co-host of the Valley Labor Report, Adam Keller, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the battle for voting rights in Alabama. Keller also discussed the union busting activities in Bessemer, Ala. and weighed in on the artificial intelligence debates.

Christopher Martin, a journalism professor at the University of Northern Iowa, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about reports the retirement age may go up in the U.S. Martin also discussed why the American worker is killing themselves on the job and compared the reactions to increasing the retirement age in France and the United States.

Dan Glass, President/Principal Officer, Teamsters Local 332 | Tim Burga, President, Ohio AFL-CIO

Dan Glass, President and Principal Officer for Teamsters Local 332 joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his Local’s new contract with Alro Steel. Glass also talked about the new UPS contract negotiations and the Ascension Genesys RN CBA that will expire in May 2024.

President of the Ohio AFL-CIO Tim Burga, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the updates on Ohio State Issue 1 and the challenges created by having a special election in August.

Andrew Spar, President, Florida Education Association | Kathryn Bartlett-Mulvihill, President and Business Manager, OPEIU Local 39

Andrew Spar, President of the Florida Education Association joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing attacks on educators in Florida. Spar also talked about the increasing trend of banning books in schools, the growing pressure on school superintendents and how recent laws have forced public sector unions to reassess their position.

President and Business Manager of the Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 39, Kathryn Bartlett-Mulvihill, joined the America’s Work Force Radio Podcast to discuss the ongoing strike at Trustage. Bartlett-Mulvihill also highlighted the multiple stalling practices being used by the employer and what issues still remain unresolved in the bargaining process.

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Columbus-Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council | Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer, AFL-CIO

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus-Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the battle to change the percentage of votes required to pass a constitutional amendment in Ohio. He also gave an update on area projects, recruitment efforts, and the need for sustainable housing.

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the push by the Federation to get Julie Su confirmed as the U.S. Department of Labor Secretary. He also addressed an organizing campaign at Blue Bird in Georgia.

Bob Fisher, Deputy Director of the Airline Division, Teamsters | Jon Schoonover, Senior Vice President and Business Development Officer, Bank of Labor

Bob Fisher, Deputy Director of the Airline Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his recent appointment to his current post. He also discussed plans to grow the airline division and a unique approach to organizing one of the industry's largest operators.

Senior Vice President and Business Development Officer for the Bank of Labor, Joe Schoonover, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the 100-year history of the Bank of Labor. Schoonover also talked about efforts to help unions fund projects in local communities and how the Bank of Labor has stood strong through multiple financial disasters.

Dusty Christensen, Independent Investigative Reporter | Al Womble, Political Director, Iowa AFL-CIO

Independent investigative reporter, Dusty Christensen, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about his recent story on the marijuana industry, “Exploitation, Abuse, and Death: The Dark Side of Working in the Weed Industry.” Christensen further discussed the possible hazards workers face and their ongoing battle for union representation.

Political Director of the Iowa AFL-CIO Al Womble, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Gov. Kim Reynolds signing Senate File 542 into law. Womble then talked about what changes the new law creates for child labor in Iowa and possible confilict with federal labor laws.