Spark The Trade

BP's dispute with USW Local 7-1 is about far more than a contract. Union President Eric Schultz explains why workers believe the company's planned lockout is a calculated attempt to weaken organized labor—not just at one refinery, but across the industry. We discuss BP's proposal, national oil bargaining, the use of replacement workers reportedly earning up to $127 per hour, and what&#...

Most people still think of union labor as a relic of the past. The reality is a lot different. In this episode, Frank Callahan, President of the Massachusetts Building Trades Unions, breaks down how organized labor is a massive economic engine driving more than $75 billion into Massachusetts alone and why union labor consistently delivers stronger productivity, better training, and long-term value...

Everyone keeps saying there’s a labor shortage in the trades… but the reality on the ground tells a different story. After speaking with IBEW Local 291, it’s clear the work is there. Locals like 291 are staying busy and actively looking for people. So what’s the real issue? It might not be a lack of opportunity… it might be a lack of visibility. We break down how unions empower workers, what organ...

Most people think the trades are just about hard labor. They’re wrong. In this episode, we break down the real journey of John McLaughlin — from getting laid off as an ironworker to becoming a leader in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. This isn’t just a career switch story. It’s about stability, benefits, leadership, and what actually happens when you get involved in your union...

The data center boom is here and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers District 7 is right in the middle of it. With Texas set to become the largest data center hub in the country, thousands of projects are on the table and billions of dollars are being spent. The real question is simple. Who’s going to build it? In this episode of Spark The Trade, we sit down with District 7 leadership...

What does it actually take to go from apprentice to leading one of the strongest unions in the country? In this episode, I sit down with Lou Antonellis — Business Manager of IBEW Local 103 in Boston, journeyman wireman, and a 35-year union member — to break down what’s really happening inside the trades right now. We get into leadership, the disconnect between the hall and the field, and why trust...

What’s really going on inside the skilled trades right now — and why do so many workers feel unheard? In this episode, I sit down with an IBEW electrician from Local 322 — NIC Electric — to talk about apprenticeship, union leadership, and the real truth about working in the trades today. From starting out as an apprentice to stepping into leadership, NIC breaks down what he saw early on that pushe...

What does a union organizer actually do? In this episode, I sit down with Rob Wilson, an organizer with IBEW Local 611 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to talk about the real work behind organizing electricians, building relationships in the trades, and addressing some of the biggest misconceptions people have about unions. Rob is a third-generation wireman with more than 20 years in the electrical ind...

In this conversation, Noah from Spanky the Sparky interviews Diarmid Campbell from IBEW 520 about the current state of the electrical trade in Texas. They discuss the shortage of skilled electricians, the challenges posed by new training programs that reduce required on-the-job training hours, and the implications of these changes on safety and industry standards. The conversation also touches on...

In this conversation, Noah from Spanky The Sparky interviews Aaron from UA Local 486 in Baltimore, discussing the benefits of union membership, the transition from non-union to union work, and the importance of safety and training in the trades. Aaron shares his personal journey, emphasizing the value of pensions, job security, and the reputation one builds in the industry. The discussion also tou...

In this conversation, RJ Noguera shares his journey from being a non-union electrician to becoming a journeyman wireman with IBEW Local 640 in Phoenix, Arizona. He discusses the challenges and advantages of starting his career later in life, the importance of union membership, and the lessons learned throughout his journey. RJ emphasizes the value of respect and communication in leadership roles o...

In this conversation, Noah from Spanky the Sparky interviews Roger Medeiros, a member of IBEW Local 1186 in Honolulu, Hawaii (apprentice). They discuss Roger's background, including his upbringing in a close-knit community, his journey through education and work, and his transition from a potential career in film to the electrical trade. Roger shares insights on the importance of resilience, f...

In this conversation, Noah from Spanky the Sparky interviews Jon Webb, the apprenticeship director at IBEW Local 490. They discuss Jon's unconventional journey into the trades, the importance of diverse experiences in shaping teaching methods, and the value of trade education as a viable career path. Jon shares insights into the challenges of growing union membership in New Hampshire, the sign...

In this conversation, Noah from Spanky the Sparky interviews Sean Allen, the president of Local 21 of the Bricklayers Allied Craft Workers in Chicago. They discuss Sean's legacy in the union, the importance of social media in attracting younger workers to the trades, the challenges unions face today, and the need for transparency and effective communication within the union structure. Sean emp...

In this conversation, Noah from Spanky the Sparky interviews Theo Hill from IBEW Local 291 in Boise, Idaho. They discuss the importance of union representation, the role of a steward, and the benefits of being part of a union. Theo shares his experiences in the electrical trade, the significance of continuous learning, and the impact of technology on the industry. They also touch on mental health...

In this conversation, Noah from Spanky the Sparky interviews Bryan Johannson from IBEW Local 993, exploring Bryan's journey in the electrical trade. They discuss the transition from non-union to union work, the importance of math in electrical work, and the various pathways to becoming an electrician in Canada. Bryan shares insights on certifications, a typical day in the life of a service van...

In this episode of Spanky The Sparky, host Noah interviews Diarmid Campbell, an organizer and assistant business agent from IBEW Local 520 in San Angelo, Texas. Diarmid shares his journey into the electrical trade, starting from his background in HVAC to his transition into the electrical field and ultimately joining the union. He emphasizes the importance of transparency in the trades and aims to...

In this episode, Noah from Spanky the Sparky interviews Johnny Rivera, a member of IBEW Local 479 in Beaumont, Texas. Johnny shares his journey from non-union to union work, emphasizing the significant benefits he has experienced since joining the union. He discusses the lack of benefits in non-union jobs, such as retirement plans and job security, and contrasts this with the support and protectio...

In this episode, Noah from Spanky The Sparky interviews Alex Wakeland, a seasoned member of the IBEW Local 145, who shares his journey from aspiring psychologist to contractor lineman. Alex discusses the importance of transparency in the trades and the need for better communication about the realities of working in this field. He emphasizes the value of conversations like theirs in breaking down m...

Take a dive into the life of IBEW 683 journeyman Tad Millington. With over 15 total years in the electrical field, with a many of those being non-union we discuss the big differences between union and non-union electrical work.

Josh Nieves is an IBEW local 3 journeyman. IBEW local 3 is based in New York City. We talk about his rise through the ranks from Apprentice, to journeyman, to superintendent. We discuss challenges in the trades, the short falls, and how social media plays a critical component in attracting new talent into the trades.

Take a dive with my as I interview current IBEW 176 journeyman wireman Phil Darin out of Joliet, Illinois. Follow his journey from college graduate at the University of Illinois to a journeyman inside wireman.

I chat with Jayson Richardson from Cleveland Builds - a non profit based in Cleveland, Ohio that gets individuals ready for union apprenticeships through their pre apprenticeship programs.

In Episode 1 of Spark The Trade, I sit down with Brody Rutledge — better known online as Union Strong — to have a real conversation about the trades. We get into the realities of working in the skilled trades, what people don’t see from the outside, and the conversations that actually matter to those in the field. No fluff, no corporate spin — just honest talk from someone living it. This series i...