America’s Work Force Union Podcast

BMA Media Group
  • 4.7 (54)
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America’s Work Force Union Podcast provides a clear and unfiltered voice for the working people of America. Radio veteran Ed “Flash” Ferenc leads the discussion with a focus on topics that include the impact of labor unions in America, workers’ rights, legislative actions and labor-management relations. Featured guests include various labor leaders, politicians, journalists and more. America’s Work Force Union Podcast provides updates and information from sources around the United States and continues to be the trusted voice for workers across the country.

  1. 8H AGO

    Brian Andersen on IBEW Local 601’s Role in the 2026 Energy Boom

    The landscape of the American workforce is evolving at lightning speed, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) is at the center of the transition. In this episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, host Ed “Flash” Ferenc sits down with Brian Andersen, Business Manager of IBEW Local 601. Together, they dive into the critical state of the trades in 2026, focusing on how Local 601 is meeting the demands of massive regional projects—from semiconductor plant expansions to the continued rollout of renewable energy infrastructure. Key Highlights of Today’s Show: The 2026 Project Pipeline: A look at the current and upcoming project labor agreements (PLAs) driving work in the Champaign-Urbana and Bloomington areas. Recruitment & Retention: How Local 601 is attracting the next generation of "Gold Card" members through industry-leading benefits and wages. The Technology Gap: Why IBEW’s evolving apprenticeship curriculum is essential for navigating the complexities of 21st-century electrical systems. The Union Advantage: Brian breaks down why the "Safety First" culture of IBEW results in better outcomes for both the worker and the contractor. For more information on IBEW Local 601, visit: https://ibew601.org

    26 min

  2. 1D AGO

    Colorado’s Labor Peace Act & The Merger Threatening 50 Percent of U.S. Flights

    Is winning a union election enough? In Colorado, the answer is no. On today’s episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we dive into two distinct battles where the rules of the game are being rigged against working people—from the statehouse in Denver to the cockpit of the world's largest airlines. Segment 1: The "Second Election" Suppression Andy Jacob, Chief of Staff for SEIU Local 105, joins us to pull back the curtain on Colorado’s Labor Peace Act. Despite a Democratic trifecta, Colorado's union density sits at a staggering 5.9%. Jacob explains: Why Colorado workers are forced to win a second election with a nearly impossible 75 percent threshold just to collect dues. The reality of the Worker Protection Act and why Gov. Jared Polis continues to stand in the way. How the "donor class" is creating a rift in the Democratic Party’s pro-labor rhetoric. Segment 2: Strikes, Munitions, and Monopoly Power Retired IAM Union International President Tom Buffenbarger sounds the alarm on two national crises: The Lake City Strike: Why IAM Local 778 members are striking against Olin Corporation while producing ammunition for active military operations. The Airline Merger Threat: The devastating math behind a potential United-American Airlines merger, which could eliminate 25 percent of jobs and put half of all U.S. flights under one corporate roof. The Spirit Bailout: Why a $500 million federal "fix" might be a recipe for another industry collapse.

    1h 2m

  3. 2D AGO

    The Whiting Refinery Lockout with USW Local 7-1’s Eric Schultz

    Is BP using an ExxonMobil playbook to break the union in Indiana? In this episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we dive into the heart of the labor struggle at the BP Whiting refinery. USW Local 7-1 President Eric Schultz joins us to pull back the curtain on the lockout of over 800 union members at the nation's largest inland refinery. Schultz details how BP transitioned from "surface bargaining" to a full-scale lockout, hiring out-of-state replacement workers at a staggering $127 per hour while running the 100-year-old facility at dangerously low capacity. We discuss: The Exxon Playbook: How BP’s lead negotiator is using tactics honed during the infamous Beaumont lockout. The AI Threat: Why BP is demanding workers waive bargaining rights over Artificial Intelligence and employee tracking. Safety Risks: The terrifying reality of operating a century-old refinery with undertrained personnel. Community Solidarity: How the town of Whiting is rallying to support the picket lines. Stand with the workers: Visit supportoilworkers.com to learn how you can help.

    36 min

  4. 3D AGO

    The Bonus You Didn’t Get & The "Careless" Tax Flaw Hitting Transport Workers

    Segment 1: The Corporate Welfare Problem Sarah Anderson, Global Economy Director at the Institute for Policy Studies, joins us to break down a staggering new report on America’s 20 largest low-wage employers. While companies like Walmart, Amazon, and Home Depot report record profits and spend billions on stock buybacks, their median worker pay often falls below the threshold for Medicaid and SNAP. Key Discussion Points: The Buyback Betrayal: How Home Depot could have given every employee a $15,000 annual bonus with the money they spent on stock buybacks. Public Subsidies for Poverty Wages: Why taxpayers are effectively picking up the tab for corporate executives’ ultra-wealth. The Policy Solution: Success stories from Portland’s CEO pay-ratio tax and the movement to bring it to LA and San Francisco. Segment 2: Transportation Workers Under Fire Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department (AFL-CIO), returns for his monthly update on the legislative battles in D.C. From "clumsy" bill drafting to the ongoing struggle for TSA dignity, transportation workers are facing a multi-front war. Key Discussion Points: The Overtime Tax Flaw: Why workers covered by the Railway Labor Act are currently excluded from a $25,000 overtime tax deduction—and the coalition of 24 unions fighting to fix it. Second-Class Federal Employees: The urgent need for the TSA Workforce Rights Act to give TSOs the same Title 5 protections as their DHS colleagues. The Jones Act Smoke Screen: Why the administration’s Jones Act waiver is "political theater" that won't actually lower your gas prices. Go Behind the Scenes of the Labor Movement Every victory at the bargaining table starts with workers standing together. Subscribe to the America’s Work Force Union Podcast for daily interviews with the leaders and organizers building worker power across America.

    47 min

  5. 6D AGO

    The RTO Pay Cut: Georgia Campus Workers Fight for Living Wages and Remote W

    As the University System of Georgia enforces a sweeping return-to-office mandate, staff members are facing a harsh reality: commuting costs are effectively gutting already poverty-level wages. In this episode, we sit down with David Hyde (UCW-GSU Chapter Chair) and Rachel Schrauben Yeates (Kennesaw State University Member-Leader) from UCW-CWA Local 3821. They reveal the staggering data behind the mandate—including a 100 percent increase in retirements at Georgia Tech—and discuss the irony of a Board of Regents that joins meetings via video call while denying those same remote options to their workforce. We dive deep into: How a "Right-to-Work" state organizes without collective bargaining rights. The "Defend Remote Work" campaign and the push for a $41,000 living wage. The upcoming legislative strategy to legalize public sector bargaining in Georgia. Why the RTO mandate is driving a "brain drain" across Atlanta’s major universities.

    40 min

  6. APR 23

    The Federal Mechanical Insulation Act Hits the Senate

    A major legislative victory is brewing on Capitol Hill. Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators LMCT, joins the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to announce the introduction of S. 4312—the bipartisan Senate companion bill to the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act. Fresh off the NABTU Legislative Conference, Ielmini pulls back the curtain on the "ground game" in D.C., explaining how in-person visits with senators like Steve Daines (R-MT) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) changed the momentum for this energy-saving bill. In this episode, we also break down the "Four Pillars" of labor currently facing coordinated attacks in Congress: Davis-Bacon Prevailing Wage: Why it’s a consumer protection, not just a union benefit. Registered Apprenticeships: The fight to maintain elite training standards against low-road competition. Housing Project Definitions: How anti-union interests are trying to "redefine" their way out of fair wages. Project Labor Agreements (PLAs): Why these agreements are the gold standard for staying on time and under budget. Ielmini also looks toward the future of work, discussing the massive manhour opportunities in data center construction and the emerging wave of energy generation infrastructure.

    38 min

  7. APR 22

    Books, Blockbusters and Big Raises: OFT and SAG-AFTRA Secure Major Wins

    On this episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we examine the "grind" of organizing—and the massive results it's starting to yield across the country. Segment 1: Ohio Library & Education Wins Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joins us to celebrate a historic run of library victories. The Pay Gap: How newly unionized libraries like Worthington have already surpassed regional pay standards, with some workers seeing 9 percent raises. The CML Fight: An update on the Columbus Metropolitan Library union election and why management-led delays are a hurdle for workers. Education Reform: A look at the new national higher education blueprint and first-ever contracts at Menlo Park Academy and CCAD. Segment 2: Keeping Hollywood at Home In our second segment, we pivot to the entertainment industry with Kerri Wood Einertson, Executive Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy for SAG-AFTRA. Tax Credit Victory: How California doubled its film and TV tax credit to $750 million, and why expanding to animation and competition shows is a game-changer. The LA Rollback: A look at Mayor Karen Bass’s executive order to reduce filming fees at iconic locations like the Griffith Observatory. The Federal Push: Why SAG-AFTRA is moving toward a stackable federal incentive to ensure American productions can compete with international subsidies and keep 50,000+ background performers working. Subscribe to AWF: Never miss an episode where we go behind the scenes of the labor movement. Visit us online: awf.labortools.com

    42 min

  8. APR 21

    NABTU President Sean McGarvey on 300K Apprentices and the OpenAI Partnership

    Live from the 2026 NABTU Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., NABTU President Sean McGarvey joins the America’s Work Force Union Podcast. McGarvey breaks down the landmark NABTU-OpenAI partnership, the record-shattering growth of union apprenticeships, and his urgent call for a bipartisan federal plan to protect workers from AI-driven displacement. As thousands of building trades leaders descend on the nation’s capital, the mission is clear: ensure the workers who build the future aren't left behind by it. On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, host Ed “Flash” Ferenc sits down with Sean McGarvey, President of the North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU), for an unfiltered look at the state of the industry in 2026. McGarvey discusses the critical intersection of labor and technology, including: The OpenAI Partnership: A deep dive into the $500 billion infrastructure commitment and how it places union crafts at the center of the AI revolution. A "Rite of Spring" in D.C.: The goals of the 2026 NABTU Legislative Conference and why bipartisan engagement remains the union's strongest tool. The Apprenticeship Boom: Why 300,000+ workers are currently in the pipeline and how NABTU added 47,000 net new members in 2025 alone. Infrastructure at a Crossroads: A candid look at why projects funded by the CHIPS Act and IRA are stalling—and how the building trades are fighting back in the courts. The Missing Federal Plan: Why McGarvey is demanding a long-range, bipartisan strategy to support and transition workers displaced by artificial intelligence. "The physical work of building, maintaining, and powering AI infrastructure cannot be automated away... but the transition for the broader workforce needs a plan from the government, and it needs it now." — Sean McGarvey Connect with AWF: Website: awf.labortools.com Follow us: Be sure to subscribe for daily interviews with the leaders and activists building worker power across America.

    42 min
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4.7
out of 5
54 Ratings

About

America’s Work Force Union Podcast provides a clear and unfiltered voice for the working people of America. Radio veteran Ed “Flash” Ferenc leads the discussion with a focus on topics that include the impact of labor unions in America, workers’ rights, legislative actions and labor-management relations. Featured guests include various labor leaders, politicians, journalists and more. America’s Work Force Union Podcast provides updates and information from sources around the United States and continues to be the trusted voice for workers across the country.

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