Union Strong

New York State AFL-CIO
  • 4.9 (48)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Union Strong is the official podcast of the New York State AFL-CIO. We share stories of working men and women who benefit from belonging to a union and having a voice in the workplace.

  1. 12/10/2025

    Poverty to Power: Harry Bronson on Labor and Justice

    New York State Assemblyman Harry Bronson’s journey from a childhood of hardship to becoming a champion for workers is inspiring. As one of 12 siblings growing up without indoor plumbing, and at times, no running water, he saw firsthand the struggles his parents faced working low-wage jobs for companies that did not offer collective bargaining. It was those early experiences that shaped his dedication to fighting for equity and opportunity. Now, as the powerful chair of the NYS Assembly Labor Committee, he is in a prime position to influence the future of labor policy, and he is our guest on the Union Strong podcast.

    25 min

  2. 11/18/2025

    Big Benefit Boost for Unemployed

    Unemployment benefits just got a significant boost in New York State. This long-awaited increase, championed by the union movement, raises important questions: How much did the benefit go up? Who qualifies? How long can you collect? New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon joins us to break down what’s changed, why it matters, and what workers need to know. Resources: Visit https://dol.ny.gov/

    12 min

  3. 10/28/2025

    Leveling the Court: The WNBPA’s Fight for Fairness

    Women’s professional basketball has been on a roll, enjoying record growth, and it keeps getting better. The WNBA recently signed a massive television contract, merchandise sales have increased, and attendance has reached historic levels, including right here in New York at the New York Liberty games. Yet the players responsible for that growth don’t get a single share of all that revenue – and that’s at the center of a contract fight that has the attention of the entire union movement in New York. On the latest Union Strong podcast, Terri Carmichael Jackson, the Executive Director of the Women's National Basketball Players Association, discusses what is at the center of this fight. Resources: Follow @TheWNBPA on Instagram, Twitter and Threads WNBPA Letter Campaign: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/wnba-players-deserve-a-higher-salary-and-better-working-conditions?source=union-hall&referrer=group-new-york-state-afl-cio See the NYS AFL-CIO letter to Commissioner Engelbert: https://nysaflcio.org/press-releases/20251025-wnbpa  Watch “Shattered Glass: A WNBPA Story”: https://tubitv.com/movies/100014374/shattered-glass-a-wnbpa-story

    13 min

  4. 10/08/2025

    The Shutdown

    We are now in the second week of a government shutdown, one that has been described as calculated, cruel, and chaotic, and, unfortunately, there’s still no end in sight. On the latest episode of the Union Strong podcast, we are joined by the President of the New York State AFL-CIO, who sheds light on how this shutdown will affect working people, the services we rely on, and what we can do moving forward.   Resources: Make a Call: Stop the Shutdown and the Cuts to Working Families Statement from NYS AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento on the shutdown

    10 min

  5. 08/20/2025

    Union Bus Tour Stops In New York

    The Better in a Union Bus Tour has been making its way across the country from the East Coast to the Midwest and the South, and now it's rolled into New York State! On the latest episode of the Union Strong podcast, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler invites us aboard the bus for a candid conversation about what’s top of mind for working people right now, and what the union movement is calling for this Labor Day. Find a Labor Day event: https://www.mobilize.us/aflcio/?tag_ids=26595 NYS AFL-CIO on Mobilize: https://www.mobilize.us/nysaflcio/

    15 min

  6. 07/21/2025

    Federal Funding and New York’s Future

    On the latest episode of the Union Strong Podcast, we’re diving into a game-changing new resource that reveals just how much New York depends on federal funding—and what the recently passed federal budget bill will mean for New Yorkers. Our guest is New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, who breaks down his newly released guide to federal funding. If you care about healthcare, education, food programs, renewable energy projects, or jobs, this conversation is for you. Plus, the Comptroller shares new information on how to access unclaimed funds.    Resources: https://www.osc.ny.gov/reports/budget/fed-funding-ny/introduction https://www.osc.ny.gov/press/releases/2025/05/dinapoli-releases-guide-federal-funding-new-york https://www.osc.ny.gov/unclaimed-funds Follow @nysaflcio on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, Bluesky and TikTok

    25 min

  7. 06/25/2025

    The Big Beautiful Betrayal

    The Federal Budget Bill currently before the Senate is being called One Big, Beautiful Bill by its supporters, but U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand calls it a Big, Beautiful Betrayal of working people. On the latest episode of the Union Strong Podcast, Sen. Gillibrand discusses what is included in the bill, the impact the cuts would have on New Yorkers, and what you can do about it. She also discusses her efforts to support seniors and an initiative that would make childbirth free for families with private insurance. Senator Gillibrand's Aging Committee Newsletter: https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/help/senate-aging-committee-newsletter/ Bipartisan Legislation on Childbirth Coverage: https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-announces-bipartisan-legislation-that-would-make-childbirth-free-for-families-with-private-insurance/ Get involved: https://www.mobilize.us/nysaflcio/

    19 min

  8. 04/21/2025

    Lobbying on Behalf of Workers

    Fighting on behalf of working people can take many forms, from organizing a union so workers have a voice on the job to getting involved in political campaigns to elect leaders who will fight for working people or participating in a rally or march to draw attention to an issue impacting workers. It can also take the form of lobbying—meeting with legislative representatives to discuss the issues that matter to workers. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the Union Movement’s State Legislative Lobby Day. New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento kicks off the discussion on why it's so important and the difference it makes. NYS AFL-CIO Legislative Agenda, support/oppose memos and more: https://nysaflcio.org/legislation

    19 min
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4.9
out of 5
48 Ratings

About

Union Strong is the official podcast of the New York State AFL-CIO. We share stories of working men and women who benefit from belonging to a union and having a voice in the workplace.

Information

  • Creator
    New York State AFL-CIO
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Union Strong

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