America’s Work Force Union Podcast

BJ Levy, CFM Local 10-208 | Joe Sebes, Parma Southwest Area C.O.P.E.

BJ Levy, President of the Chicago Federation of Musicians Local 10-208, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his Local’s unique history and how it was impacted by segregation. He also spoke about the 1942-44 Recording Strike and the union's efforts to organize hip-hop artists and electric dance music (EDM) disc jockeys (DJs).

Joe Sebes, Chairman of the Parma Southwest Area Committee of Political Education, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the organization and its fundraising efforts to highlight and support labor groups in Northeast Ohio.

Tim Church, Wondr Health | Cindy Brooks, Carpenters Local 237

Tim Church, MD, PhD, MPH and Chief Medical Officer for Wondr Health, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the assistance they provide unions and their members through positive health outcomes, quality of life improvements and cost savings.

Cindy Brooks, a fourth-year apprentice with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local Union 237 in Peoria, Ill., joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her work with the union and what she is doing to ensure more women are able to succeed in the trades. She also discussed the support she received from her union Brothers and Sisters while battling cancer.

Frank Mathews, CWA District 4 | Jane Flanagan, IL DOL

Administrative Director of the Communications Workers of America District 4, Frank Mathews, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the potential issues that could befall unions if Project 2025 were to be implemented and what the union is doing to educate members about the anti-union and anti-worker policies proposed in the conservative manifesto.

Jane Flanagan, Director of the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL), joined the Amerca’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Illinois's recent amendment to its child labor laws that will strengthen its regulations. She also spoke about enforcing regulations and a change to the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2023.

Stephanie Stachura, IBEW Local 134 | Allison Balanc, TradeFutures

Stephanie Stachura, Vice President of the Sisters of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134, based in Chicago, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how her educational degree has impacted the way she instructs members within the union. She also explained how she is helping women at her Local deal with the unique challenges they will face during their careers as members of Local 134.

Allison Balanc, Digital and Marketing Strategy Manager for TradesFutures, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss TradesFutures and how it helps develop, promote and improve Apprenticeship Readiness Programs (ARPs) nationwide.

Andrew Strom, OnLabor contributor and labor lawyer | Mike Dolan, former organizer and Teamsters lawyer and consultant for the Jane Fonda Climate PAC

Andrew Strom, OnLabor contributor and labor lawyer, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his recent blog, “What Will it Take to Sound the Alarm About Trump Judges?”

Mike Dolan, former organizer, Teamsters lawyer and consultant for the Jane Fonda Climate Political Action Committee, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about his work for the PAC and how California is leading the nation in the transition to green energy.

Jody Calemine, AFL-CIO | Denise Specht, Education Minnesota

Denise Specht, President of Education Minnesota, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her experience working with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who was recently announced as Democratic Presidential nominee Kamala Harris’s running mate. Specht also discussed Education Minnesota and how she ended up joining the organization after getting her start in Texas.

Jody Calemine, the Director of Advocacy for the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss what happened on the Senate floor with the expansion to the Child Tax Credit. He also discussed the upcoming schedule for members of Congress and explained the impact Project 2025 could have on the American labor movement.

Richard Evans, IAM Veterans Services | Lucas Franco, LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Veterans Services Coordinator Richard Evans joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the formation of the IAM’s Veteran Services Department, the people who can help veterans file claims with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and some of the claims his department handles. 

Lucas Franco, Research Manager of Great Lakes Regional Organizing Committee for LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the decision by Democratic Party Presidential nominee Kamala Harris to select Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her Vice Presidential running mate.

Tim Burga, Ohio AFL-CIO | Michelle Wayne, IBEW Local 146

Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Citizens Not Politicians initiative to fix Ohio’s gerrymandered voting maps through a constitutional amendment. 

Michelle Wayne, Treasurer of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 146 in Central Illinois, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her journey in the trades. She also discussed the perceptions of women in the trades and why she created her union’s Women’s Committee.

Bryan Flannery, Anthem BCBS | John Samuelsen, TWU

Bryan Flannery, Director of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield's Labor and Trust division, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how Anthem is working to keep healthcare costs affordable and accessible for union members nationwide.

John Samuelsen, International President of the Transport Workers Union of America, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the long journey to getting Amtrak onboard service workers a historic wage increase and industry-leading paid parental leave in their recently ratified contract.

Dorsey Hager, C/CO BCTC | Fred Redmond, AFL-CIO

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to provide updates on multiple megaprojects in Central Ohio and how the construction boom will impact the infrastructure in the region. He also talked about the need to recruit future generations of tradespeople and how the Ohio State Fair plays a role.

Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss why they endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris following President Joe Biden’s announcement that he’d be stepping down from his reelection campaign. Redmond also discussed the educational resources available to anyone seeking more information about the pro-labor stances of the candidates.