America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Ann Larson (The Nation Magazine) / Davida Russell (Coalition of Labor Union Women)

Nation Magazine contributor Ann Larson joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed her article, “‘The Great Resignation’ Is a Great Exaggeration,” which challenged the concept that workers quit their jobs in record numbers and created a turning point for organized labor.

 

Davida Russell, State President of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), joined the AWF Union Podcast and discussed Ohio CLUW’s Women's Revolution — "Turning Dreams Into Reality,” an upcoming women's conference celebrating women in labor leadership.

Ibidun “Bibi” Roberts (AFGE) / Sheigh Freeberg (UNITE HERE! Local 17)

Ibidun “Bibi" Roberts, Outside Legal Counsel for the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National Veterans Affairs (VA) Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the Veterans Affairs Accountability Act and its impact on VA employees.

 

UNITE HERE! Local 17 Secretary-Treasurer Sheigh Freeberg joined the AWF Union Podcast and talked about his efforts to organize craft brewery workers in Minnesota. 

Shari Obrenski (Cleveland Teachers Union) / Doug Kelly (American Edge Project)

Cleveland Teachers Union President Shari Obrenski joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how teachers managed to persevere during the COVID-19 pandemic through innovation and embracing technology. She also talked about the teacher shortage and why more needs to be done to support teachers. 

 

Doug Kelly, CEO of the American Edge Project, joined the AWF Union podcast and talked about the importance of America’s technology companies and the need to protect technological innovation from suffering the same fate as American manufacturing.

Ed Hawthorne (Connecticut AFL-CIO) / Cole Nelson (IGWC-UE)

Connecticut AFL-CIO President Ed Hawthorne joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed bipartisan legislation passed by the Connecticut House of Representatives to give workers the right to leave captive audience meetings. He also talked about a bill passed by the Connecticut state legislature to provide pandemic pay for essential workers in the private sector. 

      

Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition (IGWC) Union Representative Cole Nelson joined the AWF Union Podcast and discussed his group’s efforts to gain union recognition from the administration at Indiana University.

Dorsey Hager (Columbus/Central Ohio BCTC) / Joyce Goldstein (Labor Lawyer)

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 the impact the $20 billion Intel plant will have on Ohio’s economy. 

 

Joyce Goldstein, a Labor and Employee Benefits Lawyer at Joyce Goldstein & Associates, joined the AWF Union Podcast and talked about the possibility of the National Labor Relations Board declaring captive audience meetings illegal and a violation of national labor laws.

Josh Nassar (United Auto Workers) / Melissa Moriarty (National Council for Occupational Safety and Health)

National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH) Communications Manager Melissa Moriarty joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and talked about The Dirty Dozen report, which chronicles unsafe working conditions in workplaces across the U.S. She also discussed the WorkedUp initiative and efforts to chronicle COVID-19 workplace fatalities. 

 

United Auto Workers (UAW) Legislative Director Josh Nassar joined the AWF Union Podcast and discussed how runaway inflation could impact the midterm elections. He also provided an update on the status of electric vehicle tax credits.

John Smith (Central Mississippi Central Labor Union, AFL-CIO) / Carlos Aramayo (UNITE HERE Local 26)

UNITE HERE Local 26 President Carlos Aramayo joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and shared how his Union doubled its membership in five years and why the hotel industry has used the labor shortage as an excuse to downgrade service. 

  

Central Mississippi Labor Council President John Smith appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about the challenges of organizing in Mississippi, a So-Called “Right to Work” state. He also explained how such policies have kept wages low and forced many to seek work in other states.

Frank Mathews (Administrative Director, Communications Workers of America District 4)

Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 4 Administrative Director Frank Mathews joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed a recent White House meeting between President Biden and union organizers, the CWA’s Campaign to Organize Digital Employees and the Affordable Interconnectivity Program.

Kendall Martin (General Vice-President of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Union) / Jessica Podhola (IUPAT DC 3)

Kendall Martin, General Vice-President of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Union, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the beneficial Project Labor Agreement signed between NABTU and Ørsted to construct the company’s U.S. offshore wind farms. 

 

Jessica Podhola, Director of Governmental Affairs for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 3, appeared on the podcast and discussed a recent 10-day strike by Painters and Finishers Local 2012 that helped the Local secure its largest pay increase in 17 years.

Eloy Jara and Skip Daly (LIUNA Local 169) / Fred Redmond (AFL-CIO)

Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 169 Business Manager Richard “Skip” Daly and Assistant Business Manager Eloy Jara joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how a labor shortage in parts of Nevada has encouraged more contractors to hire union workers due to the reliable workforce organized labor can provide. 

 

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond joined the podcast and discussed the reasons behind the current wave of inflation and how corporations are using it as an excuse to rake in record profits on the backs of working families.