America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Liliana Calderon, Director of Health and Safety for the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about what the BAC is doing for OSHA’s Stand Down to Prevent Falls in Construction Week as well as some of the improvements she’s seen in workplace safety over her 17-year career. Jacob Morrison, President of the North Alabama Area Labor Council, and Connor Lewis, President of the Seven Mountains Central Labor Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the Bargain Together campaign, their support efforts and what it could do for nationwide union solidarity.

Allison Smartt, an organizer with IATSE Local 839, known as The Animation Guild (TAG), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about recent organizing success with animators at Dreamworks Studios and dispelled some myths about workers in this type of creative industry. Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the issues with the proposed legislation in HB 472. Burga also discussed the efforts to get a redistricting amendment on the November ballot.

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about what can be done to show appreciation for teachers. Cropper also spoke about the funding of private school vouchers in Ohio and the FTC’s final rule on non-compete clauses. Jeff Worthington, President of the Utah AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about Utah’s H.B. 285, the efforts by the state’s unions to defeat the bill and organizing in the state.

Justin Azbill, Director of National Environment, Health and Safety at Milwaukee Tool, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast as part of our continuing coverage of Mental Health Awareness Month. He started the conversation around Construction Safety Week and his work on safety and mental healthcare for construction industry workers. As part of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s National Stand Down to Prevent Falls in Construction week, Rich Danko, Business Manager and Financial Secretary-Treasurer, and Paul Ribarchak, Apprenticeship Training Coordinator, from Ironworkers Local 3 in Pittsburgh, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss what they are doing in their apprenticeship program.

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer for the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the North American Building Trades Union Legislative Conference, getting more people into the trades and an update on the status of the Intel project. Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer for the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their report, Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect, 2024. Redmond discussed the rise of workplace injuries involving minority workers and why there have been so many issues getting employers to provide proper protections for workers.

Sonya Bohmann, Executive Director of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to continue our coverage of Mental Health Awareness Month. Bohmann discussed the proper ways to discuss mental health resources available to leaders and workers. Zack Tanner, President of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh — a Local with The NewsGuild-Communication Workers of America — joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the announcement from Region 6 of the National Labor Relations Board that they would begin the process for seeking Injunctive Relief following the decision to dissolve by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 205.

To begin Mental Health Awareness Month, Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, noted psychologist, program trainer and speaker, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the state of mental health awareness in America. She also spoke about how unions can provide care and access to mental health, including the Man Therapy campaign. Dave Megenhardt, Executive Director of the United Labor Agency (ULA), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ULA Counseling Center, improving access to mental health care and a shortage of mental health counselors.

Merrilee Logue, executive director of the Blue Cross Blue Shield National Labor Office (NLO), and Mikal Sutton, the managing director of Medicaid policy for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the process for Medicaid redeterminations and how Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies are working to give American’s access to coverage. In honor of International Painters Appreciation Day, America’s Work Force Union Podcast spoke with the General President for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Jimmy Williams Jr. He gave an overview of the work done by the union in 2023, their strength in diversity and how the increase in work creates a greater opportunity to fix worker misclassification.

Business Manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 40, Stephan Davis, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the Local’s upcoming 100th Anniversary event, the Hollywood Basic Crafts negotiations and their unique retirement plan for members. Jeff Joines, the Director of Government Affairs for the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes, International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED-IBT), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about Rail Labor Day on May 1 in Washington, D.C. and how it could help bring better safety regulations to the rail industry.

The Co-Executive Director of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, Marcy Goldstein-Gelb, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union podcast and spoke about the annual release of the “Dirty Dozen” list of companies and the power of unions to make employees and workplaces safer. Donnie Blatt, United Steelworkers District 1 Director, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how a Collective Bargaining Agreement can lead to a safer workplace and the move to end gerrymandering in Ohio. As a part of our coverage for Workers Memorial Day on April 28, Roy Morrison, Director of Safety for the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how the union is working to eliminate rail operations that focus on profit over safety and explains how the Brotherhood is providing a better reporting system for workers.

Bill Samuel, Government Affairs Director of the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast for his final appearance in his current position. Samuel talked about his history in Labor and his memories on the show. He also spoke on the work President Joe Biden has done to help pass a foreign aid package and the Biden Administration's announcement of the final rules on overtime for certain salaried employees. Business Manager of International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators Local 50, Dan Poteet, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a potential record contract for members of Local 50. He also provided an update on the Local’s organizing campaign to get enough members to handle the growing workload in Central Ohio.

Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust Executive Director Pete Ielmini joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and provided an update on the status of the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act and talked about jobsite safety. Ken Grossinger, author of “Artworks: How Organizers and Artists are Creating a Better World Together,” appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the power of art and how it can lead to social change.

Scott Paul, Alliance for American Manufacturing President, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the Biden administration launching an investigation into China's unfair trade practices in the shipbuilding sector and how Chinese overcapacity is a threat to many U.S. industries. Independent labor voice Tom Buffenbarger appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about recent safety concerns raised about Boeing aircraft and his worry that union members will ultimately pay the price for the decisions by Boeing’s upper management.

In honor of National Infertility Awareness Week beginning today, April 22, America’s Work Force Union Podcast featured Dr. Janet Choi, a double-board certified reproductive endocrinologist, and Stacey Hofert, Vice President of Labor and Trust, from Progyny. They discussed what they are doing to help individuals in the trades receive better care across the fertility, family building and women’s health continuum. They also talked about expanding benefits and closing the gaps in coverage that exist today. Secretary-Treasurer for the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA), Roland “Rex” Rexha, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to give a seagoing engineers’ perspective on the Francis Scott Key Bridge incident in the Baltimore Harbor and potential maritime reforms that could help protect workers and residents around ports.

Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications for the American Legion, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about a few stories found in May’s edition of the Legion Magazine. Norm Wernet, President of the Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the problems created by the lack of funding for Social Security Administration field offices.

Katelyn Parady, a Phoenix-based Staffer for the National Council for Occupational Safety & Health (National COSH), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the recent city ordinance in Phoenix that will provide protection from extreme heat in the workplace. Dave Jamieson, Labor Journalist with the HuffPost, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Florida’s recent law preventing local governments from passing heat ordinances for worker safety.

Jessica LaPointe, President of the American Federation of Government Employees Council 220, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to provide updates on the Social Security Administration’s staffing issues after a recent announcement that several offices will be shut down in 2024. Rick Miedema, Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 997 in Fort Worth, Texas, returned to the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to update the situation with Molson Coors and Local 997’s contract negotiations. Miedema talked about the support they’ve received since going on strike and the call for a boycott of all Molson Coors products nationwide.

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent first contract ratification at Equitas Health in Ohio. Cropper also spoke about an ongoing organizing campaign that is beginning its union election process, and a research group focusing on improving Teacher’s workplace stress. James Cahill, Vice President of the Labor and Trust Department for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Taft-Hartley Trust Funds and how unions use the trusts to prevent shifting rising healthcare costs onto members.

Ed Hill, Jr., International Representative, Business Development for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 3rd District joined the America’s Workforce Union Podcast and discussed the importance of the PLA announced between the North American Building Trades Union (NABTU) and Equinor for the Empire Wind project off the coast of New York. Author Jonathan Rigsby appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about his upcoming book Drive, which he wrote to outline the issues he’s faced as a part-time gig worker and what needs to be done to help drivers avoid being taken advantage of by ride-share companies.

Jared Cassity, the Alternate National Legislative Director of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Transportation Division (SMART TD), joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the new ruling setting a minimum of two-person crews for all trains and discussed the everyday improvements that the Rail Safety Act could provide and how close he believes it is to passing. Labor Lawyer, Andrew Strom, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the upcoming Starbucks Corp. v. McKinney case before the U.S. Supreme Court that could impact the strength of the National Labor Relations Board.