America’s Work Force Union Podcast

The worker's share of Gross National Income just hit its lowest level ever recorded. Corporate profits just hit their highest share in nearly 80 years. And CEOs took home $1.24 million in raises last year while average workers earned around $50,000. AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond has seen enough. On this episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast, Redmond breaks down the new GNI data,...

Central Ohio is on pace to work 20 million building trades hours in 2026 — nearly double its 2023 record. So when Governor Mike DeWine suspended Ohio's data center sales tax exemption without warning or consultation, Columbus Building Trades Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dorsey Hager had plenty to say about it. On this episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast, Hager breaks down the economic c...

Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga just wrapped a seven-city labor roundtable tour across Ohio — and the message from workers was the same at every stop. Affordability is the number one issue, trust in government is near rock bottom and working people are ready for something dramatically different come November. On this episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast, Burga breaks down what he heard f...

Taylor Dobson was a fast food shift lead being pushed toward assistant manager when she decided enough was enough. Today she is a first-year carpenter apprentice with Carpenter's Local 174 in Chicago, working on solar farm projects and building a career she always wanted but never knew how to access. On this episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast, Taylor walks us through her path from Dunki...

When Live Nation and Ticketmaster make the news, the conversation usually starts and ends with ticket prices. But the real crisis goes much deeper. In this episode, we sit down with Karen Suarez-Flint, Secretary-Treasurer of the Chicago Federation of Musicians Local 10-208, to expose the systemic extraction of wealth from the working musicians who hold the entire industry up. What We Discuss in Th...

Every victory at the bargaining table starts with workers standing together—but solidarity means looking out for each other's minds as well as their livelihoods. In this episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, host Ed "Flash" Ferenc sits down with John Lepley, Director of Education and Membership Development at the United Steelworkers (USW). Marking both Mental Health Awareness Month and th...

As America’s energy infrastructure undergoes a massive evolution, one critical trade is quietly keeping it all efficient: mechanical insulation. On today's episode of the America's Work Force Union Podcast, host Ed "Flash" Ferenc welcomes back Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT), for his monthly update. Pete reveals the latest beh...

Is American manufacturing fighting a losing battle against corporate greed and foreign markets? On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we welcome back our independent labor voice, Tom Buffenbarger (Retired International President of the IAM Union). With over 50 years of labor experience, Buffenbarger delivers a masterclass on the current geopolitical and legislative battles...

While veteran students pursuing a four-year degree receive 100% of their monthly housing allowance for the duration of their program, veterans entering union apprenticeships face a steep penalty: their housing support is slashed by 20% every six months. In this episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we sit down with Joseph Sharpe Jr. (Director of the National Veterans Employment and Educat...

What does it actually mean to support our military veterans when they transition to civilian life? It goes far beyond a simple "thank you for your service." It means providing a direct path to a good life, a strong career, and an industry culture that protects their mental well-being. On this special Memorial Day episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast, host Ed "Flash" Ferenc sits down with...

The labor movement is done waiting for a seat at the table—workers are fighting for survival at the federal level and running for legislative seats locally. In this episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we examine the dual realities of modern union power: the defensive structural protections of our public infrastructure and the offensive strategy of electoral politics. Part 1: The Federal...

Artificial intelligence is moving fast, but union journalists are fighting back even faster. In today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, host Ed "Flash" Ferenc sits down with Jon Schleuss, President of the NewsGuild-CWA, fresh off his historic election to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) executive committee in Paris. Representing journalists across 100 countries,...

On today's episode of the America's Work Force Union Podcast, we are covering a massive amount of ground—from the halls of the Ohio Statehouse to the structural healthcare barriers facing union moms across the country. Segment 1: Ohio Labor Under Fire with Melissa Cropper Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) and Secretary-Treasurer of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joins the show...

What happens when local politicians prioritize budget spreadsheets over public safety? In this episode, we visited with IAFF Local 1120 President Jeremy Gillam from the Bucyrus City Fire Department in Ohio. Gillam shares the harsh reality of leading an 18-member department stretched to its absolute limit, forcing first responders to fight not just fires but also city council budget cuts. Key Takea...

On this episode of the America's Work Force Union Podcast, host Ed "Flash" Ferenc welcomes Dr. Michael MacDonald, director of audiology, and Rick Renna, chief growth officer of Birdsong Hearing Benefits. More than 22 million American workers face hazardous noise levels on the job, yet fewer than 16% of adults with hearing loss use hearing aids. MacDonald and Renna break down the severe economic, p...

The federal government is facing a crisis of accountability and a race against the clock. In today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we tackle two massive stories affecting millions of American veterans and retirees. From untracked billions in government spending to the legislative battle to save Social Security, we look at the issues defining the 2026 midterm elections. Segment...

Labor momentum in D.C.’s entertainment industry isn't just growing—it’s compounding. IATSE Local 22 Vice President Nick Arancibia and Business Agent Ryan Chavka join the show to discuss their third major regional theater victory in six years: Arena Stage. We dive into how a "bombshell" management demand for 60-hour workweeks at Signature Theatre sparked a movement that changed NLRB case law, and w...

From the legislative battles of the Midwest to historic street mobilizations in Southern California, the labor movement is currently the front line of defense for the American working class. Today, we look at how union leaders are responding to fiscal threats and federal pressure. Segment 1: The $21 Billion Threat in Ohio We’re joined by Frank Mathews, Administrative Director of CWA District 4, to...

In one of the fastest-growing communities in the country, public safety is struggling to keep pace with the pavement. Billy Colburn, past president and election manager for IAFF Local 3082, joins the America's Work Force Union Podcast to sound the alarm on a critical staffing crisis in Round Rock, Texas. Despite a study revealing the department has 0% capability of meeting national safety standard...

The broadcast industry is facing a "gut punch," but the labor movement is punching back. In today’s episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast, host Ed "Flash" Ferenc navigates the two-sided reality of the 2026 labor landscape: an industry in crisis and a workforce in ascent. Segment 1: The Fight for the Voice of Journalism Mary Cavallaro, Chief Broadcast Officer for SAG-AFTRA, delivers an unfl...

The federal government may be swinging the hammer, but workers are building anyway. Jennifer Sherer, deputy director of the Economic Policy Institute's Economic Analysis and Research Network, joins the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a moment of startling contrasts. Despite a hostile federal environment, approximately 463,000 workers joined unions in 2025. Sherer breaks down how stat...

In the construction industry, the most dangerous threat isn’t always a falling object or a site accident—it’s the silent crisis of mental health. In this powerful episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we sit down with Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York and the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council. Timed with Men...

The landscape for working people in Ohio is shifting fast. In this episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we look at the immediate aftermath of the high-stakes Ohio primary elections and dive into the real-world economic pressures facing local job seekers—from the rapid rise of AI to the expansion of gig-style healthcare work. Segment 1: Ohio Primary Day Breakdown with Tim Burga Fresh off...

The Pacific Northwest is at the epicenter of America's green energy future—but building the grid isn't happening fast enough. In this episode, Travis Eri, Business Manager of IBEW Local 125, joins America’s Work Force Union Podcast for a candid look at the state of union electrical work across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. While data center growth and wildfire-hardening projects are keep...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was once the global gold standard for public health. Today, it faces an existential workforce crisis. In this high-stakes episode, Yolanda Jacobs, President of AFGE Local 2883, pulls back the curtain on the "systematic dismantling" of the CDC. From the elimination of the agency’s EEO office to the mass terminations that left critical health prog...