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.

The state of New York has lost thousands of public sector workers over the past decade. Recruiting and retaining public employees is reaching a crisis level.   In addition, dedicated public sector workers who risked their lives during the pandemic could be inadvertently penalized for the overtime they worked throughout the crisis.   On the latest Union Strong podcast, we talk about reforming the state’s pension system, to address these issues.   New York State AFL-CIO Legislative...

March 25th is the 111th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in lower Manhattan. It was one of the deadliest industrial tragedies in U.S. history. On the latest Union Strong podcast, we are revisiting an episode we called, “A day in history that changed workplace safety”. It is a look-back at the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire through an interview with Edgar Romney, the Secretary-Treasurer of Workers United. Join the New York City Central Labor Council and Workers United at the 111th...

Nursing home workers at Our Lady of Peace in Lewiston, New York held a one-day strike to draw attention to their contract fight over fair wages. Tomorrow, that fight moves to St. Louis Missouri.   The nursing home workers are represented by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and have been without a contract since December 31, 2021. Already hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, these caregivers are now working critically short-staffed while their employer, Ascension Living shuts down...

Working New Yorkers have put themselves at risk throughout this entire pandemic. Many workers died after being exposed to the virus on the job and countless others became ill.    And now, as we reach the 2-year mark since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are learning more about long-haul symptoms.   That’s why the New York State AFL-CIO wants to help get the word out on how critical it is for every worker who believes they were exposed to COVID-19 at work, to file a claim...

Workers at Starbucks stores across the country are banding together and filing for union recognition at a pace not seen in recent memory, and it all started in Buffalo, New York. On the latest Union Strong podcast, one of the workers leading the campaign gives us an inside look into what it’s like taking on a corporate giant determined to stand in the way. And Workers United Secretary-Treasurer Edgar Romney joins us to discuss the unique way the campaign started and what’s next.

Voting rights were a cornerstone of Martin Luther King Jr's legacy.    On the latest episode of the Union Strong podcast we discuss the current state of voting rights in this country and what Dr. King might have to say about it if he was with us today.    New York State AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Terry Melvin is our guest as we discuss the meaning of Martin Luther King Day and Dr. King's connection to the union movement.   Secretary-Treasurer Melvin also talks about how we can honor Dr. King...

The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for teachers and support staff, students, and their parents. Now the 600,000 member New York State United Teachers has turned those challenges into an opportunity. NYSUT brought together a group of education professionals from across the state to come up with ideas on how to support public schools to build a brighter future for students. On the latest Union Strong podcast, we talk to three teachers who were a part of the Future...

For most workers, overtime pay after 40 hours was a victory won over 80 years ago, but shockingly for farmworkers it’s a battle still being fought. Farmworkers in New York State won some very basic rights in 2019 with passage of the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act.  Those rights which the New York State AFL-CIO had been fighting for, for years include: the right to organize a union, a mandatory day of rest, and the right to overtime pay. But the overtime threshold remains unfairly...

On the latest episode of the Union Strong podcast, we learn how unions are helping veterans find a pathway to the American dream. Our guest is Will Attig who is a U.S. Army Veteran and serves as the Executive Director of the Union Veterans Council at the AFL-CIO. Will discusses the benefits of belonging to the Union Veterans Council and how it helps veterans transition from military service to civilian life and a solid middle class job.

Voters have an opportunity in the 2021 general election to make changes to the state constitution. The Labor Movement is supporting two of the propositions; Prop 2 and Prop 4.  Prop 2 would add environmental rights to the state constitution.  Prop 4 would allow no excuse absentee voting. On this podcast we discuss what the propositions are about and why they have the support of working people.

IATSE President Matthew Loeb has drawn a line in the sand saying the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees will go on strike Monday unless a deal is reached. IATSE has been in a contract fight with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers for more than five months over safer working conditions, fair wages, and sustainable benefits. On the latest Union Strong podcast, Cinematographer Sarah May Guenther of IATSE Local 600 describes the current working conditions...

On the latest episode of the Union Strong podcast, our guest is New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. Commissioner Reardon discusses a variety of topics including the unemployed, job creation, apprenticeship programs, workplace safety and the role unions play in all of it.   https://dol.ny.gov/

Newly elected AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler joins us on the Union Strong podcast to talk about Labor’s priorities and what’s behind the growing support of labor unions. 

The Essential workers at United Metro Energy Corporation in Brooklyn, New York have been on strike since mid-April. The oil terminal workers are fighting for their first union contract after joining Teamsters Local 553 in 2019. On the latest Union Strong podcast Andre Soleyn, a terminal worker and leader of the strike, talks about their fight to get what they deserve and their determination to prevail.  http://teamsters.nyc/locals/local-553/ 212-929-6828 call in number for teamsters...

One year ago, the New York State AFL-CIO created a Social Justice Task Force to serve as a forum for frank and honest dialogue, and more importantly a vehicle for real and meaningful change to make our society and our movement more equitable and just for New Yorkers of color. On the latest episode of the Union Strong podcast, CSEA Executive Vice President Denise Berkley is our guest. As a member of the Social Justice Task Force, Denise shares some insights on the work being done and talks...

The campaign to unionize workers at the Amazon Warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama has been referred to as the most important labor struggle in more than half a century. We know the outcome as announced three months ago by the National Labor Relations Board, which determined workers voted against joining a union. That outcome is being challenged by The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). On the latest Union Strong podcast, RWDSU NYC Director and Vice President David Mertz is...

The labor movement had a lengthy agenda going into the 2021 legislative session, particularly because of the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. On the latest episode of the Union Strong podcast, we look back at what was an incredibly successful year for labor. New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento is our special guest.  Detailed breakdown can be found at https://online.flippingbook.com/view/134090400/

The labor movement has a long history of feeding the hungry. During the height of the COVID -19 pandemic meals were provided to more than 125,000 families across an 11-county region around Albany, New York. But now, even with continued signs of recovery, food insecurity remains high, and volunteers are already closing in on serving even more families in 2021. On this podcast we visit a food bank in the Albany area and talk to Capital District Area Labor Federation Director Mark Emanatian...

After more than a year of COVID-19, Stories of Hope might be exactly what we need.  On the latest Union Strong podcast, we learn about the Donate Life program in New York State.  We will bring you the story of a 5th generation Local 3 IBEW member who is a living donor and a separate story from a retired GMP member whose life was saved through organ donation.   https://donatelifenys.org/

The latest episode of the Union Strong podcast reports on violence in New York City’s subways. In a pre-recorded interview on Friday, May 14, TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano talked about the need for more police in the subways to keep his members and riders safe. The following Monday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio finally answered the union’s demands. While this is a big win for TWU, President Utano says there is more to be done. Listen to the podcast to learn about the unions' fight...

Liz Egan is a registered nurse at Albany Medical Center who describes working throughout the height of the COVID pandemic as, "terrifying."  She is among the nurses who rose to the challenge during COVID, treating patients and saving lives under unimaginable circumstances. On this podcast, a look behind the scenes at a hospital where nurses are called heroes but treated much differently.  Nurses at Albany Medical Center chose to belong to a union, the New York State Nurses Association,...

The New York State budget for 2021-2022 addresses a health and economic crisis like we have never experienced. Fortunately, the President's American Rescue Plan, which labor supported, was enacted. It provided $350 billion in aid to state and local governments. On this podcast, the President of the New York State AFL-CIO, Mario Cilento talks about how the solidarity of the Labor Movement led to historic victories for working people, from revenue raisers to new industries and much more. 

Workers in America favor unions and tens of millions of Americans want to join one. So, what is stopping them? Our labor laws are outdated. On this podcast we take a deep dive into a generational opportunity that is on our doorstep; passing the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, also known as the PRO Act. New York State AFL-CIO Chief of Staff Ryan Delgado joins the podcast to explain what the PRO Act is, why it is so important to working people and the opportunity to get it passed.

The longest serving president of the Western New York Area Labor Federation decides it is time to step aside. On this podcast, a conversation with Richard Lipsitz who spent nearly five decades fighting for the working class. Richard reflects on labor’s past and looks ahead to the many challenges and opportunities for the labor movement's future.