The 2024 Legislative Session is underway.  On the latest Union Strong podcast we break down some of the priorities for the Union Movement with New York State AFL-CIO Legislative Director Mike Neidl. Stay up to date on NYS AFL-CIO legislative initiatives.

The New York State Nurses Association is celebrating groundbreaking contract victories and they are building on their solidarity for more fights ahead. On the latest Union Strong podcast, we hear from Nancy Hagans, president of NYSNA and National Nurses United on their fight to prioritize patient care. --- Sign this petition to demand that Ellis Medicine invest in safe patient care, invest in nurses, and negotiate a fair contract now.

Melinda Person is an educator, mother of 4, yoga instructor, and Ironman triathlete. She serves as a member of the New York State AFL-CIO Executive Council, and she's the new president of the nearly 700 thousand-member New York State United Teachers – the largest union in the state. On the latest Union Strong podcast, Melinda talks about the top priorities for NYSUT, discusses some of the challenges ahead, and legislative goals for the coming year.

On the latest Union Strong podcast, our guest is Mario Cilento, the President of the New York State AFL-CIO.  In this wide-ranging interview, President Cilento talks about the energy he sees, right now, within the Union Movement and why we are seeing more workers making the difficult decision to strike. He discusses a critical new law passed in New York State that will remove a barrier to union organizing and reminds us of what being a union member means and how life-changing it can be. 

Kyle Viverito is an electrician and member of IBEW Local 3.  Not too long ago, while on the job doing electrical work at an NHL arena, he started singing and it did not go unnoticed. He caught the attention of management, and the next thing he knew, he was performing there. On the latest Union Strong podcast, we will introduce you to the man known as the singing electrician. See Kyle sing at Union Strong Night at Citi Field on September 2nd! Click here to get tickets.

There has been a surge in union activity across the country with more workers deciding to join unions and demanding improved working conditions. One of those regions is in Buffalo, New York, home to the first unionized Starbucks that set into motion a wave of organizing at Starbucks stores across the United States. On the latest Union Strong podcast, Peter De Jesus, the President of the Western New York Area Labor Federation joins us to talk about the growing union movement, member...

The 2023 legislative session has come to an end and there are some big victories for workers including various worker protections and improved Workers’ Compensation. On the latest Union Strong podcast, our guest is the Legislative Director at the New York State AFL-CIO, Mike Neidl. Mike breaks down the list of legislative victories and explains what they mean to workers. See the 2023 End of Session Report See the 2023-24 Final Budget Breakdown

We are celebrating our 100th episode by diving into the historic writers’ strike that is making headlines across the country.  Our guest is the Executive Director of the Writers Guild of America East, Lowell Peterson, who will give us an overview of what this strike, by film and television writers, is all about.  But first – to commemorate our 100th episode and look to the future of staying Union Strong, our guest is the President of the New York State AFL-CIO – Mario Cilento. Writers Guild...

There has been a significant spike in the number of child labor violations reported in New York State over the past year. What are those violations and what is the state doing to address the increase? Also, an examination of the gender wage gap. Have we made any progress and what about the so-called motherhood penalty, is it still a thing? New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon joins the podcast to discuss how the DOL is using the Child Labor Task Force and a new...

As a union movement, the New York State AFL-CIO has been working with its affiliates to address climate change in a responsible way. On the latest Union Strong podcast, we discuss thermal energy networks and their role in decarbonizing state-owned campuses and facilities while creating a pipeline to union jobs. Our guest is John Murphy, International Representative for the United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Sprinkler Fitters in NY. Visit UpgradeNY.org to learn more. See Upgrade...

Addressing climate change presents all sorts of opportunities for workers and unions, but it also puts many good union jobs at risk of elimination which is why the state must maintain flexibility. As New York State continues to work to reduce emissions and combat climate change, the New York State AFL-CIO has made clear that protecting the rights and interests of workers and their unions must be a priority. On the latest Union Strong podcast, David Wasiura, Assistant to the Director of United...

Combating climate change while protecting workers is a top priority for the union movement, which is why the New York State AFL-CIO along with our affiliates have been involved every step of the way as the state moves toward achieving its ambitious clean energy goals laid out in the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). On the latest Union Strong podcast, New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento discusses how the state can address climate change in a responsible...

Healthcare workers who are members of 1199 SEIU filled the 17,000-seat MVP arena in downtown Albany this week for one of the largest rallies in the state in decades. The caregivers, still reeling from three years of the pandemic, are calling on the governor and legislative leaders to invest $2.5 billion in healthcare in the state budget. On the latest Union Strong podcast, we take you inside the arena and hear from a registered nurse who talks about the dire state of our healthcare system.

An executive budget proposal aimed at improving the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters may have good intentions, but could have unintended consequences that jeopardize public safety. On the latest Union Strong podcast, Sam Fresina, President of the New York State Professional Firefighters Association explains why paying volunteer firefighters a “nominal fee” is a bad idea. See the NYS AFL-CIO oppose memo.

With well over 10 thousand bills introduced during the two-year legislative cycle in New York State and a $227 billion budget, there is a long list of issues that impact workers and the union movement. On this podcast, New York State AFL-CIO Legislative Director Mike Neidl explains how the state federation formulates our legislative agenda and discusses some of our top priorities for this legislative session. See our legislative agenda, support/oppose memos and more. Stay up to date on...

The adult-use cannabis market is open for business in New York State and it's expected to create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs. On this podcast, we learn about the Cannabis Workforce Initiative and how it's helping people navigate this emerging industry from seed to sale. Visit the Cannabis Workforce Initiative’s website: https://www.cannabisworkforce.org/ Connect with them on Instagram, Facebook and...

We know from a recently released survey that 76 percent of consumers prefer to buy American-made products, but where do you find them? Our guest from the Alliance for American Manufacturing has an entire holiday gift guide of Made in America items.  And we’ll tell you where to find union-made gifts, food, and drinks to make it a holiday that not only supports workers but will help create good union jobs. AAM's 2022 Made in America Holiday Gift Guide AAM's Made in America Directory AFL-CIO's...

TikTok is a powerful communications tool, but getting started can feel intimidating. On the latest Union Strong podcast we discuss how TikTok works, tips and tricks for unions who want to use it to get their message out, and why you shouldn’t be afraid to dive in. - Download the “Captions” app to get a teleprompter for your TikToks Follow @NYSAFLCIO and @Local802AFM on TikTok

Candidates seeking the endorsement of the New York State AFL-CIO must meet a high threshold of support.  On the latest Union Strong podcast, we break down the endorsement process with our guests; Ryan Delgado, Political Director and Chief of Staff at the federation and Jenn Puja, the Executive Director of the Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body.  We also discuss what’s at stake in the general election and how union members are making their voices heard. Get voter info and find out how...

Union construction workers and members of the fire and police departments in New York City developed a strong bond working together on New York’s 9/11 recovery mission. Years later, many of them now retired, are putting their knowledge and skills to use to help those in need. On the latest Union Strong podcast, Bill Keegan, founder and president of HEART 9/11 talks about the mission of the organization and what drives workers to pay it forward.   Visit the HEART 9/11 website. You can find...

Workers won big in the 2022 legislative session. The list of victories includes workplace health and safety protections, improvements to labor rights and pensions, and the creation of good-paying jobs as we address climate change. On the latest Union Strong podcast, New York State AFL-CIO Legislative Director Mike Neidl breaks it all down for us to explain what these changes will mean for working people and their families. See the 2022 End of Session Report Get tickets for Union Strong...

When nurses were forced to work mandatory overtime during the COVID pandemic, it was understood that we were dealing with an emergency. The emergency has passed, yet mandatory overtime is back with a vengeance and it’s reached a crisis level in many of our hospitals. Overworked nurses are pleading with lawmakers to do something about it. On the latest Union Strong podcast, we will hear from nurses and their unions on why they are so passionate about strengthening mandatory overtime...

The concept of Buy American is simple: Our tax dollars should be used to create jobs and advance production here at home. On the latest episode of the Union Strong podcast, we discuss the importance of prioritizing Buy American legislation and in particular, Buy American Rock Salt. Our guest, Dave Wasiura, Assistant to the Director for the United Steelworkers, District 4 explains what the legislation would do and its impact on the New York State economy.