State of the Unions

Co-host Carolyn Bobb sits down for a conversation about the AFL-CIO's newest affiliate, the National Women's Soccer League Players Association (NWSLPA), with its Executive Director Meghann Burke.

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler sits down with Emily's List President Laphonza Butler to talk about life as newly elected women leaders as Shuler celebrates her first 100 days. They lay out their plans to build more inclusive labor and political movements, respectively. They also discuss how their lives have changed since becoming new leaders of their organizations.

Tim and Carolyn sit down with Jimmy Williams Jr., general president of the Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), to discuss the ongoing membership work of the IUPAT. They also talk about the positive impact the Build Back Better legislative agenda, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act will have on working people across the country.

Tim and Carolyn are joined by two BCTGM members on strike at Kellogg's, Heather Greene and Andrew Johnson.

Congressman Chuy García (Ill.) joined Tim and Carolyn to discuss the Build Back Better agenda, infrastructure and what passage of the PRO Act would mean for working people all across the country.

Tim and Carolyn are joined by American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten to discuss back to school, the state of play on Capitol Hill and the rise of unions.  

On this week's episode of "State of the Unions," co-hosts Tim Schlittner and Carolyn Bobb sit down with National Nurses United (NNU) Executive Director Bonnie Castillo, RN, to discuss how nurses went above and beyond to speak out and advocate for patient care and workplace safety while on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tim and new co-host Carolyn Bobb discuss the legacy of Richard Trumka, Liz Shuler and the new leadership team at AFL-CIO and talk to Labor Secretary Marty Walsh.

Julie and Guest Co-host Carolyn Bobb sat down with Matt Morrison, executive director of Working America, to discuss how the affiliate union is mobilizing millions of workers from all demographics who otherwise lack representation at work.

Tim and Julie sit down with M.K. Fletcher, AFL-CIO Safety & Health Specialist to talk all things Coronavirus (COVID-19), what the labor movement is doing and how we are responding to ensure that frontline workers' needs are taken care of.

Meet Caleb-Michael, the new executive producer of State of the Unions as he reintroduces SOTU Pod Episode 16, Can't Stop. Won't Shop. Stories from a UFCW Picket Line. In this episode Julie and Tim talk to Kristen Johnson, a deli manager and shop steward at the Stop & Shop in Somerville, Massachusetts. Kristen and more than 30,000 of her co-workers, members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), are out on strike for fair pay, benefits and respect on the job.

Podcast co-host Tim talks with AFL-CIO EVP Tefere Gebre about his journey from being an Ethiopian refugee to success in the labor movement in Orange County, California, and in Washington, D.C., and the people and institutions that helped him along the way.

Podcast co-hosts Julie and Tim talk to with Rev. Leah Daughtry, CEO of "On These Things," about Reconnecting McDowell, a project of the American Federation of Teachers that takes a holistic approach to revitalizing the education and community of McDowell, West Virginia, and how her faith informs her activism.

Podcast co-hosts Julie and Tim talk to International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold Schaitberger about IAFF's Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery, 9/11 and the life of a firefighter.

Co-hosts Julie and Tim take a look behind the scenes of "State of the Unions" and chat with the team that makes the podcast and talks about everyone's favorite episodes of 2019.  

Podcast co-host Tim Schlittner and guest host and AFL-CIO International Director Cathy Feingold talk with Professor Cas Mudde, a political scientist from the University of Georgia. Mudde has a new book, "The Far Right Today," which takes a look at the resurgence of right-wing politicians and activists across the globe, much of it cloaked in populist, worker-friendly rhetoric.

Podcast co-host Tim Schlittner talks to Guy Ryder, the director-general of the ILO about the international labor movement, the idea of "decent labor" and the future of work.  

Julie and Tim talk with Will Attig about his work connecting the labor movement and the veterans community. 

Tim talks to union member and Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Mark Pocan (Wis.) about strikes, trade, health care, LGBTQ equality and the freedom to form a union. 

Julie and Tim talk to Maine Senate President Troy Jackson (IUPAT/IAM) about his path to power and the experiences that have shaped his life and career.

Julie and Tim talk to U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (Ohio) about worker power, automation, trade and his decision to stay in the Senate. 

Julie and Tim check in with Industrial Union Council Executive Director Brad Markell about the UAW strike at GM and interview UC Hastings Associate Law Professor Veena Dubal, whose work helped pave the way for passage of AB 5, landmark pro-worker legislation in California. 

Julie and Tim talk to SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris about the future of work, sexual harassment and her journey from young actor to labor leader. 

Tim talks to NABTU Chief of Staff Mike Monroe about a Department of Labor proposal that would undermine world-class apprenticeships in the construction industry.

Julie and Tim talk with Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Montserrat Garibay in the wake of the deadly mass shooting in El Paso. They discuss immigration, organizing and the need for solidarity in times of darkness. 

Julie and Tim talk to UNITE HERE President D. Taylor about the activism of airline catering workers and the need for the labor movement to take more risks.

Over three days in June, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka held town halls in Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Detroit to talk with workers about the future of NAFTA. Listen to some of the highlights from that conversation. 

Julie and Tim talk to AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler who is pushing the labor movement to be bold, take risks and not be afraid of failure.

Julie and Tim talk with Pride at Work Executive Director Jerame Davis as the AFL-CIO constituency group celebrates its 25th anniversary. They discuss the progress made by LGBTQ working people over the past quarter-century and the work still left to be done. 

Julie and Tim talk to Congressman Andy Levin (Mich.), a former AFL-CIO employee and career union organizer and activist. They discuss labor law reform, trade and the path to power for working people in Michigan and across the country. 

Tim talks to National Nurses United Executive Director Bonnie Castillo about the growing movement of registered nurses organizing for better jobs, a more just society and health care as a fundamental human right. 

Julie and Tim talk to AFL-CIO Trade Policy Specialist Celeste Drake about flaws in the proposed new NAFTA and outline the labor movement's high standards for current and future trade agreements. 

Julie and Tim talk to Kristen Johnson, a deli manager and shop steward at the Stop & Shop in Somerville, Massachusetts. Kristen and more than 30,000 of her co-workers, members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), are out on strike for fair pay, benefits and respect on the job.

Tim talks to NALC Executive Vice President Brian Renfroe and Assistant to the President for Community Services Christina Vela Davidson about #StampOutHunger, the annual one-day drive which has collected more than one billion pounds of food for the hungry. 

Julie and Tim talk to the co-chairs of the House Blue Collar Caucus. Boyle and Veasey both come from union families and formed the caucus in the aftermath of the 2016 election to better connect with blue collar workers. They say the path to a stronger America runs through the labor movement and any plan to rebuild our economy must include the working people who make it go. 

Julie and Tim talk to Kim Kelly, the labor columnist for Teen Vogue and a former music editor at VICE. Kelly shares her journey into radical political activism from humble beginnings in rural New Jersey to a platform that reaches millions. She provides insight into her experience forming a union at VICE and her desire for young people to challenge capitalism in today's economy. 

Julie and Tim talk to Ken Rigmaiden, general president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. He details his journey from a floor covering installer in San Jose, California, to the highest ranks of the labor movement. He reflects back on his experience with racism and discrimination while also uplifting the many opportunities he's been given. Above all, he stresses his commitment to opening the door for the next generation of union members, activists and leaders. 

Julie and Tim talk to Kooper Caraway, the dynamic 28-year old president of the Sioux Falls AFL-CIO. Caraway offers his ideas for how the labor movement can reach young people, recalls his own history with activism and informs Tim that millennials don't use the word "cool."

Julie and Tim talk with former Tallahassee mayor and 2018 gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum (Florida), who calls himself a "living, breathing, walking, talking result of (Dr. King's) legacy." Gillum shares his experience on the campaign trail and previews the important fights ahead on voting, worker and civil rights.   

Julie and Tim look back at the best guests and topics of 2018. 

Julie and Tim talk to UNITE HERE about recent worker victories at Marriott and go in-depth with AFA-CWA International President Sara Nelson. 

In a special episode, Julie and Tim discuss plant closures at General Motors with longtime autoworker Brad Markell. 

Julie and Tim put a bow on the midterm elections and chat with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. 

Julie and Tim react to the midterm elections and interview Congressman Conor Lamb (Pa.). 

Julie and Tim discuss the 2018 elections and interview Dahlia Vertreese. 

Julie and Tim discuss Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's testimony and interview Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha.

Julie and Tim introduce themselves to listeners and talk about the state of labor unions in America.