Blue Collar News

Send us Fan Mail What do working people actually want from politics—and who is really representing them? On this episode of Blue Collar News , Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small sits down with longtime labor educator, author, political economist, and Labor Institute co-founder Les Leopold for a wide-ranging conversation about working-class America, organized labor, economic inequality...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Blue Collar News , we sit down with Judge Amy Eddy , who is running for the Montana Supreme Court. Judge Eddy talks about her background, her legal career, and the experiences that led her to seek a seat on Montana’s highest court. We discuss her work as a judge, what she believes the role of a Supreme Court justice requires, and the importance of judicial indep...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Blue Collar News , we sit down with Michael Eisenhauer , an Independent candidate running for Congress in Montana, to get to know the person behind the campaign and why he decided to step into politics for the first time. Eisenhauer talks about his background, his career in medicine and military service, and what ultimately led him to believe it was time to run...

Send us Fan Mail This episode of Blue Collar News takes us directly to the picket line with UFCW Local 1889 workers at Harvest Foods in Great Falls, where the fight for working people is happening right in the community. Independent U.S. Senate candidate Seth Bodnar stopped by the picket line to show his support for the workers and sat down with Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small for...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Blue Collar News , we sit down with Artie Blanco of the AFL-CIO during her visit to Montana for a conversation about the future of the labor movement and the power of working people coming together. From Montana’s skilled trades, healthcare workers, construction workers, energy workers, and transportation workers to the growing national movement to organize for...

Send us Fan Mail Sam Forstag stopped by the Montana AFL-CIO office for a conversation about life on the campaign trail, what he’s hearing from working people across Montana, and why this race matters. Sam also talks about what he hopes to accomplish if—or when—he makes it to Washington, D.C., including his priorities for working families, good-paying jobs, and building an economy that works for Mo...

Send us Fan Mail What does Montana's air quality look like today, and how does the state balance environmental protection with economic growth? On this episode of Blue Collar News , Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small sits down with the Director of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for an in-depth conversation about the issues shaping Montana's future. The...

Send us Fan Mail We're proud to launch Natives in Labor , a special three-part series exploring the opportunities, challenges, and future of the skilled trades in Montana's tribal communities. In this first episode, we take a closer look at prevailing wage —what it is, why it matters, and how it impacts workers, public projects, and tribal economies. Our guests break down common misconce...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to keep experienced nurses at the bedside? On this episode of Blue Collar News , we dive into the ongoing contract negotiations between Montana Nurses Association Local #5 Registered Nurses at St. James Healthcare and Intermountain Health. After months at the bargaining table, nurses share why they're fighting to protect their contract, preserve fair wages,...

Send us Fan Mail We're proud to launch "Natives in Labor," a special three-part series dedicated to the opportunities, challenges, and future of the skilled trades in Montana's tribal communities. Throughout this series, we'll take a closer look at: 🔹 Prevailing Wage — Understanding how prevailing wage laws impact projects, workers, and tribal economies. 🔹 Apprenticeship...

Send us Fan Mail The conversation continues from the 2026 Montana AFL-CIO COPE Convention as our panelists take a deeper dive into what it will take to ensure workers have a seat at the table as AI and data center development accelerate across the country. In Part 2, Adam Haight of LiUNA Local 1686, Kate French of the BlueGreen Alliance, and John Mataya of the AFL-CIO discuss the policies, partner...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to run for public office, and why should working people consider stepping into leadership? In this episode of Blue Collar News , Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small sits down with Curtis Schomer for an honest conversation about running for political office. Together, they discuss the rewards and challenges of campaigning, the realities of serving in e...

Send us Fan Mail What does the rise of artificial intelligence and data centers mean for Montana's workers? In this special episode of Blue Collar News , recorded at the 2026 Montana AFL-CIO COPE Convention, we bring you an insightful panel discussion on "Data Centers, AI & the Future of a Worker-Centered Economy." Moderated during the convention, the conversation features Adam...

Send us Fan Mail In Part Two of Blue Collar News , Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small continues the conversation with Jay Reardon , taking a deeper dive into apprenticeship utilization and why registered apprenticeships remain one of the strongest pathways to a successful career in Montana. Jason and Jay discuss the value apprentices bring to employers, communities, and the state&apos...

On this episode of Blue Collar News , Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small sits down with Jay Reardon to discuss Montana legislation that is creating opportunities for incarcerated individuals through skilled trades education and workforce training. They explore how the legislation expands partnerships with the Montana Department of Corrections to provide inmates with hands-on training...

What happens when several longtime grocery workers is let go, and questions arise about whether union contract protections were followed? Join Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small for a LIVE episode of Blue Collar News as he sits down with Terrie Trettenback to discuss the recent situation involving a worker at Hometown Harvest Foods (formerly Everyday IGA). Together, they explore why c...

Blue Collar News with Jason Small In this episode of Blue Collar News , Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small sits down with Clint Penny , President of the Montana State Building and Construction Trades Council, to discuss the highlights and outcomes of this year's annual convention. Together, they explore the key issues shaping the future of Montana's construction industry, in...

What does the future of work look like in Montana? On this episode of the Blue Collar News Podcast , Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small sits down with Sarah Swanson, Commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor & Industry , for an in-depth conversation about the issues impacting working people across the state. From the current state of Montana's workforce and employment t...

The votes have been counted, and the results are in. Join the Montana AFL-CIO as host, Jason Small, breaks down the outcomes of the Montana Primary Election and what they mean for working people across our state. In this episode, we'll discuss key victories, disappointing defeats, and the races that will shape the future of Montana's workforce. We'll examine how labor-backed candida...

In this episode, Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary, Jason Small, sits down with Chris Dorrington, Director of the Montana Department of Transportation, for a conversation about the current state and future of Montana’s transportation infrastructure. They discuss the ongoing construction season, major road and infrastructure projects across the state, workforce needs, and the importance of invest...

In this special episode, we celebrate the dedication and impact of nurses across the state during National Nurses Week. From long shifts to lifesaving care, Montana’s nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system—and their work doesn’t go unnoticed. We’ll explore how unions are supporting nurses on the front lines, advocating for safer working conditions, fair wages, and stronger communities. J...

The conversation continues with Part 3 of our Unions & Data Centers series—featuring Dan Delbolt, Business Manager of IBEW Local 532 and Chairman of the Montana State Conference of Electrical Workers.  As data center development accelerates across the country, the role of skilled union electricians has never been more critical. In this episode, Dan shares how IBEW Local 532 is helping meet the...

In this follow-up episode, we continue the conversation on the evolving relationship between data centers and organized labor, diving deeper into the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry. Riley McCauley of the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters returns to share frontline insights on how unions are adapting to the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure across the country....

In this episode, the Montana AFL-CIO sits down with the president of LiUNA Local 1686 for a timely conversation on the intersection of organized labor and the rapid expansion of data centers. As demand for digital infrastructure grows, so does the need for a skilled, protected workforce to build and maintain it. Together, they explore what data center development means for Montana workers, how uni...

Last week healthcare providers won an historic election in Montana. On this edition of the Blue Collar news, Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small is joined by Dr. Stuart Bussey, president of the United Association of Physicians and Dentists, and organizer Alexandria Honey to highlight what's needs to be done to improve patient care and what doctors and providers in Kalispell are ne...