America’s Work Force Union Podcast

President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, Tim Burga, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the annual State of Working Ohio report. Burga also talked about trends and issues in the workforce since the pandemic and the struggle to redistrict the state's voting maps.

National President for the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), Dave Spero, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the operations and work completed by his organization. Spero also discussed the Federal Aviation Agency’s issues with funding and staffing and their efforts to improve their workforce through an internship program.

Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, noted psychologist, program trainer and speaker, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to begin our coverage of National Suicide Prevention Week and talk about Suicide Prevention Week and Mental Health Awareness. Dr. Sally also talked about improving awareness in the building trades and improving your Local union’s ability to help provide resources to those in need.

President of the New York City District Council of Carpenters, Paul Capurso, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the events of Sept 11, 2001, from his first-hand experience. Capurso also discussed his work with the World Trade Center Health Monitoring Program and the importance of remembrance.

Vice President of the Writers Guild of America East, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the ongoing writers’ strike. Cullen also talked about the energy and support for the strike and what a fair, modern contract win involving artificial intelligence would look like and the impact it would have on the entertainment industry.

A trio of members from the Documentary Workers United (CWA Local 9003), Kenyon Johnson, Anisa Hosseinnezhaf, and Gabriella Ortega Ricketts, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the work done to earn the first contract for the DWU. The group discussed the work done by the International Documentary Association (IDA) and the importance of unions for the non-profit sector.

Visiting scholar at the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University, John Russo, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the ongoing negotiations between the UAW and Big Three auto manufacturers and how they can learn from auto plants in the Youngstown, Ohio region to help with the negotiations.

Labor historian and Professor with the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, Ileen DeVault, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the changing mentality of the Labor Movement among students. DeVault also discussed the ILR Labor Action Tracker and trends contributing to the “Hot Summer Labor.”

Executive Secretary-Treasurer for the Colombus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Dorsey Hager, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about Google’s recent pledge of $1.7 billion in new construction. Hager also discussed efforts to ensure the building trades can handle manpower needs and the Davis-Bacon Act changes.

National Legislative Director for the Transportation Communications Union/International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Dave Arouca, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about rail safety under the Precision Scheduled Railroading model. Arouca also discussed the landmark hearing on freight commerce and the push for new railroad regulatory rules.