America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Darryll Bell, President, AFGE Local 31 | Charles Straley, Building Futures, Ironworkers Local 172

President of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 31, Daryll Bell, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the extended deadline for appropriation approvals to be made. Bell also talked about the issues preventing appropriation bills from being approved and the fight for funding VA hospitals.

A perfect example of what a successful worker from a registered pre-apprenticeship program can be, Charles Straley, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about his journey from prison to the middle class with the help of the Building Futures Program.

Melissa Cropper, President, OFT | Baldemar Velasquez, President and Founder, Farm Labor Organizing Committee

President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, Melissa Cropper, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about updates in the decision-making process for the state’s educational system and the increased discussions around banned book lists during Banned Book Week.

In honor of National Farmers Day, the America’s Work Force Union Podcast checked in with the President and Founder of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee, Baldemar Velasquez. Velasquez talked about his life growing up in a migrant family, the work FLOC does for farm workers and the issues with organizing in the agricultural industry.

Brent Taylor, Secretary-Treasurer Teamsters Local 745 and Teamsters IVP of the Southern Region | Andrew Strom, Labor Lawyer

Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 745 and Teamsters International Vice President of the Southern Region, Brent Taylor, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed his time with the union. Taylor also talked about the new contract at Solvay and the aftermath of the Yellow Freight bankruptcy.

The America’s Work Force Union Podcast welcomed back Labor Lawyer and OnLabor contributor Andrew Strom, who talked about the changes National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo wants to make to labor law. Strom outlined issues with several NLRB orders and explained why changes need to be made to them.

Zeph Capo, Texas AFT, President | Dan Loudermilk, IAM District Lodge 4, Business Representative

President of the Texas American Federation of Teachers, Zeph Capo, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing battle over school vouchers. Capo talked about the state senate's proposed voucher program and what the state has already experienced with a voucher program.

Business Representative for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District Lodge 4, Dan Loudermilk, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the strike at the Woodland Pulp facility in Baileyville, Maine. Loudermilk discussed the workers involved with the strike and issues with negotiations.

James Glimco, Teamsters Local 777, President | David Green, Director, UAW Region 2B

President of Teamsters Local 777, James Glimco, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the organizing and contract wins they’ve had in the cannabis industry. Glimco also talked about the issues with organizing a newer industry and briefly discussed the history of organizing in his family dating back to his grandfather's time as a newspaper boy in Chicago.

Director of United Autoworkers District 2B, David Green, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing strike with Big Three automakers in Detroit. Green discussed the issues facing Locals with a split workforce and what including battery plants in the national agreement means for the future of auto workers.

Travis Parsons, LHSFNA, Director of Occupational Safety & Health | Bruce Davis, AFSCME Local 2406, President

Director of Occupational Safety and Health with the Laborers Health and Safety Fund of North America, Travis Parsons, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss National Protect Your Hearing Month. Parsons talked about the warning signs for hearing damage and ways to protect against it.

President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2406, Bruce Davis, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the unique job fair held in Oklahoma City for former Teamster drivers employed by Yellow Freight. Davis also discussed how they were able to accomplish the one-day job fair and the impact it’s had on the city’s job openings.

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director, CWA District 4 | Adam Keller, co-host of TVLR and member of IATSE Local 900

The Administrative Director of the Communication Workers of America District 4, Frank Mathews, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the Richard L. Trumka PRO Act, the BEAD program and the one-year anniversary of the strike at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

In honor of International Stage Management Day, co-host of the Valley Labor Report and member of the International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 900, Adam Keller, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his work as an IATSE stagehand and the safety measures taken for each gig.

Senator Sherrod Brown | Sarah Lazare, Editor for Workday Magazine, Contributor for The Nation | Marjorie Kelly, Senior Fellow, Democracy Collective

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the need for more worker protections in the textile and electric vehicle production industries. Sen. Brown also talked about the issues in the House and what could be done to come to a resolution.

Editor from Workday Magazine and contributor to The Nation, Sarah Lazare, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her recent article about the daily pain and suffering of auto assembly line workers. Lazare also discussed the issues with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s reporting methods concerning workplace injuries.

Senior Fellow for the Democracy Collaborative, Marjorie Kelly, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the organization and what they do to help improve the workforce. Kelly also discussed the change in how workers were excluded from the operation of a business and the need for corporations to evolve.

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasure, C/COBCTC | Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer, AFL-CIO

Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building & Construction Trades Council, Dorsey Hager, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the recent visit from Senior Advisor to President Biden Tom Perez. Hager also discussed the Town Hall meeting Perez hosted and the progress of a few megaprojects in Central Ohio.

Secretary-Treasurer for the AFL-CIO, Fred Redmond, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to remember the late President of the United Steelworkers, Tom Conway. Redmond also talked about a report released by the AFL-CIO on former president Trump and the budget issues in Congress.

Chuck Stiles, Director of Teamsters Solid Waste and Recycling Division, Teamsters | Robert Espinoza, Executive Vice President, PHI

Director of the Solid Waste and Recycling Division for the Teamsters, Chuck Stiles, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the record-setting contract workers at Waste Management in Chicago just approved. Stiles also talked about the work done by the Division and what this contract means for other disposal workers in the Chicagoland area.

Executive Vice President of Policy for PHI, Robert Espinoza, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the work they do for direct care workers. Espinoza also discussed enhancing support for immigrant direct care workers and the economic impact that these workers could have on America.