America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Labor leadership isn’t just about the good days—it’s about holding the line when the pressure is at its peak. On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we’re looking at two different fronts where workers are standing their ground. Segment 1: The Human Cost of the TSA Shutdown We’re joined by Johnny Jones, Secretary-Treasurer of AFGE TSA Council 100. Jones pulls back the curtain...

Artificial Intelligence might be living in the digital ether, but it’s built on a foundation of concrete, steel and highly specialized mechanical insulation. On today’s episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we’re joined by Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT). Ielmini breaks down why the AI-driven data center boom is about...

The America’s Work Force Union Podcast tackles two of the most pressing issues facing the modern industrial landscape: the long-term health of construction workers and the strategic strength of our national defense. Segment 1: 10 Years of Silica Progress Lily Calderon, Health and Safety Director for the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC), joins us to mark the 10th ann...

Safety isn't just about a checklist—it’s about a culture that protects the person, not just the project. On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we host a powerhouse panel from the Iron Workers Union and the Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT). Joining us are International President Kevin Bryenton, Director of Safety and Health Wayne Creasap, a...

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we tackle the critical intersection of benefit access and public safety. In Segment 1, Tera Clizbe, the first female chair of the Blue Cross Blue Shield National Labor Office Executive Board, discusses the evolution of labor-focused healthcare. She breaks down why strong benefits only matter if members can navigate the system, the rising u...

Today on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we tackle two critical issues facing the American workforce: the "benefit cliff" for veterans entering apprenticeships and the rising tide of AI-driven scams targeting Social Security recipients. Segment 1: Jeff Stoffer (American Legion) Jeff Stoffer, Director of the American Legion’s Media and Communications Division, joins the show to discuss the...

IFPTE Secretary-Treasurer Gay Henson joins the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her journey from nuclear safety at the TVA, the fight to protect federal expertise and the vital role of women in the 2026 labor movement. On today’s episode, host Ed "Flash" Ferenc sits down with Gay Henson, a leader whose career bridges the gap between scientific precision and labor activism. From her st...

Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) President Melissa Cropper joins the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the legislative "power plays" targeting public education, the pushback against classroom mandates, and the latest union organizing victories across the state. Host Ed "Flash" Ferenc welcomes Melissa Cropper back to the show for a deep dive into the 2026 legislative landscape in Colum...

Ironworkers Local 63 member Paul Goodrich joins the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the specialized role of architectural ironworkers, the importance of labor history in apprenticeship, and the growing movement to support recovery and mental health in the trades. On today’s episode, host Ed "Flash" Ferenc sits down with Paul Goodrich, a member of Ironworkers Local 63 in Chicago. With...

Technology is reshaping the American workplace, but who decides the rules of engagement? In today's episode, we sit down with two major labor leaders to discuss how unions are ensuring workers aren't left behind by infrastructure shifts or digital automation. Segment 1: Broadband Justice & Inclusive Leadership Frank Mathews, Administrative Director for CWA District 4, joins the show to discuss...

Segment 1: UAW Region 4’s Kelli Harrison on Safety and Women’s Committees In our first segment, we welcome Kelli Harrison, UAW Region 4 Political and Legislative Coordinator. Harrison shares her journey from a small Illinois town impacted by industrial contamination to leading a 12-state region for the United Auto Workers. She discusses the critical link between shop-floor safety and women’s commi...

In a historic conversation for Women’s History Month and our second-ever Trades Day, we are joined by Roxanne Brown, the 10th International President of the United Steelworkers (USW). As the first woman to lead North America’s largest industrial union, Brown shares her journey from an immigrant household in Jamaica to the halls of power in Washington, D.C. She discusses the unique challenges facin...

What does it actually take to be "the first"? In this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we sit down with Haley Stevenson, the first female firefighter in the history of IAFF Local 555 and the Galesburg Fire Department. Haley pulls back the curtain on the "hiring gauntlet"—from the grueling physical combat challenge to the mental pressure of the fire academy. We also dive into a cr...

Welcome to the debut of Trades Day on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast! In this inaugural segment, host Ed “Flash” Ferenc is joined by Cara Siegel, a Journeyperson with IBEW Local 601 and an instructor for the East Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council. Siegel provides an inside look at Illinois’ Hire360 pre-apprenticeship model—a game-changing pipeline that is bridging t...

The frontline of healthcare and the frontier of tech are colliding. In this episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we tackle two of the most significant shifts facing the American worker today: the healthcare staffing crisis and the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence. National Nurses United (NNU) with Mary Turner, NNU President Mary Turner discusses the "Red Alert Hospital Tour." As cor...

The Workforce Pipeline: From Data Centers to National Leadership On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we go inside the two engines driving the modern labor movement: massive infrastructure build-outs and the development of the next generation of union leaders. Segment 1: Central Ohio’s Construction Revolution Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central...

"It’s education’s best-kept secret." During Women in Construction Week, we’re going beyond the recruitment posters to talk about what it actually takes to build a career in the electrical industry. Joining the America’s Work Force Union Podcast is Diana Limon, Director of Women Recruitment and Support at IBEW Local 11 in Los Angeles. Diana didn’t follow a family pipeline into the trades—she found...

Women in Construction Week is about more than just a recruitment campaign—it’s about a workforce reality. Joining the America’s Work Force Union Podcast is Krissy Webber, Business Manager of the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local 97 in Illinois. As one of the few women leading a construction local, Webber offers a blunt assessment of why the industry must evolve to mee...

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we celebrate Women in Construction Week with a deep dive into the intersection of public policy, labor power, and gender equity. Our guest, Carol Kim, Business Manager of the San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council, shares the "San Diego Story"—a blueprint for how labor can reverse anti-union legislation to build a massive, stab...

“Do not wait to be perfect.” That is the message AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler has for the next generation of women leaders as we kick off Women’s History Month and Women in Construction Week 2026 on the America's Work Force Union Podcast. In this wide-ranging episode, Shuler joins us to discuss the historic momentum of the labor movement, where public support has reached nearly 70 percent. We expl...

In today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we go behind the scenes of two major labor victories where workers refused to back down in the face of corporate pressure. Segment 1: USW District 1 & Libbey Glass (0:00 - 15:30) USW District 1 Director Donnie Blatt joins the show to recap the conclusion of a grueling five-month strike at Libbey Glass in Toledo. Blatt details how th...

In today's episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we explore two critical fronts of the labor movement: proactive workforce development in the trades and the legal defense of bargaining unit integrity. Segment 1: Masonry’s Next Generation in Central NY Daren Gulliver, Training Director for BAC Local 2, discusses a successful partnership with New York’s Boards of Cooperative Educational...

In this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we dive deep into the two pillars of a thriving labor movement: professional excellence in the business of construction and inclusive recruitment that reaches remote communities. Segment 1: The Business of the Trades with Pete Ielmini Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT), d...

In this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we examine the intersection of trade policy, healthcare funding and the rising tide of union organizing across the United States. Segment 1: The High Cost of Broad Tariffs Retired International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) International President Tom Buffenbarger joins host Ed “Flash” Ferenc to break down the real-...

The labor movement is shifting from a defensive crouch to a bold offensive strategy. On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we welcome two major voices in the labor movement to discuss the data behind the union resurgence and the legislative fight for worker safety. Segment 1: The Resurgence of American Unions Dave Kamper, Senior Strategist for the Economic Policy Institute...