America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Alex Aguilar, LIUNA Local 724 | Donnie Blatt, USW District 1

Alex Aguilar, Secretary-Treasurer of LIUNA Local 724, the Hollywood Laborers Union, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing efforts to unionize production assistants in the entertainment industry.

 

Donnie Blatt, District 1 Director of the United Steelworkers, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss ongoing labor disputes at Libbey Glass, a tentative agreement at Matalis and upcoming contract negotiations in 2026.

 

Sandy Reding, NNU | Jana Blunt & Perry Siu & Paul Perryman, SEIU Local 1021

Sandy Reding, President of the California Nurses Association and Vice President of National Nurses United, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Medicaid cuts, collective bargaining rights for federal workers and immigration raids in hospitals.

 

Jana Blunt, field rep for SEIU Local 1021, along with bargaining team members Perry Siu and Paul Perryman, discussed their ongoing struggle for fair compensation in Novato, Calif., on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast. 

Pete Ielmini, LMCT | Frank Manzo, ILEPI

Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Trust, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act, the importance of trade shows for industry education and the critical role of proper insulation of mechanical insulation and firestopping materials.

Frank Manzo, Director of the Illinois Economic Policy Institute, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the impact of collective bargaining rights on union membership and wage growth.

Melissa Cropper, OFT | Randi Weingarten, AFT

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss crucial issues affecting Ohio educators.

 

Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her new book, "Why Fascists Fear Teachers."

Patrick Moran, President of AFSCME Maryland Council 3 | Matt Gunup, President of SEIU Local 580

Patrick Moran, President of AFSCME Maryland Council 3, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the impact federal budget cuts could have on Maryland's public services. Moran highlighted the ripple effects of federal job losses, the importance of union mobilization and the need for strategic pushback against anti-worker policies.

 

Matt Gunup, President of SEIU Local 580, discussed the alarming working conditions at the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Family Services building. Gunup highlighted the long-standing health issues, the state's plan to renew the lease and the upcoming public hearing to address these concerns.

Jeff Stouffer, AL | Lisa Cutler, ARA

Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications for the  American Legion, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing government shutdown's effects on veterans and military personnel.

 

Lisa Cutler, Director of Communications for the Alliance for Retired Americans, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the government shutdown's impact on Social Security beneficiaries and Medicare recipients.

Max Page, Massachusetts Teachers Association | Pat Gallagher, North Coast Labor Federation

 

Max Page, President of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Fair Share Amendment, its impact on public education funding and the ongoing fight for equitable taxation.

Pat Gallagher, representing the North Coast Labor Federation, discussed the critical need for American shipbuilding, the impact of tariff uncertainty on industries and the importance of labor-friendly candidates in local elections. 

Heidi Shierholz, EPI | Michael Pineda, SEIU UHW

Heidi Shierholz, President of the Economic Policy Institute and former Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Labor, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the erosion of worker protections under the Trump administration, the manipulation of economic data and the importance of unions in today's economy.

Michael Pineda, chief steward at Sutter Delta Medical Center and executive board member of SEIU-UHW, discussed the recent contract negotiations with Sutter Health on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast.

Frank Mathews, CWA | Mary Cochran and Greg Bailey, Walters Art Museum

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director of District 4 for the Communication Workers of America, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Keep Call Centers in America Act, broadband infrastructure challenges and the need for more government oversight and work protections in the telecommunications industry.

 

Mary Cochran, Associate Registrar and Greg Bailey, Senior Objects Conservator at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their successful unionization efforts, the challenges they faced during negotiations and the significant improvements secured in their first contract.

Justin Sloan, Bosworth Steel & Harvey Swift, IMPACT | Sarah Dziunycz, AFSCME

Justin Sloan, Safety Director at Bosworth Steel Erectors and Harvey Swift, Southern Regional Director of Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the evolution of safety protocols in the ironworking industry.

 

Sarah Dziunycz, President of AFSCME Local 1454, discussed the ongoing contract negotiations for Camden County Library System employees in New Jersey.