America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Tim Burga, President, Ohio AFL-CIO | Jeff Holly, Business Manager and Financial Secretary-Treasurer, SMART Local 359

President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, Tim Burga, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Ohio’s upcoming legislative battles. Burga discussed the lack of progress on redistricting. He also talked about the fight over the approval threshold on state constitutional amendments and Senate Bill 83, and what it means for Ohio public university workers. 

 

Jeff Holly, Business Manager and Financial Secretary-Treasurer of SMART Local 359 joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the state of his local. Holly discussed the major work projects that Local 359 is working on in the Phoenix area and the boom in membership since 2015. He also discussed the Local’s growing apprenticeship program, the factors that he believes led to the growth of union membership and Local 359’s five-year work outlook.

Ron Bieber, President, Michigan AFL-CIO | Darrin Camilleri, District 4 State Senator, Michigan State Senate

President of the Michigan AFL-CIO, Ron Bieber, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss repealing Michigan’s So-Called “Right-to-Work” legislation. Bieber discussed the history of the So-Called “Right-to-Work” in Michigan dating back to 2013 when the then Republican-controlled state government passed the legislation. He shared the moment he believes the battle turned in their favor and the ongoing fight lawmakers face to continue supporting workers. 

 

Michigan’s State Senator Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) discussed the bill he introduced that repealed Michigan’s So-Called “Right-to-Work” legislation on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast. Camilleri discussed his battle to have the bill be passed, the impact of the bill on future pro-worker legislation and other efforts he and other pro-labor lawmakers need to do to ensure no legislation is brought against the repeal.

Joelle Hall, President, Alaska AFL-CIO | Daniel Hicks, Business Representative, Carpenters Local 225

On the final day of Women’s History Month, Joelle Hall, President of the Alaska AFL-CIO joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast. She discussed not only becoming the first female president of the AFL-CIO in Alaska, but also the first president not to come from rank-and-file members.  Hall discussed the recent approval of the Willow Project by the Biden Administration, and the impact the project will have on not just Alaska but the entire United States moving forward.

 

Daniel Hicks, the Business Representative for Carpenters Local 225 in Atlanta, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent growth of pro-union sentiment in the state. Hicks also discussed the Skills USA competitions, the growing apprenticeship program and the Southeastern Carpenters' yearly Lobby Day.

Evelyn Pacheco, President, Nevada Women in Trades | Clark Herman, President, CSPH International

President and Founder of the Nevada Women in Trades, Evelyn Pacheco, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss making history in Nevada, helping more women get into organized labor. She also talks about a pre-apprenticeship program that prepares women to enter union apprenticeship programs.

 

Clark Herman, the president of CSPH International, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the growing trend of mining companies signing Project Labor Agreements With the growing reliance on precious metals, Herman believes there are plenty of opportunities for organized labor to grow in the mining industry.

Pat Hook, Business Manager and Financial Secretary, IBEW Local 683 | Ryan Cave, Project field Organizer/Executive, UFPA

Business Manager and Financial Secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 683, Pat Hook, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the exceptional growth of projects and the need for new union members in Central Ohio. Hook also discussed the growth of Local 683 over the last two decades, including a major increase in their apprenticeship class sizes and the technological improvements they’ve made in the training classes to match the new energy sources utilized in Central Ohio.

 

Ryan Cave, Executive with the United Football Players Association (UFPA) and a project field organizer with the United Steelworkers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the new United States Football League’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Cave talked about his past experiences with negotiating CBAs for other professional leagues, how the USW got involved in the process, the future of the UFPA and what they hope to do for the players they represent.

Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) | Tom Buffenbarger, Independent Labor Voice

U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the labor-related legislation she introduced into the 118th Congress, her history with labor unions and the new Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party. She also shared her hopes that the U.S. manufacturing industry will see a resurgence in production and restore its competitive balance with the rest of the world.

 

Tom Buffenbarger, an independent labor voice, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the deregulation of the American railroad and banking industries and how it has created an economic climate similar to the one prior to the Great Recession. He also explained how deregulation had hurt the U.S. military.

Jenn Stowe, Executive Director, National Domestic Workers Alliance | Greg Regan, President, Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO

Jenn Stowe, Executive Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the domestic workers industry and the unique situations those workers face. Stowe provided a brief history of the industry and explained the NDWA’s plan to improve working conditions through a Collective Bargaining Agreement and governmental intervention. 

 

Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union and provided updates on the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment, including that he believes the rail carriers are not being as transparent as they promised. He also spoke about health issues affecting the workers who are cleaning up the site and also discussed how the Federal Aviation Administration has gone one year without a confirmed leader.

Mia Dell, Deputy Director of Advocacy, AFL-CIO |Thomas M. Conway, International President, United Steelworkers

Mia Dell, Deputy Director of Advocacy for the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the role of women in the labor movement. She also explained why economic security for women in both the workforce and at home needs to be a priority. 

 

Thomas M. Conway, International President of the United Steelworkers, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about China’s trade relationship with the U.S. and how this relationship has hurt the U.S. economy. He also talked about the problems with two-tier wage systems and Michigan’s repeal of So-Called “Right to Work” legislation.

Bill Samuel, Government Affairs Director, AFL-CIO | Andy Levin, Distinguished Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress

Bill Samuel, Government Affairs Director for the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the upcoming repeal of Michigan’s So-Called “Right to Work” laws, which he hopes will happen soon. He also spoke about the nomination of Julie Su to become the next U.S. Department of Labor Secretary and also gave his thoughts on the leadership of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

 

Distinguished Senior Fellow at The Center for American Progress Andy Levin appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and detailed how So-Called “Right to Work” laws, which he calls Right to Freeload laws, have caused financial damage. He also explained how Michigan legislators made the repeal of the state’s So-Called “Right to Work” laws referendum-proof.

Pete Ielmini, Executive Director, Mechanical Insulators LMCT| Adam Keller, co-host/co-producer, The Valley Labor Report

Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators LMCT, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the Firestop Market Recovery Program, which seeks to recapture or gain firestopping work lost by union contractors. He also explained how the LMCT is looking to create a program to help members of the Insulators Union start their own contracting business. 

 

Adam Keller, co-host/co-producer of The Valley Labor Report, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and talked about the end of the Warrior Met Coal strike, which was the longest strike in the history of Alabama. Keller also addressed a successful campaign by Teamsters Local 402 that organized roughly 200 bus drivers.