America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Dorsey Hager, C/COBCTC | Fred Redmond, 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 the region's construction boom, apprenticeship growth and a labor dispute with fire truck manufacturer Sutphen.

 

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, discussed the ongoing government shutdown, its impact on federal workers and the looming healthcare crisis. 

Manja Horner, Boost | Valerie Wilson, EPI

Manja Horner, founder of Boost, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss leadership mindset roadblocks, knowledge capture strategies and how her company is helping unions modernize their operations.

 

Valerie Wilson, Director of the Program on Race, Ethnicity and Economy at the Economic Policy Institute, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss President Donald Trump's recent executive order gutting the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.

Jennifer Abruzzo | NLRB

Jennifer Abruzzo, former General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board and current senior advisor to the President for the Communication Workers of America, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her tenure at the NLRB, recent challenges to the agency's authority and the importance of worker solidarity.

Cristie Robles-Beilby & Taryn Cadena, Monterey Bay Aquarium Workers United | Tom Buffenbarger

Cristie Robles-Beilby and Taryn Cadena, aquarists at Monterey Bay Aquarium, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their unionization efforts to form Monterey Bay Aquarium Workers United, an AFSCME affiliate.

Tom Buffenbarger, retired general president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, shared his thoughts on the ongoing strike at Boeing's St. Louis facility.

Lindsey Tavares, AES | Merrilee Logue, NLO

Lindsey Tavares, Executive Director of the Apprenticeship Exploration School in Rhode Island, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their unique charter high school model. 

 

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 suicide prevention, mental health resources and industry-specific challenges. 

Amber Miller, USW | Jon Zumkehr, AFGE Local 4070

Amber Miller, Director of the United Steelworkers' Rapid Response Program, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the program's 30-year history, current initiatives and efforts to combat gerrymandering.

 

Jon Zumkehr, President of AFGE Local 4070, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the alarming suicide rate among correctional officers, efforts to improve mental health support and challenges facing the Bureau of Prisons.

Zaid Alrashid, CIR SEIU | Marleigh Flowers, Drake De Valcourt, MWWC

Dr. Zaid Alrashid, internal medicine resident at Brookdale University and delegate of the Committee of Interns and Residents/-Service Employees International Union (CIR-SEIU), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the critical role of immigrant doctors in the U.S. healthcare system. 

 

Marleigh Flowers, bartender, and Drake De Valcourt, security officer, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their efforts to unionize Meow Wolf Workers Collective in Houston with CWA Local 7055. 

 

Pete Ielmini, Mechanical Insulators LMCT & Bill Petty | Ryan Pollock, TSBCTC

Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust and Bill Petty, lobbyist with State Federal Strategies, discussed the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act on the America's Work Force Union Podcast. They provided updates on the bill's progress, its bipartisan support and its potential impact on energy efficiency and job creation.

 

Ryan Pollock, Executive Director of the Texas State Building and Construction Trades Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Chevron's $5 billion blue ammonia and hydrogen facility project in Port Arthur, Texas. Pollock shared insights on the project's impact, workforce safety concerns and broader challenges facing the construction industry in Texas. 

Will McKee & Chris Tillery, Sacramento Electrical Training Center | Chris Taylor, LIUNA Local 1098

Sacramento Electrical Training Center Instructor Will McKee and Training Director Chris Tillery joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their recent $2 million grant, efforts to increase diversity in the electrical trade and their success in apprenticeship competitions.

 

Chris Taylor, Marketing Representative for LIUNA Local 1098 in Saginaw, Mich., joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the union's community outreach efforts, their impact and the current work outlook for members. Taylor also highlighted the Local's involvement in Laborers Rising, a program encouraging union members to engage with and support their communities.

Hannah Kim & Danny Behar, SNL | Greg Regan. TTD AFL-CIO

Hannah Kim and Danny Behar, Visual Effects Artists at Saturday Night Live, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their successful unionization efforts with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

 

Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the rollbacks of rail safety regulations, the elimination of advisory committees and the launch of new high-speed trains in the U.S.