Solidarity Works

United Steelworkers
  • 5.0 (24)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Welcome to Solidarity Works, a podcast from the United Steelworkers (USW) union. We're here to have conversations and start conversations about the past, present, and future of the labor movement, as well as talk about the work the union is doing, with USW activists leading the way. Listen to us here or on your favorite podcast streaming service, like Spotify, Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, and more.

  1. 11/26/2025

    No Worker Left Behind: Labor's Plan for the AI Era

    Artificial intelligence is changing how we work, how we communicate, and how we live — but who's making sure workers aren't left behind? In the latest episode of Solidarity Works, we sit down with Ed Wytkind, Interim Executive Director of the AFL-CIO Technology Institute, to talk about the federation's new Workers First Initiative on AI. The initiative lays out a bold plan to make sure technology serves people — not the other way around — by putting worker voices at the center of innovation, bargaining, and public policy. From protecting jobs and privacy to creating new opportunities for skill building and organizing, we explore what a fair and democratic AI future could look like when labor leads the way. To learn more about the Workers First Initiative on AI, visit aflciotechinstitute.org.  Music in today's episode is by Ketsa.

    27 min

  2. 10/29/2025

    Clara Lemlich and the Uprising of the 20,000

    In 1909, a 23-year-old immigrant named Clara Lemlich stood up in New York's Cooper Union and said, "I have no more patience for talk—I move that we go on a general strike." The next morning, 20,000 garment workers—mostly young immigrant women—walked off the job. Their courage changed labor history forever. Tune into our latest episode to hear how their fight reshaped workers' rights for generations. --- Music from today's episode is by: Tar Sahno and Semion Krivenko-Adamo Sources: Jewish Women's Archive, "Uprising of 20,000 (1909)." Global Nonviolent Action Database (Swarthmore College), "Triangle Shirtwaist Factory women strike, win better wages and hours, New York, 1909." AFL-CIO, "Triangle Shirtwaist Fire." PBS American Experience, "Clara Lemlich and the Uprising of the 20,000."

    12 min

  3. 09/25/2025

    Defunding Education: The Attack on Public Learning and Research

    In the latest episode of Solidarity Works, we expose the Trump administration's sweeping cuts to public education and research funding—from K-12 schools to university labs. Educators, union leaders, and graduate researchers reveal how these attacks threaten working families, marginalized students, and the future of innovation itself. Tune in to learn firsthand how communities are being forced to fight back to defend learning, dignity, and the public good. Music in this episode is by Ketsa.

    16 min

  4. 08/27/2025

    They Shall Not Pass: When Workers Took on Fascism

    Long before World War II officially kicked off in 1939, trade unionists were already sounding the alarm. They saw fascism for what it was—racism, anti-Semitism, militarism, authoritarianism. Union workers and leaders resisted—they distributed leaflets, hid their Jewish neighbors and co-workers, sabotaged Nazi logistics, and even joined armed struggle. In the latest episode of Solidarity Works, we dive into this powerful—and often overlooked—period of resistance in modern history led by everyday workers who stood up against fascism and showed that solidarity is not merely a word; it's an action. Music from today's episode: Ketsa, Scott Holmes, Maarten Schellekens

    12 min

  5. 08/01/2025

    The Legacy of Delano: Labor, Resistance, and the Power of Unity

    As ICE raids ramp up and communities across the nation are gripped by fear, we're looking back to a powerful legacy of worker resistance in the latest episode of Solidarity Works. The Legacy of Delano tells the story of how Filipino and Latino farmworkers united in 1965 to ignite a labor movement that changed history. Today, organizers like Local 675's Xochityl Cobarruvias carry that spirit forward, mobilizing against injustice and defending immigrant workers under attack. Tune in to hear how courage, unity, and nonviolence still light the path to justice.

    16 min

  6. 06/26/2025

    Defending Our Defenders: Union Veterans Demand Action in D.C.

    John Stevens has been a member of USW Local 341 in Newark, Ohio, for six years and works at an aluminum factory. On Thurs., June 5, he and fellow union members walked the halls of Congress to remind lawmakers about the promise the government made to veterans like him.  This fight to preserve benefits and services for America's defenders is personal to John in many ways. He lost his older brother, also a military veteran, to suicide in 2017. Hear John's story and learn about some of the legislation that could help prevent similar losses and other hardships for U.S. veterans in the latest episode of Solidarity Works. Music in this episode is by Mr Smith. Special shout-out to Dropkick Murphys. Learn more about Veterans of Steel at usw.to/vetsofsteel.

    12 min

  7. 05/28/2025

    Riffs and Rights: Kim Kelly's Journey from Heavy Metal to Labor Activism

    Kim Kelly began her writing career in the heavy metal world – she even adopted a moniker known as Grim Kim – but it wasn't long before her family's labor roots caught hold. She joined a union when writing for Vice, a digital publishing platform, and soon her stories took a turn toward more fervent working-class issues. Now, Kim is an author and public speaker with two books on the shelves focused on American labor history and a passion for speaking truth to power. In this episode of Solidarity Works, we'll learn about the journalist's unique career path, what inspires her dedication to justice, and why all Americans should be concerned about recent attempts to ban books and limit the free press. Learn more about Kim by visiting https://about.me/kimkelly. Music from this episode is by Ketsa.

    33 min

  8. 05/02/2025

    USW and Los Mineros Unite in Mexico

    On Friday, April 25, thousands of labor activists, including USW members, marched and chanted through the streets of Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico, as part of an annual event commemorating the murders of two Los Mineros union members who were killed while on strike in 2006. In today's episode, we recount the mine explosion and consequential strike that led Los Mineros President Napoleon Gomez to live in exile for nearly a decade in Canada. We're also chatting with members who attended this year's trip to Mexico, as well as a USW activist who participated in a recent global youth exchange program co-hosted by the Steelworkers and Los Mineros. This episode features music by several artists, including Ketsa, Lobo Loco, and Greg Kirkelie.

    17 min
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About

Welcome to Solidarity Works, a podcast from the United Steelworkers (USW) union. We're here to have conversations and start conversations about the past, present, and future of the labor movement, as well as talk about the work the union is doing, with USW activists leading the way. Listen to us here or on your favorite podcast streaming service, like Spotify, Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, and more.

Information

  • Creator
    United Steelworkers
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    72
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © We welcome you to download and play our podcast and share with others for personal use; please acknowledge Solidarity Works as the source of the material.
  • Show Website
    Solidarity Works