America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Jon Hooker (Central Indiana BCTC) / Desiree Hoffman (United Auto Workers)

Central Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council (CINBCTC) President and Executive Director Jon Hooker joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how Indiana’s construction boom has impacted the state’s building trades and the need to grow apprenticeship programs to meet the demand for workers.

 

United Auto Workers (UAW) Assistant Legislative Director Desiree Hoffman appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about how the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductor (CHIPS) for America Act could help solve some of the nation’s supply chain problems and revitalize American manufacturing.

Dave Megenhardt (United Labor Agency) / Riston Breiner (IBEW Local 226)

Riston Breiner, Organizer and Membership Development Director for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 226, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the work the Local performed on a $650 million federal biosafety lab and the work they are currently performing on a $4 billion Panasonic battery plant. He also spoke about the IBEW’s Electrical Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program.    

 

United Labor Agency (ULA) Executive Director David Megenhardt appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and hypothesized why Ohio’s job market has not made a full recovery from the pandemic. He also touted the Agency’s Unsung Heroes of the Labor Movement Award.

Tim Burga Ohio (Ohio AFL-CIO) / Douglas Nelson (IBEW Local 223)

Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed a recent Gallup poll that found 71 percent of Americans approve of unions – the highest approval rating since 1965 – and what it means for the future of organizing. He also talked about the AFL-CIO’s goal to organize 1 million new members in the next decade. 

 

Doug Nelson, Business Manager and Financial-Secretary of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 223, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about the need to grow the Local’s apprenticeship programs to meet the demands of an expanding economy. He also talked about the opportunities available to IBEW members in wind, solar and battery storage projects. 

Liz Shuler (AFL-CIO) /Chris Smalls (Amazon Union) / Mark Dimondstein (APWU)

Liz Shuler, President of the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how “ greedflation” has infected corporate culture, and how unions should best respond in order to empower working families. She also talked about the Biden Administration’s recent game-changing wins.

 

Chris Smalls, founding President of the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), joined the AWF Union Podcast and explained why an independent organizing strategy proved to be the best approach for successfully organizing the first union for Amazon workers in the U.S.

 

American Postal Workers Union (APWU) President Mark Dimondstein came on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed the role members of the APWU played in the 2020 presidential election as voter participation increased during the pandemic. He also spoke about the U.S. Postal Service Shipping Equity Act, which if passed,  would legalize the shipment of alcohol by the postal service.

Fred Redmond (AFL-CIO) / Dorsey Hager (Columbus/Central Ohio BCTC)

Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dorsey Hager made his monthly appearance on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed media speculation about a $4.4 billion Honda and LG Energy battery plant coming to Ohio, and provided updates on other projects in his jurisdiction.

 

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and reflected on the one-year anniversary of the passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, who passed away on Aug. 5, 2021. He also talked about the need for solidarity among union members and gave his thoughts on the upcoming November midterm elections.

Daisy Pitkin (Author) /James Burrows (Montana AFL-CIO)

Daisy Pitkin, a union organizer and author of “On the Line: A Story of Class, Solidarity and Two Women's Epic Fight to Build a Union,” joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed her book that explores the bonds she formed with a second-shift immigrant laundry worker during their fight to organize industrial laundry factories in Phoenix.

 

Montana AFL-CIO Communications Director James Burrows appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about the labor movement’s successful efforts to stop “So-Called” Right to Work legislation from becoming law in the state. He also spoke about the increased union density within the state of  Montana.

Pete Ielmini (LMCT) / Shaun Richman ( SUNY Professor)

Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT) Executive Director Pete Ielmini joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed why people should reflect on the benefits of the labor movement this Labor Day weekend. He also spoke about the importance of mechanical insulation as a tool to reduce the use of fossil fuels. 

 

Shaun Richman, a Labor Studies Expert at the State University of New York (SUNY) Empire State College and author of “Tell the Bosses We're Coming: A New Action Plan for Workers in the Twenty-First Century,” appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about how Marty Walsh was a great selection for U.S. Secretary of Labor compared to the labor secretaries of previous administrations. He also spoke about the Fast Food Recovery Act in California.

Shawn Steffee (Boilermakers Local 154) /Nat Glitsch (ILWU Local 5)

Boilermakers Local 154 Business Agent Shawn Steffee joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the need to invest in a variety of alternative forms of energy, while implementing carbon capture technology, in order to keep up with society’s energy appetite in a way that is environmentally sustainable. 

 

Nat Glitsch, organizer for the Growing Seeds Workers Union affiliated with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 5, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about the need to fund universal preschool as a means of improving the quality of early childhood education. 

Dan Bukiewicz (Milwaukee BCTC) / Frank Manzo (Illinois Economic Policy Institute)

Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council (MBCTC) President Dan Bukiewicz joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed a new childcare pilot program launched in Milwaukee that has made it easier for parents to go into the trades. He also talked about  the need to improve diversity and how the MBCTC has approached this issue.

 

Illinois Economic Policy Institute Executive Director Frank Manzo appeared on the AWFUnion Podcast and talked about a recent survey conducted by the IEPI that found the construction labor shortage is significantly less severe for union firms than non-union firms.

Nikki Kateman (Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW) / Bernie Hall (USW)

Nikki Kateman, Political and Communications Director for the Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 338, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the abundance of good paying, union jobs in the New York State legal cannabis industry. She also talked about  the Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act and how the Local became the first union in New York history to be certified to represent farm workers.

 

United Steelworkers (USW) District 10 Director Bernie Hall appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and provided an update on current contract negotiations with Cleveland-Cliffs, which covers 30,000 USW workers at the Minorca Mine and the company's steel facilities.