Union Strong

On the latest episode of the Union Strong podcast, our guest is New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. Commissioner Reardon discusses a variety of topics including the unemployed, job creation, apprenticeship programs, workplace safety and the role unions play in all of it.   https://dol.ny.gov/

Newly elected AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler joins us on the Union Strong podcast to talk about Labor’s priorities and what’s behind the growing support of labor unions. 

The Essential workers at United Metro Energy Corporation in Brooklyn, New York have been on strike since mid-April. The oil terminal workers are fighting for their first union contract after joining Teamsters Local 553 in 2019. On the latest Union Strong podcast Andre Soleyn, a terminal worker and leader of the strike, talks about their fight to get what they deserve and their determination to pre...

One year ago, the New York State AFL-CIO created a Social Justice Task Force to serve as a forum for frank and honest dialogue, and more importantly a vehicle for real and meaningful change to make our society and our movement more equitable and just for New Yorkers of color. On the latest episode of the Union Strong podcast, CSEA Executive Vice President Denise Berkley is our guest. As a member o...

The campaign to unionize workers at the Amazon Warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama has been referred to as the most important labor struggle in more than half a century. We know the outcome as announced three months ago by the National Labor Relations Board, which determined workers voted against joining a union. That outcome is being challenged by The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDS...

The labor movement had a lengthy agenda going into the 2021 legislative session, particularly because of the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. On the latest episode of the Union Strong podcast, we look back at what was an incredibly successful year for labor. New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento is our special guest.  Detailed breakdown can be found at https://online.flippingbook.com/v...

The labor movement has a long history of feeding the hungry. During the height of the COVID -19 pandemic meals were provided to more than 125,000 families across an 11-county region around Albany, New York. But now, even with continued signs of recovery, food insecurity remains high, and volunteers are already closing in on serving even more families in 2021. On this podcast we visit a food bank i...

After more than a year of COVID-19, Stories of Hope might be exactly what we need.  On the latest Union Strong podcast, we learn about the Donate Life program in New York State.  We will bring you the story of a 5th generation Local 3 IBEW member who is a living donor and a separate story from a retired GMP member whose life was saved through organ donation.   https://donatelifenys.org/

The latest episode of the Union Strong podcast reports on violence in New York City’s subways. In a pre-recorded interview on Friday, May 14, TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano talked about the need for more police in the subways to keep his members and riders safe. The following Monday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio finally answered the union’s demands. While this is a big win for TWU, Presi...

Liz Egan is a registered nurse at Albany Medical Center who describes working throughout the height of the COVID pandemic as, "terrifying."  She is among the nurses who rose to the challenge during COVID, treating patients and saving lives under unimaginable circumstances. On this podcast, a look behind the scenes at a hospital where nurses are called heroes but treated much differently.  Nurses a...

The New York State budget for 2021-2022 addresses a health and economic crisis like we have never experienced. Fortunately, the President's American Rescue Plan, which labor supported, was enacted. It provided $350 billion in aid to state and local governments. On this podcast, the President of the New York State AFL-CIO, Mario Cilento talks about how the solidarity of the Labor Movement led to hi...

Workers in America favor unions and tens of millions of Americans want to join one. So, what is stopping them? Our labor laws are outdated. On this podcast we take a deep dive into a generational opportunity that is on our doorstep; passing the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, also known as the PRO Act. New York State AFL-CIO Chief of Staff Ryan Delgado joins the podcast to explain what the P...

The longest serving president of the Western New York Area Labor Federation decides it is time to step aside. On this podcast, a conversation with Richard Lipsitz who spent nearly five decades fighting for the working class. Richard reflects on labor’s past and looks ahead to the many challenges and opportunities for the labor movement's future. 

The New York State AFL-CIO recently held a labor revenue forum to discuss the impact of the pandemic and the vital need for new revenue sources. On this podcast, Ron Deutsch, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness lays out the backdrop of what we are facing during this pandemic and explains how New York can raise needed revenue and restore fairness in the tax code. Then union member...

In New York City, the music industry supports nearly 60,000 jobs and accounts for roughly $5 billion in wages with an economic impact of $21 billion.  Today, the industry is in crisis. The lives of performing artists have been upended by the COVID pandemic. When the arts industry was quickly shut down it led to mass unemployment. And it is an industry that is expected to be among the last to reope...

As we continue to work our way through one of the most challenging health and economic crises in our nation’s history, New York State is facing a multibillion-dollar budget deficit at a time when more and more New Yorkers are relying on vital public services. The need for adequate state funding could not be more glaring. One way to address the budget deficit is by legalizing adult-use cannabis. It...

Learning from a diverse group of union leaders from all different sectors of the Labor Movement is powerful and rewarding. It is part of what takes place at the New York State AFL-CIO/Cornell Union Leadership Institute (ULI). On this podcast, DC 37 Director of Field Operations Barbara Terrelonge talks about her own experience going through the ULI program including memorable car rides that made al...

It has been described as Norma Rae meets Hamilton - a union movie about a union story with a love story woven throughout. Stand! Is the number one Canadian movie musical that is now available in U. S. theaters, virtually. On this podcast the film producer, Danny Schur talks about the valuable lessons from the film and how relatable it is to what is happening here in the U.S. today.

On this podcast our guest is Mike Neidl, Legislative Director at the NYS AFL-CIO. Mike will go over labor’s 2021 legislative agenda which was unanimously passed by the New York State AFL-CIO Executive Board earlier this month. The agenda focuses on lifting up working people by putting in place protections for essential workers and providing support for all workers who continue to suffer as a resul...

There is a new president of the union that represents New York State Police Investigators. On this podcast, Tim Dymond talks about changes and challenges ahead for law enforcement and what he wants people to know about the investigators he represents. 

Nurses represented by the New York State Nurses Association have authorized a one-day strike after rejecting a contract offer from Albany Medical Center Hospital. On this podcast we take you outside the hospital where nurses and supporters have gathered to talk about working conditions in the hospital and to explain why nurses have been pushed to the point of walking out during one of the worst pa...

The voters have spoken – Democracy is prevailing. President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are already moving our country forward with plans to beat COVID-19, and get our economy back on track by putting working people first.   On this podcast New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento breaks down what the Biden Presidency means for working people and what it will mean...

Airline industry workers, like so many others during this unprecedented health and economic crisis, are teetering on the edge.  Thousands of airline workers have already received furlough notices, thousands more are wondering if they will be next – and their future lies in the hands of our federal government still unable or unwilling to agree on desperately needed funding to save jobs and support...

With just weeks to go before the general election, we hear from a labor activist who also ran her own successful political campaign on the importance of getting out the vote. Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Council Director Jenn Puja talks about the power behind labor’s endorsement, running for office as a woman and a mother of two, and why it’s so important to get involved. NYS AFL-CIO Chief of...

Broadway, one of the biggest tourist destinations in New York City will remain closed for the rest of the year and New York's Metropolitan Opera just canceled its entire season because of the coronavirus.    On this podcast we hear from James Claffey Jr., president of Local One of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) on when and how live performances will return and how...