Union Strong

As Primary Election Day approaches, the stakes for working people have never been higher. Every endorsement made by the New York State AFL-CIO carries significant weight, and candidates seeking that endorsement must earn it by meeting a high threshold. On the latest Union Strong podcast, we sit down with our Political Director Kevin Eitzmann to take you inside our endorsement process, explore what...

For 17 years, the journalists and media workers of the Albany Newspaper Guild have been working without a contract at the Times Union. They haven’t spoken about their fight publicly until now. On the latest Union Strong Podcast, we’re diving into their story: what it means to report the news that so many rely on while facing your own uncertainty, why this contract fight has stretched on for nearly...

On March 8, thousands of union members packed the MVP Arena in Albany in an incredible show of solidarity, calling on the Governor and State Legislature to Fix Tier 6 in this year’s budget. In this episode of the Union Strong podcast, we break down how we got here, take you inside the arena for a firsthand look at the rally, and hear from New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento about what c...

New York State Assemblyman Harry Bronson’s journey from a childhood of hardship to becoming a champion for workers is inspiring. As one of 12 siblings growing up without indoor plumbing, and at times, no running water, he saw firsthand the struggles his parents faced working low-wage jobs for companies that did not offer collective bargaining. It was those early experiences that shaped his dedicat...

Unemployment benefits just got a significant boost in New York State. This long-awaited increase, championed by the union movement, raises important questions: How much did the benefit go up? Who qualifies? How long can you collect? New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon joins us to break down what’s changed, why it matters, and what workers need to know. Resources: Visit...

Women’s professional basketball has been on a roll, enjoying record growth, and it keeps getting better. The WNBA recently signed a massive television contract, merchandise sales have increased, and attendance has reached historic levels, including right here in New York at the New York Liberty games. Yet the players responsible for that growth don’t get a single share of all that revenue – and th...

We are now in the second week of a government shutdown, one that has been described as calculated, cruel, and chaotic, and, unfortunately, there’s still no end in sight. On the latest episode of the Union Strong podcast, we are joined by the President of the New York State AFL-CIO, who sheds light on how this shutdown will affect working people, the services we rely on, and what we can do moving f...

The Better in a Union Bus Tour has been making its way across the country from the East Coast to the Midwest and the South, and now it's rolled into New York State! On the latest episode of the Union Strong podcast, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler invites us aboard the bus for a candid conversation about what’s top of mind for working people right now, and what the union movement is calling for this...

On the latest episode of the Union Strong Podcast, we’re diving into a game-changing new resource that reveals just how much New York depends on federal funding—and what the recently passed federal budget bill will mean for New Yorkers. Our guest is New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, who breaks down his newly released guide to federal funding. If you care about healthcare, education, food pr...

The Federal Budget Bill currently before the Senate is being called One Big, Beautiful Bill by its supporters, but U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand calls it a Big, Beautiful Betrayal of working people. On the latest episode of the Union Strong Podcast, Sen. Gillibrand discusses what is included in the bill, the impact the cuts would have on New Yorkers, and what you can do about it. She also discus...

Fighting on behalf of working people can take many forms, from organizing a union so workers have a voice on the job to getting involved in political campaigns to elect leaders who will fight for working people or participating in a rally or march to draw attention to an issue impacting workers. It can also take the form of lobbying—meeting with legislative representatives to discuss the issues th...

The executive orders from President Trump are hitting workers hard and fast, leaving them in a constant state of uncertainty about their job security. These drastic changes are not just shaking up the workforce but also endangering vital public services that millions of Americans rely on. In this episode of the Union Strong Podcast, we will hear the personal story of a disabled Army Veteran who lo...

On the latest episode of the Union Strong podcast, we sit down with New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon to discuss the key workforce elements in the Governor's budget proposal, including worker protections, investments in childcare, workforce training initiatives, and more. Tune in for insights that could help shape the future of work. Website: https://dol.ny.gov/   New...

In this episode, we are diving into the legislative priorities of the Union Movement for 2025. Join us as we unpack the critical issues impacting workers today—from the rise of AI and its effect on jobs to the ongoing battle for pro-worker policies in the face of swift changes at the federal level. Our guest is New York State AFL-CIO Legislative Director Mike Neidl, who shares insights on the chal...

NYSNA nurses at Albany Medical Center have sounded the alarm about the staffing crisis at the hospital, bravely sharing stories of patients being cared for on emergency room stretchers instead of hospital beds, nurses stretched too thin, and patient care suffering. On this episode of the Union Strong podcast, we will hear from nurses firsthand about the need for a fair contract that finally addres...

Kate Mullany, the pioneer who established the first female union in the United States in Troy, NY, is a figure of immense significance. However, there is a growing concern that many kids are not learning about her role in the union movement or the broader history of unions. The American Labor Studies Center is working to change that. Join us on this episode of the Union Strong podcast to learn abo...

Every year, thousands of workers are injured or become ill on the job. In New York State there is a unique network of occupational health clinics available to workers to prevent injuries and illnesses. In this podcast, we talk to the medical director at one of the clinics to learn about the services available and how workers can access them.   Resources: Occupational Health Clinic Network website:...

The 2024 Legislative Session is underway.  On the latest Union Strong podcast we break down some of the priorities for the Union Movement with New York State AFL-CIO Legislative Director Mike Neidl. Stay up to date on NYS AFL-CIO legislative initiatives.

The New York State Nurses Association is celebrating groundbreaking contract victories and they are building on their solidarity for more fights ahead. On the latest Union Strong podcast, we hear from Nancy Hagans, president of NYSNA and National Nurses United on their fight to prioritize patient care. --- Sign this petition to demand that Ellis Medicine invest in safe patient care, invest in nurs...

Melinda Person is an educator, mother of 4, yoga instructor, and Ironman triathlete. She serves as a member of the New York State AFL-CIO Executive Council, and she's the new president of the nearly 700 thousand-member New York State United Teachers – the largest union in the state. On the latest Union Strong podcast, Melinda talks about the top priorities for NYSUT, discusses some of the challeng...

On the latest Union Strong podcast, our guest is Mario Cilento, the President of the New York State AFL-CIO.  In this wide-ranging interview, President Cilento talks about the energy he sees, right now, within the Union Movement and why we are seeing more workers making the difficult decision to strike. He discusses a critical new law passed in New York State that will remove a barrier to union or...

Kyle Viverito is an electrician and member of IBEW Local 3.  Not too long ago, while on the job doing electrical work at an NHL arena, he started singing and it did not go unnoticed. He caught the attention of management, and the next thing he knew, he was performing there. On the latest Union Strong podcast, we will introduce you to the man known as the singing electrician. See Kyle sing at Union...

There has been a surge in union activity across the country with more workers deciding to join unions and demanding improved working conditions. One of those regions is in Buffalo, New York, home to the first unionized Starbucks that set into motion a wave of organizing at Starbucks stores across the United States. On the latest Union Strong podcast, Peter De Jesus, the President of the Western Ne...

The 2023 legislative session has come to an end and there are some big victories for workers including various worker protections and improved Workers’ Compensation. On the latest Union Strong podcast, our guest is the Legislative Director at the New York State AFL-CIO, Mike Neidl. Mike breaks down the list of legislative victories and explains what they mean to workers. See the 2023 End of Sessio...

We are celebrating our 100th episode by diving into the historic writers’ strike that is making headlines across the country.  Our guest is the Executive Director of the Writers Guild of America East, Lowell Peterson, who will give us an overview of what this strike, by film and television writers, is all about.  But first – to commemorate our 100th episode and look to the future of staying Union...