America’s Work Force Union Podcast BMA Media Group

Eric Weiner, Division VP for Labor & Trust, Public Sector, and Higher Education for Included Health and their interim director of behavioral health, Dr. Gareen Hamalian, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how Included Health is assisting unions and their members get the assistance they need during our Mental Health Awareness Month coverage.
Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent FAA Reauthorization bill that was passed by Congress. He also discussed the TTD’s annual Executive Committee meeting and what the transportation industry can do to improve worker safety measures globally.

Amanda Biggins, President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1539, joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about her Local’s new contract with the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Rush City. Biggins also talked about approved legislation that will ban private prisons in Minnesota.
Tom Buffenbarger, an independent labor voice and former International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his history with Harley-Davidson, ongoing investigations into potential Boeing design hazards and more attacks on railroad safety.

In honor of Memorial Day, Mike Hazard, the program manager for the United Association Veterans in Piping program, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the program and what it is doing to help military service members transition to civilian careers in the UA. Hazard also discussed the UA Pipe P.A.L.S. program recently launched by the union.
United States Army veteran John “Jack” Monahan, who also serves as a World War One Centennial Commission representative, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast this Memorial Day to discuss the WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C. He also discussed the unveiling of a new sculpture at the memorial slated for this fall.

At the request of our listeners, America’s Work Force Union Podcast brought back the interview with Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas from May 1, which began our Mental Health Awareness Month Coverage this year. In the episode, Dr. Sally discussed the state of mental health awareness in America and how unions can provide care and access to mental health, including the Man Therapy program.
Assistant to the Director of the United Steelworkers District 1, Teresa Cassady, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the union’s Your Union, Your Voice initiative. She discussed the efforts to educate members at the Local level about the union’s core values, and what goes into the initiatives and politicians the union chooses to support.

Stephen Silvia, a professor in the Politics, Governance and Economics Department at American University, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how automakers in the South have worked to prevent the United Auto Workers' unionization efforts, as well as his recent book, The UAW’s Southern Gamble.

Pete Ielmini, Executive Director for the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperation Trust (LMCT), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss training in the construction industry, an upcoming webinar focused on firestopping and mechanical insulation for engineers who manage and maintain buildings across the nation and the mental health care provided by the Insulators Member Assistance Program (IMAP).
Andrew Spar, President of the Florida Education Association, joined the America’s Workforce Union Podcast to discuss a recent study that ranks Florida 50th in the list of average teacher pay by state and other ways Local members are fighting to save their unions.