America’s Work Force Union Podcast

President, Ohio Federation of Teachers, Melissa Cropper | General President, IUPAT, Jimmy Williams Jr.

Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and talked about the AFT Organizing Committee meeting. She also spoke about successful organizing campaigns in Ohio over the past two years and about grants received by several Locals in the state.

Continuing our efforts to raise awareness during National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month,  the General President of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Jimmy Williams Jr., joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their Employee Awareness Program (EAP), the Helping Hands Program.

Henry Howard, Deputy Director of Media and Communications, American Legion | Tom Vitiello, Leslie Russell and Mark Staniul Teamsters Cares

Continuing our efforts to provide education during Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, Henry Howard, the Deputy Director for Media and Communication with the American Legion, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Be The One program. Howard discussed the high suicide rate among veterans and the different help available to veterans.

As our coverage of Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month continues, America’s Work Force Union Podcast was joined by three leaders from the Teamsters Care program, Tom Vitiello, Leslie Russell and Mark Staniul. The trio discussed the program's work, and Vitiello shared his own journey and experience in the program. 

Jeff Stoffer, Director Media & Communications Division, American Legion | Rich Fiesta, Executive Director, Alliance for Retired Americans

In honor of our continued efforts to provide awareness during National Suicide Prevention Week, Jeff Stoffer, Director of the American Legion’s Media & Communications Division, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Be The One Program and their efforts to provide mental health resources to veterans. Stoffer also talked about Operation Heal*arious and the new healthcare track established by the Task Force Movement.

Executive Director for the Alliance for Retired Americans, Rich Fiesta, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the fight for Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices, the impact on retirees and the need for Social Security expansion.

Sonya Bohmann, Executive Director, CIASP | Erika Hughes, President, Central Alabama AFT

As part of our fourth day of Suicide Awareness Week programming, Executive Director of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention, Sonya Bohmann, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the goal and resources that CIASP provides for suicide awareness. 

President of the Central Alabama American Federation of Teachers, Erika Hughes, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to describe the growing issues with staffing in Alabama schools. Hughes also discussed the fight for proper, transparent funding and the anti-union actions in Mobile County.

Jamie Becker, Director of Health Promotion with the Laborer’s Health and Safety Fund of North America | Greg LeRoy, Executive Director, Good Jobs First

As part of our continued coverage of National Suicide Awareness Week, Director of Health Promotion for the Laborers Health and Safety Fund of North America, Jamie Becker, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the mental health initiatives and resources LIUNA provides for members. Becker also discussed the Health and Safety Fund and how adaptability is key for their mental health program.

Executive Director of Good Jobs First, Greg LeRoy, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about loopholes in the Inflation Reduction Act and the impact on the economy. LeRoy also talked about similarities to the loopholes found in the Clean Energy Savings For All Initiative and why the UAW’s negotiations are being impacted by them.

Chris Carlough, SMART MAP Program Coordinator, SMOHIT | Connor Tobin, Executive Director, USLPA

As part of our continued coverage of National Suicide Prevention Week, Chris Carlough, Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) MAP Program Coordinator with the Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the award-winning work being done to provide mental health support for members.

Executive Director for the United Soccer League Players Association, Connor Tobin, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast as part of our National Suicide Prevention Week coverage to talk about an innovative mental health program with Onrise Care for professional soccer players. Tobin also talked about the unique services offered and why the program is an improvement over team-issued sports psychologists.

Dr. Sally Specer-Thomas, Clinical Psychologist | Paul Capurso, NYC District Council of Carpenters, President

Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, noted psychologist, program trainer and speaker, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to begin our coverage of National Suicide Prevention Week and talk about Suicide Prevention Week and Mental Health Awareness. Dr. Sally also talked about improving awareness in the building trades and improving your Local union’s ability to help provide resources to those in need. 

President of the New York City District Council of Carpenters, Paul Capurso, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the events of Sept 11, 2001, from his first-hand experience. Capurso also discussed his work with the World Trade Center Health Monitoring Program and the importance of remembrance.

Ademola Oyefeso, United Food and Commercial Workers Union, International Vice President | Andrew Strom, Labor Lawyer

International Vice President and Director of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union’s Cannabis Division, Ademola Oyefeso, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about their success organizing in the Cannabis industry and the importance of organizing workers in a new industry.

Labor lawyer Andrew Strom joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent decision by the National Labor Relations Board in the case against CeMex. Strom explained the decision’s impact on organizing efforts and how it helps provide workers with a way to fight illegal activities by their employer.

John Russo, Visiting Scholar, Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University | Ileen DeVault, Labor Historian, Cornell ILR School

Visiting scholar at the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University, John Russo, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing negotiations between the UAW and Big Three auto manufacturers and how they can learn from auto plants in the Youngstown, Ohio region to help with the negotiations.

Labor historian and Professor with the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, Ileen DeVault, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the changing mentality of the Labor Movement among students. DeVault also discussed the ILR Labor Action Tracker and trends contributing to the “Hot Summer Labor.”

Renee Hersey, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Supervisory Economist | Dave Megenhardt, Executive Director, United Labor Agency

A supervisory economist for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Renee Hersey, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the process for documenting data and looked at 2023's preliminary findings for major work stoppages in America. Hersey also discussed the industries leading the way for stoppages and the number of workers involved.             

Executive Director of the United Labor Agency, Dave Megenhardt, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about a new educational program now available through the agency, the benefits it provides workers and the upcoming ULA UnSung Heroes Dinner.