Best AFSCME Podcasts (2025)

1
Tom Buffenbarger | Best of 2025: Lee Saunders, AFSCME 50:17

Play Pause

2d ago50:17

50:17

On today’s episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Tom Buffenbarger, retired President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, reflected on the state of the American workforce, the escalating cost of living fueled by rising healthcare premiums, misleading unemployment data and the growing importance of unions in…

1
Dave McCall, USW | Best of 2025: Joe Nantista and Paul Slocomb, BMWED 1:04:31

43m ago1:04:31

1:04:31

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Dave McCall, International President of the United Steelworkers, reflected on the union’s evolution, its leadership transition to Roxanne Brown in 2026 and the challenges and victories that defined his time with the Steelworkers. Continuing the Best of 2025, the America’s Work Force Unio…

1
Zach Story, IBEW Local 210 | Best of 2025: Sylvester Taylor, IBEW Local 1 45:54

1h ago45:54

45:54

Zach Story, Business Manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 210 in southern New Jersey, appeared on the Christmas Day edition of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to share his insights on the union’s current landscape, its organizing efforts and ongoing local initiatives that strengthen ties within the community. …

1
Congresswoman Linda Sanchez | Best of 2025: Sean O’Brien, Teamsters 47:01

21h ago47:01

47:01

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, U.S. Rep. Linda Sanchez, representing California’s 38th Congressional District, joined the show to discuss her advocacy for workers and the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act. Sanchez, a labor lawyer and co-leader of key energy and infrastructure bills, discussed her work with the Mechani…

1
Greg Regan, TTD | Best of 2025: Everett Kelley, AFGE 49:54

3d ago49:54

49:54

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, discussed the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to cancel the Transportation Security Administration workers' collective bargaining agreement, the possible impact of the Protect America's Workforce Act and rece…

1
Talking Archives with the Society of Women Engineers 25:56

3d ago25:56

25:56

Karen Horting, Executive Director and CEO of the Society of Women Engineers, talks about SWE’s archives at the Reuther Library and shares how the 75-year-old organization leverages its history to advocate for the inclusion of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Related Resources: Society of Women Engineers 75th Annive…

1
Jeff Stoffer, American Legion | Rich Fiesta, Alliance for Retired Americans 49:09

6d ago49:09

49:09

Today’s edition of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast featured Jeff Stoffer, Director of the American Legion Media and Communications Division, who discussed the January edition of the American Legion Magazine. He discussed some of the feature stories, like the importance of the United States ratifying the Law of the Sea Convention amid Chinese…

1
Pat O’Gorman and Jesus Ramirez, IUOE Local 399 | Davida Russell, NCLF 53:22

7d ago53:22

53:22

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, two representatives from the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399—Business Agent Pat O'Gorman and Organizer Jesus Ramirez—shared insights into the Local’s efforts to organize in Chicago’s labor landscape. Local 399 represents over 10,000 skilled maintenance employees work…

1
Jordan Barab | Frank Manzo, ILEPI 57:04

8d ago57:04

57:04

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, former Occupational Safety and Health Administration Deputy Assistant Secretary and health and safety advocate Jordan Barab discussed the critical state of worker safety in America. As the author of the Confined Space newsletter and an expert with decades of experience, Barab offered a d…

1
Tony Johnston, CCCTU Local 1600 | Melissa Cropper, OFT 54:49

9d ago54:49

54:49

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we featured Tony Johnston, President of the Cook County College Teachers Union Local 1600, which represents nearly 5,000 members across Chicago and its suburbs. As union negotiations loom, Johnston discussed the organization’s priorities, including the challenges members face due to Chic…

1
Carrie Lee Patterson, AEA | Jay Edwards, Former Ohio State Rep. 52:46

10d ago52:46

52:46

Today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast spotlights Carrie Lee Patterson, a multifaceted arts professional and proud member of four unions. As an actor, director, writer and dialect coach, Patterson is affiliated with Actors' Equity Association, SAG-AFTRA, the American Guild of Musical Artists and the Society of Stage Directors and…

1
Anna-Marta Visky, CWA District 1 | Andrew Strom, Labor Lawyer 55:05

13d ago55:05

55:05

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Anna-Marta Visky, NJ Political and Field Director for District 1 of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), joined the podcast to discuss the pressing issue of healthcare affordability for public employees in New Jersey. Andrew Strom, labor lawyer and adjunct professor at Brooklyn L…

1
Charlotte Brody, BlueGreen Alliance | Will Lindsay, BMWED 53:32

14d ago53:32

53:32

Charlotte Brody, Vice President of Occupational and Environmental Health at the BlueGreen Alliance, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the importance of workplace health regulations, challenges from the Trump Administration to these protections and the crucial role of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ge…

1
Polish American Women and Detroit’s 1938 Federal Screw Works Strike 53:56

14d ago53:56

53:56

Dr. Martin Hershock recounts the violent three-day strike against General Motors supplier Federal Screw Works in 1938, when women from Detroit’s Polish community led the fight to preserve both their recently-recognized union and their neighborhood. Hershock is a Professor of History at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and author of the article, …

1
Adam Keller, The Valley Labor Report | Hannah Halbert, Policy Matters Ohio 47:47

15d ago47:47

47:47

Adam Keller, co-host of The Valley Labor Report and a leader in Alabama’s labor movement, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed what he described as troubling labor practices connected to an automotive supply chain facility in Alabama. Hannah Halbert, Executive Director of Policy Matters Ohio, joined the America’s Work Force U…

1
Frank Mathews, CWA District 4 | Dave Wondolowski, Cleveland BCTC 46:36

16d ago46:36

46:36

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director for District 4 of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to provide his thoughts on skyrocketing health care costs, the dangerous implications of the “One Touch Make Ready” (OTMR) utility pole policy and the ongoing need to protect worker safety in the face o…

1
Sylvia Allegretto, CEPR | Bob Funk, LaborLab 58:59

17d ago58:59

58:59

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Sylvia Allegretto, Senior Economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), offered a comprehensive look into lagging teacher compensation, or as she called it, a “teacher pay penalty” in the United States. Allegretto, who has spent over two decades researching labor economic…

1
Dorsey Hager, C/COBCTC | John Paul Smith, AFL-CIO 42:41

20d ago42:41

42:41

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joined the America’s Workforce Union Podcast and highlighted a number of ongoing infrastructure projects in the region, the challenges and innovations brought on by harsh weather, ongoing workforce development efforts and the changing …

1
Jared Ross and Lorie Thompson, South Sound BCTC | Steve South, Teamsters Local 25 1:00:03

21d ago1:00:03

1:00:03

This episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast featured Jared Ross, Executive Secretary of the South Sound Building and Construction Trades Council — a regional council under the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council — and Dr. Lorie Thompson, regional network director for the Capital STEM Alliance. The conversation focused o…

1
Paul Nolley, Project First Rate | Jody Calemine, AFL-CIO 47:44

22d ago47:44

47:44

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Paul Nolley, Executive Director of Project First Rate, joined the show to shine a light on his organization’s approach to promoting union construction in Rockford, Ill. and surrounding counties. Project First Rate is a partnership between union contractors and tradespeople, focusing on q…

1
Dave Saucedo, Teamsters | Tim Burga, Ohio AFL-CIO 49:47

23d ago49:47

49:47

Dave Saucedo, Director of the Airline Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing struggles faced by United Airlines mechanics as they fight for better contract terms, the outsourcing of maintenance work to other countries and the challenges of securing fair contracts …

1
Ted Pappageorge, Culinary Workers Union Local 226 | Merrilee Logue, NLO 50:16

24d ago50:16

50:16

This episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast featured Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer of Culinary Workers Union Local 226. Representing 60,000 members in Las Vegas, Pappageorge joined the podcast to celebrate a landmark achievement: the union's first-ever representation across every major casino on the Las Vegas Strip. The conversati…

1
Roxanne Brown, USW | Scott Paul, Alliance for American Manufacturing 52:32

27d ago52:32

52:32

Today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast featured Roxanne Brown, incoming President of the United Steelworkers (USW). As she prepares to become the union’s first female and first African American USW president on March 1, Brown shared her thoughts on the union's legacy of internal promotion, her personal journey within the organiza…

1
Jeff Padallero, Teamsters | Greg LaRoy, Good Jobs First 1:01:26

28d ago1:01:26

1:01:26

Happy Thanksgiving! On today’s Thanksgiving Day episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery and Soft Drink Conference, discussed the extraordinary battle for a first contract at Breakthru Beverage facilities across Florida. Greg LaRoy, Executive Director of Good Jobs First, joined the…

1
Chris Grando, NUICA | Trish Belenson, SEIU Local 1021 54:51

29d ago54:51

54:51

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Chris Grando, President of the National Union Insulation Contractors Alliance (NUICA), joined the show to discuss the organization, its recent changes and ongoing challenges in the insulation industry. Representing signatory contractors and advancing the mission of partnership between la…

1
Talking History with AFA President Sara Nelson 24:31

29d ago24:31

24:31

In celebration of the Reuther Library’s 50th anniversary, Sara Nelson, International President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO discusses the importance of understanding labor and legislative history when bargaining for better labor contracts for flight attendants today. Related Resources: Turbulent Romance: The History of the A…

1
Casey Van Den Heuvel, SMW Local 104 | Tom Buffenbarger 55:27

30d ago55:27

55:27

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Casey Van Den Heuvel, business representative for Sheet Metal Workers Local 104, shared insights into the ongoing challenges faced by union workers in California’s Monterey and Santa Cruz regions. The discussion centered on the fight to maintain Project Labor Agreements (PLA) in Watsonvi…

1
Jon Schleuss, NewsGuild-CWA | Greg Regan, TTD 47:15

1M ago47:15

47:15

On today’s episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Jon Schleuss, President of the NewsGuild-CWA, discussed the resolution of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette strike and highlighted the enduring power of worker unity and the challenges faced by journalists nationwide. Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department (TTD) at the AFL-C…

1
Jeff Stoffer, American Legion | Rich Fiesta, Alliance for Retired Americans 45:39

1M ago45:39

45:39

Today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast featured Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications at the American Legion. Stoffer discussed the Legion’s advocacy during government shutdowns, efforts to combat scams targeting veterans, and the inspiring journey of a veteran-turned-entrepreneur – a feature story in the December is…

1
Anton Ruesing, FTI | Pat Gallagher, North Coast Area Labor Federation 45:35

1M ago45:35

45:35

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Anton Ruesing, Director of the Finishing Trades Institute (FTI) of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) joined the podcast to discuss FTI’s role, the differences between union and nonunion training, FTI’s partnerships to help veterans enter the trades and workfor…

1
Matthew Bruenig, NLRB Edge | Dennis Torres, Bonnie Oconer, SEIU UHW 54:44

1M ago54:44

54:44

This episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast featured Matthew Bruenig, labor lawyer and publisher of the legal tracking platform NLRB Edge. Bruenig discussed his motivation for launching an accessible and affordable resource for tracking National Labor Relations Board rulings, and then discussed the bipartisan Faster Labor Contracts Act. The …

1
Melissa Cropper, OFT | Jeff Bryant, Our Schools 49:49

1M ago49:49

49:49

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT), joined the podcast to discuss organizing campaigns in public libraries, recent and controversial legislation in Ohio on child labor and ongoing legal battles over the state's teacher retirement system (STRS). Jeff Bryan…

1
Cristina Hooper, SEIU Local 1107 | Hannah Halbert, Policy Matters Ohio 44:03

1M ago44:03

44:03

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Cristina Hooper, a medical social worker and Service Employees International Union Local 1107 member at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, joined us to discuss what it took to win the first union contract at Sunrise Hospital. Hannah Halbert, Executive Director of Policy Matters Ohio, joined …

1
The Containment: Detroit, the Supreme Court, and the Battle for Racial Justice in the North 54:09

1M ago54:09

54:09

Professor Michelle Adams describes the struggles to integrate Detroit’s highly segregated neighborhoods and schools in the 1960s, a federal judge’s ruling to alleviate that segregation by bussing students between the predominately Black schools in Detroit and predominantly white schools in the suburbs, and the Supreme Court’s subsequent 1974 Millik…

1
Aaron Walsh, LEAN STL | Suntrapp Workers Unite, CWA Local 7765 1:02:21

1M ago1:02:21

1:02:21

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Aaron Walsh, a labor recovery specialist with Laborers Escaping Adversity Now St. Louis (LEAN STL), joined the podcast to discuss the ongoing battle against anti-union policies in Missouri, the importance of mental health and addiction recovery in the trades and the strides made to expand p…

1
Andrew Strom, Brooklyn Law School | Natalie Robin and Dante Smith, USA Local 829 50:16

1M ago50:16

50:16

Andrew Strom, a labor lawyer and adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the difficulties that American workers face when organizing, the limitations of new labor law reforms like the Faster Labor Contracts Act, and the transformative impact of strong union contracts in promoting upward mob…

1
Bret Oesterich, AMFA | Chris Rak, SEIU Local 1 50:33

1M ago50:33

50:33

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Bret Oesterich, National President of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), joined the show to discuss the state of the aviation industry, ongoing labor challenges and the impending merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. Chris Rak, Vice President and Director f…

1
Dan Wiley, American Legion | Mike Hazard, UA VIP 51:09

1M ago51:09

51:09

This Veterans Day, the America’s Work Force Union Podcast welcomed Dan Wiley, National Commander of the American Legion, as one of our featured guests. Wiley reflected on his military background, the long-standing advocacy work of the Legion and the ongoing “Be the One” campaign to combat veteran suicide. On this special Veterans Day edition of the…

1
Frank Mathews, CWA District 4 | Tracie McMillan, Capital and Main 55:15

2M ago55:15

55:15

Today’s episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast featured Frank Mathews, Administrative Director for District 4 of the Communications Workers of America (CWA). Mathews focused on the recent elections, ongoing challenges with gerrymandering and the importance of union-led education and solidarity, highlighted by District 4’s recent conference i…

1
Dorsey Hager, C/COBCTC | John Paul Smith, AFL-CIO 47:51

2M ago47:51

47:51

Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Ohio’s political races, national election trends and their implications for labor. On today’s episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, John Paul Smith, Executive Assistant …

1
Jackie Tate, Imogen Fox, AFSCME Local 88 | Merrilee Logue, NLO, David Yoder, BCBS FEP 58:38

2M ago58:38

58:38

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we were joined by Jackie Tate, President, and Imogen Fox, Bargaining Team Member, Steward, with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 88, representing Multnomah County employees in Portland, Ore They discussed the union’s current contract negotiations, …

1
Paducah Professional Firefighters Local 168 | Dave Megenhardt, United Labor Agency 55:56

2M ago55:56

55:56

On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Nathan Torian, President of Paducah Professional Firefighters Local 168, and Michael Hall, a firefighter and EMT, gave listeners a look into the strength, unity and heart of their union in Paducah, Ky. In this episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Dave Megenhardt, Executive Directo…

1
Nick Weiner, Amer Dababneh, CWA | Tim Burga, Ohio AFL-CIO 52:10

2M ago52:10

52:10

In this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast Nick Weiner, Organizing Director for the Communications Workers of America (CWA), and Amer Dababneh, Senior Premier Banker at Wells Fargo in Pennsylvania, discussed their organizing efforts across multiple Wells Fargo branches. As Ohioans head to the polls this Election Day, Tim Burga, Presi…

1
Jon Wentz, Wentz, McInerney, Peifer & Petroff, LLC | Justin Hubly, NAPE/AFSCME Local 61 53:32

2M ago53:32

53:32

On this episode of the America's Work Force Union Podcast, attorney Jon Wentz of Wentz, McInerney, Peifer & Petroff, LLC, discussed the ongoing conflict between Teamsters Local 284 and the Sutphen Corporation, a leading fire truck manufacturer based in Columbus, Ohio. Executive Director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees (NAPE/AFSCME L…

1
Scott Nelson, University of Georgia | Andy and Brian Nieweglowski, LIUNA Local 607 49:09

2M ago49:09

49:09

Scott Nelson, history professor at the University of Georgia and author of “Steel Driving Man: John Henry, the Untold Story of an American Legend,” revealed the true story behind the folk hero John Henry. He traced Henry’s journey from being a young convict in Virginia to his death as a steel-driving man building railroad tunnels in the aftermath o…

1
Sarah Anderson, IPS | Elliot Encarnacion and Martha Kinsella, AGMA 51:37

2M ago51:37

51:37

Sarah Anderson, Global Economic Policy Director at the Institute for Policy Studies, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss IPS's latest report on CEO compensation at America's largest low-wage employers. Elliot Encarnacion, Governor of the American Guild of Musical Artists, and Martha Kinsella, Regional Director and Counsel for t…

1
David Cooper, EPI | Matt Biggs, IFPTE 46:02

2M ago46:02

46:02

David Cooper, Director of the Economic Analysis and Research Network at the Economic Policy Institute, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle worker protections across federal agencies, the elimination of minimum wage standards for domestic workers and federal contractors and the nee…

1
Remembering the Detroit Feminist Women’s Health Center 33:57

2M ago33:57

33:57

Dr. Beth Widmaier Capo discusses the Detroit Feminist Women’s Health Center and the role health practitioners there—including her mother—played in empowering women to understand their bodies and take control of their health in the 1970s. Capo is the Edward Capps Professor of Humanities and Professor of English at Illinois College, and author of the…

1
Tom Buffenbarger, IAMAW | Barbara Robertson, AFSCME Local 1671 49:51

2M ago49:51

49:51

Tom Buffenbarger, former General President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing Boeing strike, nuclear security concerns amid the government shutdown and China's dominance in shipbuilding and manufacturing. Barbara Robertson, member of Interpreters…

1
Greg Regan, TTD | Dave Spero, PASS National | Dante Woodson & Nick Coronado Teamsters Local 705 47:41

2M ago47:41

47:41

Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO (TTD), joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing government shutdown's impact on transportation workers, the strain on the transportation systems and the addition of the Elevator Constructors Union to the TTD. Dave Spero, President of the Professiona…