Podcasts about afl cio

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: The Labor Heritage Power Hour explores labor history, worker culture and solidarity, from Sean Astin's AFL-CIO speech to labor murals, union organizing and historic labor halls. In labor history, legendary UMWA and CIO leader John L. Lewis died in 1969. Quote of the day: Sean Astin. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: The Future of Work examines whether artificial intelligence will boost productivity and help workers—or deepen inequality and insecurity. In labor history, President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act in 1963. Quote of the day: John F. Kennedy. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: The Workers' Mic explores Pope Leo XIV's call to protect workers and the dignity of work as artificial intelligence reshapes society. In labor history, labor organizer and Triangle Fire investigator Helen Marot was born. Quote of the day: Helen Marot. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: WorkWeek Radio examines how AI-driven automation is already eliminating jobs and warns of deeper impacts ahead. In labor history, New York City drawbridge tenders left bridges open in a 1971 pension dispute, creating a massive traffic jam. Quote of the day: H.G. Wells. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

The worker's share of Gross National Income just hit its lowest level ever recorded. Corporate profits just hit their highest share in nearly 80 years. And CEOs took home $1.24 million in raises last year while average workers earned around $50,000. AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond has seen enough. On this episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast, Redmond breaks down the new GNI data, the AFL-CIO's annual Executive Paywatch findings, the defeat of a federal provision that would have blocked state AI worker protections for 10 years and what organized labor is bringing to its quadrennial convention in Minneapolis — record organizing rates, court victories and a message of solidarity heading into the midterm election cycle. Read the AFL-CIO Executive Paywatch report and get convention updates at aflcio.org.

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: Heartland Labor Forum examines organizing in right-to-work states and why unions there may be “hungrier” and more member-driven. In labor history, Teamsters for a Democratic Union was founded in 1976. Quote of the day: Elizabeth Warren. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: Labor Heritage Power Hour explores why racial equity and solidarity are inseparable in the fight for worker justice. In labor history, Congress approved Taft-Hartley in 1947. Quote of the day: John L. Lewis. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga just wrapped a seven-city labor roundtable tour across Ohio — and the message from workers was the same at every stop. Affordability is the number one issue, trust in government is near rock bottom and working people are ready for something dramatically different come November. On this episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast, Burga breaks down what he heard from union leaders in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Akron, Marietta, Columbus and Toledo, why Democratic primary turnout reached its highest midterm level since 2006 and what the Ohio AFL-CIO is doing to educate members and mobilize votes between now and Election Day. He also raises a sharp warning about Republican plans to place voter ID in the Ohio constitution — despite it already being state law — and previews what is on the agenda at the AFL-CIO national convention in Minneapolis. Visit ohioaflcio.org for more information on the Ohio AFL-CIO's election work.

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: Solidarity Breakfast examines National Sorry Day and the ongoing struggle for justice and recognition for First Nations people in Australia. In labor history, the International Ladies Garment Workers Union was founded in 1900. Quote of the day: Look for the Union Label. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: Riverside Rank and File talks with an Amazon worker about organizing for a voice in pay and workplace decisions. In labor history, Philadelphia printers launched America's first recorded strike in 1786. Quote of the day: Louis Brandeis. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: Labor Radio on KBOO talks with workers organizing at Real You Electrolysis Workers United and the pushback they've faced from management. In labor history, Mexico abolished the siesta in 1944. Quote of the day: Ella Baker. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: the I Am An Actor podcast features Kate Hudson on turning childhood “troublemaking” into a career. In labor history, Disney animators launched their landmark 1941 strike. Quote of the day: Kate Hudson. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: the Labor Heritage Power Hour explores how working people preserve their stories through People's 250, labor art, labor songs, and labor archives. In labor history, 30,000 Rochester workers joined a 1946 general strike. Quote of the day: Charlie Chaplin. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: The Green and Red Podcast explores France's Yellow Vest Movement and how workers built community and resistance after local gathering places disappeared. In labor history, the Supreme Court struck down the NIRA in 1935. Quote of the day: Nelson Mandela. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: The Working People podcast looks at how attacks on labor rights are unfolding inside little-known federal agencies and commissions. In labor history, Actors' Equity was founded in 1913. Quote of the day: George M. Cohan. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: The Worker Power Hour looks at organizing in the warehouse industry and what workers call one of labor's biggest fights today. In labor history, the Remington Rand strike began in 1936. Quote of the day: James Baldwin. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

Ralph welcomes back union organizer, Chris Townsend, to discuss the reasons why the AFL-CIO shrinks from effectively fighting for its members and expanding the power of workers. Then, political scientist Lee Drutman lays out a system of proportional representation that would take away the incentive to gerrymander congressional districts. Plus, Ralph gives some quick takes on Thomas Massie's primary loss, fish hopped up on cocaine, and the situations in Lebanon and Ukraine.Chris Townsend has been a union member and labor leader for more than 45 years. He was most recently the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) International Union Organizing Director. Previously, he was an International Representative and Political Action Director for the United Electrical Workers Union (UE), and he has held local positions in both the SEIU and UFCW.[The upcoming AFL-CIO] convention is deliberately kept secret. It's what I describe as sort of a hideout strategy. It enables the leadership to not have to discuss or take positions that for them are difficult, such as: What is the labor movement going to do to confront the rampant lawlessness and criminality of the Trump regime? What is the labor movement going to do to address the rampaging inflation that is eating up living standards? There's no wage policy. There's no bargaining policy of the Federation. What are they going to do to address the ongoing national health care crisis and disaster?... And what are they doing about the crisis of the unorganized?Chris TownsendThe labor movement finds itself (I would submit) with the leadership disinterested in going out and organizing the unorganized. But even for those who do (and there are some), the laws—Taft-Hartley primary among them—provide such a minefield that we have to run through, that our ability to organize on any scale for decades has been stopped. And therefore, we are condemned to a perpetual shrinking size, resources, and whatnot. [And what] might help for folks to figure out how or why this is happening is that the labor movement is systematically being converted from trade union fighting organizations, membership-driven fighting organizations, to harmless not-for-profit organizations. And this is today's administrative layer of trade union leaders that don't see anything wrong with that. But that doesn't help anyone in the shop, in the office, in the workplace. And it doesn't help anyone looking to the labor movement for something better—better treatment, better wages, better benefits, better conditions, better health and safety in the workplace.Chris TownsendLee Drutman is a senior fellow in the Political Reform program at New America, where he focuses on electoral reform, Congress, and democratic health. He writes the newsletter Undercurrent Events and co-hosts the podcast Politics in Question. And he is the author of The Business of America is Lobbying and Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America.The whole issue of gerrymandering is really just an outgrowth of this way that we use single-winner districts with winner-take-all votes. It's also what entrenches the two-party system in the US, which limits the choice of voters. So there's this one weird voting mechanism that we have that most countries have gotten rid of, that is an antiquated voting system, that preserves the two-party system and makes gerrymandering just inevitable—and that's the use of single-member districts. Now, in a proportional system, you take away the districts, and you do this statewide, you can carve up larger states into a few multi-member districts. And then seats get allocated proportionally by party share. That takes away the entire incentive of gerrymandering, it gives voters everywhere meaningful choices, meaningful votes, and it is just a superior system of representing the pluralism and diversity of our pluralistic and diverse society.Lee DrutmanPeople like the idea of proportional representation as basic fairness—that people think that parties should get seats in proportion to the share of votes they get. I did some polling on it a few years ago, and I'm hoping to do a little bit more… But I think that one of the challenges is people don't entirely understand how it works. And so it's a challenge to poll people on a concept that they don't know about. But I think more and more people understand it. And from the polling I've seen, at a principles-based level, people get the idea that proportionality is a form of fairness, and people like fairness.Lee DrutmanKaty O'Donnell is the editorial director at Haymarket Books, a radical, independent, nonprofit book publisher based in Chicago.News 5/22/26* Our first story this week has to do with what appears to be the impending downfall of ultrazionist media personality, Bari Weiss. Weiss, who resigned from the New York Times to found the Free Press and then sold that venture to become “Editor-in-Chief” for CBS News under the Ellison regime, is reportedly facing down the barrel of her role being scaled back substantially. Puck reports “As Paramount closes in on its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery…members of the senior leadership team have had informal discussions about changing Bari's mandate at CBS News—and, eventually, CNN—in ways that would give her less control over the linear product.” This piece cites her missteps stewarding CBS News, including her inability to improve the ratings for Evening News, even failing to secure new anchor Tony Dokoupil a travel visa to China in time for President Trump's recent visit to the People's Republic. While a total dismissal of Weiss seems unlikely in the near future, such a dramatic reduction in her clout would constitute a tremendous, humbling blow.* Moving to state-level news, last week, Colorado Democratic Governor Jared Polis announced he would be commuting the sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for tampering with voting systems to overturn Joe Biden's victory in the Centennial State. Peters will now be eligible for parole June 1st. This move has been widely condemned, most notably by the Colorado Democratic Party which voted by a margin of over 90% to officially censure Polis. In a statement, the CDP wrote, “Reducing [Peters'] sentence now, under pressure from Donald Trump, is not justice…It sends a message to future bad actors that election tampering has consequences, unless you're friends with the president.” According to NBC, the CDP also banned Polis from being able to “participate as an honored guest, speaker or officially recognized representative of the Colorado Democratic Party at party-sponsored functions.”* In more positive state-level news, NPR reports Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed a bill banning prediction market sites like Polymarket and Kalshi – which allow consumers to “place…wager[s] on…future outcome[s], like sports, elections, live entertainment” – from operating in the North Star State. This makes Minnesota the first state in the nation to ban the prediction betting platforms. As this story notes, the Trump administration is pursuing legal action on behalf of the platforms, ensuring a legal battle over whether states can act to protect their own consumers from these predatory betting services. Minnesota Rep. Emma Greenman, who introduced the measure, is quoted as saying, “We as a state should decide how best and what regulations we think should attach to gambling, to protect public safety, to protect our kids.” The administration, meanwhile, specifically the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is arguing in court that prediction market industry regulation should be the sole preserve of the federal government.* Looking toward Congress, this week saw a number of high-profile primaries, including in the state of Pennsylvania. Leading up to that primary, the Pennsylvania machine went all out against the congressional campaign of State Representative Chris Rabb. Rabb, who had won the endorsements of everyone from AOC and Rashida Tlaib to Jamie Raskin and Philly DSA to the Philadelphia Inquirer, was targeted by a barrage of anonymous text messages to Philadelphia voters accusing him of “spreading conspiracy theories and holding extremist views,” per the Inquirer. What is remarkable about this smear campaign, however, is that it was organized by Philadelphia's Democratic City Committee and that it violated federal election law by failing to disclose that fact. In another troubling portend of things to come, one of the texts featured an “AI-generated image of Rabb acknowledging his supposed lack of legislative accomplishments in Harrisburg.” Rumors have long circulated that Governor Josh Shapiro wanted Rabb to lose, and worked the backrooms to this end while avoiding public statements.* Yet, despite all of that, Rabb prevailed – winning over his two establishment-backed opponents with around 45% of the vote compared to his opponents, who each won approximately 30% and 24% respectively. The Pennsylvania primaries turned out to be a good night for progressives more generally, with Bob Brooks – a firefighter's union chief and former state rep. who successfully united the Democratic Party behind him, winning the endorsements of both Governor Josh Shapiro and Senator Bernie Sanders. Brooks will face off against freshman Republican Congressman Ryan Mackenzie in November in the R+1 seventh district of Pennsylvania, while Rabb's general election campaign is seen as little more than a formality in the D+40 PA-03.* Yet, if it was a good streak for Democratic progressives, it was a very bad one for Trump critics within the GOP. This week, Thomas Massie lost his primary in Kentucky's fourth congressional district, buckling under the war chest deployed against him in what amounted to the most expensive House primary on record. Massie joked that “My vote was never for sale, so they bought a congressional seat. They found out what it cost.” Massie, perhaps Trump's most formidable intra-party opponent in the House during his second term, worked with Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna on bills ranging from the Epstein Files Transparency Act to War Powers Resolutions related to the administration's actions in Venezuela and Iran. In retaliation, Trump made it clear that he would go to any lengths to ensure Massie would not be reelected. That said, Massie will remain in the House until January and has indicated that he will make that time as painful for Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson as he possibly can. Moreover, during his concession speech, Massie's supporters chanted for him to run for president in 2028, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Whether he is even entertaining that thought is unclear, but if he did run as a right-wing independent candidate, one could easily imagine him capturing a large enough share of the vote to deny certain states to the Republican nominee. Meanwhile, his ally across the aisle, Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna, said in a statement that Massie “lost because he had the guts to stand up to the Epstein class and against the war…He won voters under 45 by 30 points…Tonight, I say to [his] voters who feel rejected by Trump. We welcome you. Join our coalition to take on a rotten system and stand for the working class over the Epstein class.”* Massie isn't the only Republican targeted in the latest round of Trump purges. Downballot, Trump loyalists have ousted the Indiana Republicans who resisted Trump's pressure to implement mid-decade redistricting, but the real scalps he is claiming are in the Senate. Last weekend, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana lost his primary runoff. Fox reports this makes Cassidy the “first elected Republican senator to lose renomination since Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana in 2012.” Trump wasted no time in dancing on Cassidy's political grave, writing on Truth Social, “His disloyalty to the man who got him elected is now a part of a legend, and it's nice to see that his political career is OVER!” His supposed disloyalty, of course, refers to Cassidy's vote to convict Trump in the Senate trial for his second impeachment following January 6th. Former Senator Mitt Romney, who also voted to convict, is quoted in this article saying that Cassidy is a “person of character,” and that his “departure is a loss for the country.” Cassidy, however, is likely soon to be joined by longtime Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn. Cornyn is currently making his last stand against scandal-ridden Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in that runoff election. Trump has long prevaricated regarding whether and whom he would endorse in this race, at times leaning towards either candidate but remaining neutral up until this week, when he formally gave the nod to Paxton, per the Texas Tribune. This move has caused great consternation amongst Senate Republicans and cautious optimism among Democrats, who see Paxton as the weaker opponent to go up against Democratic nominee James Talarico in November – giving Democrats their best chance in years to flip a Senate seat in Texas.* What Cornyn's next move will be is a mystery, especially as he has not yet officially lost the Texas primary. Cassidy, however, appears to have chosen the Massie route of going down fighting. This week, Cassidy flipped his position to become the deciding vote in favor of the Senate War Powers Resolution on Iran – successfully pushing it through along with support from fellow Republican Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Rand Paul, despite disloyal opposition from Democratic Senator John Fetterman. The measure was then sent back to the House, but fearful it might actually pass – Democratic holdout Jared Golden had vowed to vote yes, and war-weary House Republicans Thomas Massie, Warren Davidson, Brian Fitzpatrick and Tom Barrett were all signaling their support – leadership abruptly canceled the vote, per MSN.* One factor cited in the Republicans' calculus around this latest War Powers push was the absences of Members of Congress. In their view, the absences would have given Democrats the votes they needed to win. Two of these absences have garnered substantial attention in the media: those of Republican Congressman Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey and Democratic Congresswoman Frederica Wilson of Florida. The 83-year-old Wilson, who was missing for a month with little public acknowledgment or explanation, has finally resurfaced, saying that she was undergoing a major eye surgery but still plans to seek reelection. In a remarkably tone-deaf comment, a source close to the Congresswoman was quoted in Axios saying “missing votes is not a sign she's sick or retiring…She shows up when she wants to.” Still, at least her absence has been explained and she has now returned to her duties in the House. Congressman Kean's disappearance is more mysterious. As of May 21st, Kean has not “been seen in Washington for more than 75 days,” NOTUS reports. When his absence first began to gain media traction, his Chief of Staff added fuel to the fire with the cryptic remark “there are no cameras where Tom is.” Now it is being reported that his neighbors back in New Jersey haven't seen hide nor hair either. There has been some indication that Kean is dealing with a personal or medical issue, but Speaker Mike Johnson claims to have no knowledge of the particulars. It is not controversial to say that being an American Member of Congress is too important to simply be AWOL for long periods of time, especially without deigning to explain why to one's constituents. Something must be done.* Finally, we turn to Latin America, where former president Evo Morales has leveled claims that the government of his native Bolivia, in coordination with the DEA and the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) is plotting to “detain or kill” him, TeleSUR reports. According to this report, “Morales detailed specific military units allegedly involved, including the Army's Ninth Division in the tropical region under Colonel Franz Andrade Loza, whom he said the government promised to promote to general and appoint as armed forces commander ‘if he finishes off Evo.'” Morales also “cited an F-10 unit under Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Giménez Ortuño,” a former aide to the defense minister in the government of the unelected U.S.-backed regime of Jeanine Áñez. These allegations sound somewhat outlandish, but in a moment when the U.S. has recently kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, worked to undermine the governments of Mexico and Colombia via the Hondurasgate scheme, and just recently moved to indict 94 year old Raúl Castro for his role in an incident three decades ago when the Cuban government downed a civilian aircraft that entered their sovereign airspace, it does not seem so far fetched.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: The Boiling Point podcast explores why labor organizing must connect workers' jobs, communities, churches, and everyday lives. In labor history, Gene Debs was jailed for his role in the Pullman Strike. Quote of the day: Gene Debs. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: The Labor Heritage Power Hour explores why culture shapes power, politics, and how working people see themselves. In labor history, Hawaii plantation workers won higher wages and a 40-hour week after a 79-day strike. Quote of the day: April Verrett. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: The Workers Mic talks with animal care specialists at Brookfield Zoo about respect, labor, and why “zookeeper” misses the point. In labor history, the Railway Labor Act took effect in 1926. Quote of the day: Charles Horton Cooley. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

What happens when a Democrat speechwriter for the AFL-CIO and an unaffiliated conservative election denier sit down and discover they agree on more than they disagree? Ashe welcomes Tricia Calvaresi, the last Democrat to challenge Lauren Boebert, for a conversation that earns its question mark. From Colorado's NGO corruption machine to the broken mental health system, the globalist central planning apparatus to the civil war inside the Democratic Party, this one goes everywhere. Ashe closes with an exclusive update from her visit with Tina Peters in prison, including what Tina wants first when she walks out. It's a steak. Obviously.

Who doesn't love a library? Unfortunately, library workers at Mid-Continent Libraries don't feel much love from their bosses, and they've organized a union. We'll have them and results of their vote on it on tonight's show. Then, one might think that being head of the Texas AFL-CIO would be a thankless job in such an anti-union state, but Rick Levy made the state's labor movement broader, bolder, and more inclusive. We'll find out how. Our feature is Know Your Rights with Michael Amash.

Voting rights advocates warn Alabama redistricting fights could weaken Black voting power, on the Valley Labor Report. In labor history, the 1920 Matewan shootout erupts in West Virginia. Quote of the day: John Sayles. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

Why would anyone have been out to harm Walter Reuther?This controversial book details intense internal struggles in the UAW (United Auto Workers), especially between socialists, communists, and more conservative factions. Walter Reuther was a powerful figure in labor, especially within the UAW, and somebody doesn't want him remembered. His work involved leadership in organizing industrial workers, fighting factional conflicts within the union, and pushing for workers' rights and social justice. He was a skilled union leader who combined militancy with negotiation, significantly shaping labor relations in the U.S. Covert Magazine published an article on May 8, 2026, confirming that "Labor Leader Walter Reuther Was Among 1960s Liberal Leaders Who Appear to Have Been Assassinated By 'the Deep State.'" There are no facts to support the theory that Walter Reuther died in an airplane "accident." Newly discovered documents provide solid evidence of an assassination. The more closely this is observed, the more obvious it becomes. Reuther's battles with key figures like Homer Martin and Jay Lovestone—who became a CIA agent—and his eventual opposition to communist influence in the union, shaped the UAW's direction and contributed to his complex legacy. Walter and his brother Victor exposed the CIA's involvement in labor movements abroad, particularly through the AIFLD, linked to covert operations.This led to conflicts within the labor movement and contributed to UAW's withdrawal from the AFL-CIO. Reuther played a leading role in the Civil Rights and Anti-War Movements, too. He was a significant labor ally, supporting civil rights marches and challenging racial discrimination. The suspicious circumstances of Reuther's death have not been officially investigated. Author Rob McKenzie is a former Ford Assembler and long-time UAW leader. Here, he details the incriminating facts he has unearthed surrounding the crash at the Pellston airport as well as the obstruction put up by the FBI, the NTSB and others who hold the evidence of the crime. His connections within organized labor helped dig up long-suppressed documents. First-hand knowledge and decades of experience in the UAW provide a new perspective on Reuther's life, death, and legacy. The book argues that Reuther was assassinated due to his political positions and conflicts with the CIA and other powerful entities.CIA and Intelligence Agency interference is strongly suggested by the circumstances. The long-standing antagonism between Reuther and the CIA, with its covert operations that intersected with labor politics, made him a target. Judging by the decline of the UAW after his removal, the powers-that-be won. The UAW leadership shifted towards more conservative, cooperative relations with employers, moving away from Reuther's social unionism. The book highlights how the union's political and strategic path changed, leading to challenges in adapting to globalization and labor struggles. Despite new evidence and suspicions, the UAW leadership, the FBI and the NTSB have refused to launch thorough investigation. Attempts by family members, private investigators, and researchers to uncover the truth and seek justice have been met with resistance and silence. The book situates Reuther's assassination in its historical context alongside other politically significant assassinations of the era (John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Robert Kennedy) and calls for a reassessment of his life and death in light of suppressed information. Walter Reuther was a pivotal labor leader. His assassination shows every sign of being politically motivated and covered up. The author supports his conclusions with extensive documentation, interviews, and references to FBI files, union records, and personal accounts.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: The Union Bug digs into the growing boycott of REI and workers' claims that management is fundamentally opposed to unions. In labor history, Big Bill Haywood died in exile in 1928. Quote of the day: Big Bill Haywood. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

Why would anyone have been out to harm Walter Reuther?This controversial book details intense internal struggles in the UAW (United Auto Workers), especially between socialists, communists, and more conservative factions. Walter Reuther was a powerful figure in labor, especially within the UAW, and somebody doesn't want him remembered. His work involved leadership in organizing industrial workers, fighting factional conflicts within the union, and pushing for workers' rights and social justice. He was a skilled union leader who combined militancy with negotiation, significantly shaping labor relations in the U.S. Covert Magazine published an article on May 8, 2026, confirming that "Labor Leader Walter Reuther Was Among 1960s Liberal Leaders Who Appear to Have Been Assassinated By 'the Deep State.'" There are no facts to support the theory that Walter Reuther died in an airplane "accident." Newly discovered documents provide solid evidence of an assassination. The more closely this is observed, the more obvious it becomes. Reuther's battles with key figures like Homer Martin and Jay Lovestone—who became a CIA agent—and his eventual opposition to communist influence in the union, shaped the UAW's direction and contributed to his complex legacy. Walter and his brother Victor exposed the CIA's involvement in labor movements abroad, particularly through the AIFLD, linked to covert operations.This led to conflicts within the labor movement and contributed to UAW's withdrawal from the AFL-CIO. Reuther played a leading role in the Civil Rights and Anti-War Movements, too. He was a significant labor ally, supporting civil rights marches and challenging racial discrimination. The suspicious circumstances of Reuther's death have not been officially investigated. Author Rob McKenzie is a former Ford Assembler and long-time UAW leader. Here, he details the incriminating facts he has unearthed surrounding the crash at the Pellston airport as well as the obstruction put up by the FBI, the NTSB and others who hold the evidence of the crime. His connections within organized labor helped dig up long-suppressed documents. First-hand knowledge and decades of experience in the UAW provide a new perspective on Reuther's life, death, and legacy. The book argues that Reuther was assassinated due to his political positions and conflicts with the CIA and other powerful entities.CIA and Intelligence Agency interference is strongly suggested by the circumstances. The long-standing antagonism between Reuther and the CIA, with its covert operations that intersected with labor politics, made him a target. Judging by the decline of the UAW after his removal, the powers-that-be won. The UAW leadership shifted towards more conservative, cooperative relations with employers, moving away from Reuther's social unionism. The book highlights how the union's political and strategic path changed, leading to challenges in adapting to globalization and labor struggles. Despite new evidence and suspicions, the UAW leadership, the FBI and the NTSB have refused to launch thorough investigation. Attempts by family members, private investigators, and researchers to uncover the truth and seek justice have been met with resistance and silence. The book situates Reuther's assassination in its historical context alongside other politically significant assassinations of the era (John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Robert Kennedy) and calls for a reassessment of his life and death in light of suppressed information. Walter Reuther was a pivotal labor leader. His assassination shows every sign of being politically motivated and covered up. The author supports his conclusions with extensive documentation, interviews, and references to FBI files, union records, and personal accounts.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.

Why are bankers, the AFL-CIO, and law enforcement unions all storming Capitol Hill at the same time? In this episode of the Bitcoin Policy Hour, Zack Cohen sits down with Zack Shapiro and Ken Egan to dissect the CLARITY Act markup, the BRCA developer protection carve-out, and the bizarre coalition trying to kill stablecoin yield. They explain why Tim Scott and the Senate Banking Republicans held the line and what 100+ amendments from Senator Cortez Masto really mean.

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: the Project Labor podcast explores workers caught between management and labor struggle, plus Harold Phillips previews this weekend's labor arts events. In labor history, IWW songwriter T-Bone Slim died in 1942. Quote of the day: T-Bone Slim. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: The Labor Heritage Power Hour spotlights worker culture, frontline care work, and why “labor is art.” In labor history, Milwaukee brewery workers launched a strike in 1953. Quote of the day: George Bancroft. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: the Solidarity Report says solidarity means standing together even when it's hard to see what's in it for you. In labor history, Canada created a Department of Labour in 1909. Quote of the day: Doug Fraser. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

In this episode, Leslie speaks with AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond about a Supreme Court ruling the labor movement is calling a dangerous setback for voting rights and working people. Fred explains why the AFL-CIO sees the decision as part of a broader effort to weaken the political power of working Americans—especially Black, Latino, and Native communities—and how attacks on voting rights are deeply connected to issues like wages, workplace protections, union strength, and economic fairness. The conversation also explores the historic connection between the labor movement and the civil rights movement, why many Americans feel democracy is becoming less responsive to ordinary people, and what organized labor plans to do next in response. It's a powerful discussion about democracy, representation, and why the fight for voting rights remains central to the fight for workers' rights. The website for the AFL-CIO is AFLCIO.org and their handle on Blue Sky is @AFLCIO. Their handle on Facebook, Instagram and X is @AFLCIO. Fred's handle on X is @STRedmond.

As working-class Americans demonstrate increasing willingness to support conservative political candidates, some ostensible conservatives—some perhaps in service to their think tank's funders in left-wing Big Philanthropy and others perhaps in the delusion that Big Labor will lead them to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue—have argued that the path to working-class support is through union bosses' marble and stone palaces in Washington, D.C. and other big blue cities. Today's guest brings warnings that that way lies madness—or at least self-inflicted defeat, because those palaces still serve the Left as they have for (at least) almost a century. Today Tom Jones of the American Accountability Foundation brings the receipts, with documentation on how private-sector unions that have Republican members have been using their (often forced) dues to fund the Institutional Left.see lessScathing report claims nation's oldest labor union 'betrayed' MAGA members through 'shocking' spendingDUKE: A Shaky Ceasefire And A Union BetrayalMaking the AFL-CIO great again: labor policy in 2026Some local Teamsters groups announce Harris endorsements after national union declines to do soDoes Big Labor truly represent the American worker?Big Labor sees pensions as a “weapon”

In this episode, Leslie speaks with AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond about a Supreme Court ruling the labor movement is calling a dangerous setback for voting rights and working people. Fred explains why the AFL-CIO sees the decision as part of a broader effort to weaken the political power of working Americans—especially Black, Latino, and Native communities—and how attacks on voting rights are deeply connected to issues like wages, workplace protections, union strength, and economic fairness. The conversation also explores the historic connection between the labor movement and the civil rights movement, why many Americans feel democracy is becoming less responsive to ordinary people, and what organized labor plans to do next in response. It's a powerful discussion about democracy, representation, and why the fight for voting rights remains central to the fight for workers' rights. The website for the AFL-CIO is AFLCIO.org and their handle on Blue Sky is @AFLCIO. Their handle on Facebook, Instagram and X is @AFLCIO. Fred's handle on X is @STRedmond.

On today's Labor Radio Podcast Daily: the Work Stoppage podcast says May Day is workers' real labor holiday, not the “bulls--t holiday” chosen to erase labor history. In labor history, ICE raided the Agriprocessors plant in Iowa in 2008. Quote of the day: George Escobar. @wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Produced by Chris Garlock, Patrick Dixon and Harold Phillips.

Ralph welcomes six authors to discuss their books: “Beyond Nuclear” founder Linda Gunter; trial lawyer Sean Simpson; law professor Elizabeth Burch; naturalist David Schmidt; industrial hygienist Marc Axelrod; and educator and advocate Jonathan Kozol.Linda Gunter is the founder of the US-based non-profit Beyond Nuclear and serves as its international specialist. Previously, she was a journalist at USA Network, Reuters, and The Times. She launched, and writes for Beyond Nuclear's online magazine, Beyond Nuclear International. And she is the author of No To Nuclear: Why Nuclear Power Destroys Lives, Derails Climate Progress and Provokes War.We need to reduce the most carbon, the fastest, for the least cost—and that's renewables every time. But it's also an issue of: as we divert funds towards nuclear power (new reactors, which are not here now, they're just aspirational ideas on paper, none of the designs have certifications or licenses yet) as we divert time and our money towards waiting for something that will perhaps take a decade or two (or never) to materialize, and as we squeeze out renewables in the process, what do we do? We continue to burn fossil fuels. So actually, choosing nuclear as an answer to climate makes the climate crisis worse.Linda GunterSean Simpson is an attorney specializing in civil jury trials, representing individuals who have been harmed by someone else's carelessness or intentional wrongdoing. He is the author of Punitive Damages: The Lawyer's Tool for Shaping Society.[Punitive damages are] typically not covered by insurance. But oddly enough, there's a trend coming now where these corporations—because they're in control, we've let them have the reins, and now they're getting insurance companies to sell them coverage to cover their punitive damages, which is totally a 180. If somebody else is going to pay your punishment for you, it's not going to sting your rump if somebody gets spanked on somebody else's behind.Sean SimpsonElizabeth Burch is a professor at the University of Georgia School of Law, and co-author of Perceptions of Justice in Multidistrict Litigation: Voices from the Crowd. She is the author of The Pain Brokers: How Con Men, Call Centers, and Rogue Doctors Fuel America's Lawsuit Factory.Imagine that you are sitting in your kitchen and you get a phone call one night. And you answer, and the person on the other end of the line knows an inordinate amount of information about you—they know your name, they know your birth date, they know the name of your doctor, the name of your hospital, the date and type of medical implant that you had put in you. And then they tell you that you have a ticking time bomb in you. And if you don't have this removed immediately (that in this case was pelvic mesh, which is designed to deal with incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse) that you are going to die. But not to worry, they are setting up appointments down in South Florida to have the mesh removed. What they don't say is all of the important things.Elizabeth BurchDavid Schmidt is lifelong San Francisco Bay Area resident, naturalist, and environmental historian. He worked as a writer in the public affairs office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in San Francisco from 1991 to 2021, led dozens of hikes for the Greenbelt Alliance in the region's extensive public parklands, and volunteered on habitat restoration projects for the Golden Gate National Parks and the California Native Plant Society. He is the author of San Francisco Bay Area: An Environmental History.I think [the environmental movement in the Bay Area] is the most successful regional environmental movement in US history. Its victories have had a tremendous impact on protecting the natural landscape, the agricultural landscape. And this is a landscape that is famous for its scenic beauty. It's among the world's most biodiverse landscapes with more than a thousand species of plants and wildlife. And persistence pays off. That is the theme that comes across time and again with environmental victories is: persistence pays off.David SchmidtMarc Axelrod is an award-winning front line industrial hygienist and workplace safety professional. He has developed and implemented programs to protect people from industry's most hazardous technologies. He has worked for employers including Boeing, Kaiser Permanente, UCLA and the City of Beverly Hills. He is the author of The Flame Bucket: Adventures in Workplace Safety.You can lie down in the flame bucket and stop a [rocket] launch, but you can only do it once. So I decided that we had a very risky program [at the city of Beverly Hills]. It was for testing our commercial drivers for alcohol and drugs. And somehow they got a big percentage of them, almost a third of them, got left out of the program. And I can see, being backstage, what happens in city government where people leave and people come and how these kinds of things can occur. But when they do happen, what you've got to do is stop everything, blame the people that left, and then fix it right away. But this program—even though people knew that there was a big gap in it, they just didn't want to fix it. But I knew as City Safety Officer, I was responsible. So after months of delay, I said, “Listen, these drivers can't drive anymore. They can't do their safety functions without a clearance test from our drug and alcohol program.” And so that got their attention, and we quickly fixed the program, and I got a lot of thank yous. And then a few days later, I was fired.Marc AxelrodJonathan Kozol is a leading advocate for child-centered learning, equality, and racial justice in our nation's schools, and he travels and lectures about educational inequality and racial injustice. Mr. Kozol is the author of nearly a dozen books about young children and their public schools, including Death at an Early Age, An End to Inequality: Breaking Down the Walls of Apartheid Education in America, and We Shall Not Bow Down: Children of Color Under Siege: An Invocation to Resistance.My book is not simply a polite description of these problems. It's probably the most militant book I've ever written. It's an open call for militant resistance. And, you know, I get condemned for that, but I'm not afraid to say that I'm an unregenerate activist, and I'm too old to change my stripes.Jonathan KozolNews 5/1/26* Perhaps the biggest news of the week is the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in Louisiana v. Callais to gut Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which preserved majority-minority congressional districts. In practice, this ruling gives conservative Southern states license to draw these districts out of existence. Jonathan Cervas, a political scientist at Carnegie-Mellon University who has served as a special master in multiple Voting Rights Act cases, is quoted in AP saying “The Voting Rights Act as a means to protect minority voters from vote dilution is essentially dead.” In the Washington Post, NAACP President Derrick Johnson called the decision “a devastating blow to what remains of the Voting Rights Act, and a license for corrupt politicians who want to rig the system by silencing entire communities,” and “a major setback for our nation and…the hard-won victories we've fought, bled, and died for.” In practice, this ruling is sure to set off a new round of redrawing congressional districts, likely resulting in a net gain of 12 seats – half of the Southern Section 2 districts – for the GOP. In Louisiana itself, CNN reports Governor Jeff Landry has halted House primaries, where “Early voting was scheduled to begin Saturday and overseas ballots had already gone out.” Moreover, “Democratic Rep. Cleo Fields, whose district is at the center of the Supreme Court's redistricting decision, said…Landry had told him he anticipated issuing an executive order to suspend the House election and call a new one.”* Speaking of Southern congressional districts, in Florida's 20th district, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has “defiantly” filed to run again in the special election for her former district, per NOTUS. Cherfilus-McCormick resigned her seat in Congress last week just minutes before the House Ethics Committee was scheduled to “recommend punishment on an array of charges.” She had previously been found guilty of “25 ethics violations, including allegedly stealing $5 million dollars in federal disaster-aid funds used to bolster her 2021 campaign,” following an extensive investigation running for two years and including “issuing 58 subpoenas, interviewing 28 witnesses and reviewing over 33,000 documents.” Elijah Manley, the young progressive running for the seat, is quoted saying “Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned in disgrace moments before her colleagues were set to expel her from Congress…The last thing our community needs is a second round of chaos and instability. She should focus on her legal troubles.”* In more positive news from Congress, Rep. Greg Casar announced this week that the Congressional Progressive Caucus he chairs is issuing a new Affordability Agenda, bringing together a slew of bills sponsored by progressives – on topics ranging from housing to groceries to prescription drugs and more – into a unified package. In an introduction, the Caucus emphasizes that “Americans are facing a cost-of-living crisis and…At the same time, Democrats are searching for a vision that wins back the trust of working families and provides a mandate to deliver the big changes our country needs in 2026.” The question now is whether the Democratic Party will take up this banner and run with it or once again spurn their progressive base.* Meanwhile, the Trump administration is occupied with their continuing efforts to persecute comedians for anodyne jokes. The latest on this front is the Federal Communications Commission ordering the Walt Disney Company's ABC to seek early broadcast license renewals for the eight TV stations it owns, following a joke about Melania Trump on Jimmy Kimmel's late night show, NPR reports. The joke, a “mock speech for an alternative White House Correspondents' Dinner,” which went “Our first lady Melania is here. So beautiful. Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow,” aired three days before the actual White House Correspondents' Dinner and the corresponding security threat. Kimmel has stressed that the joke was about the age difference between the President and First Lady “not, by any stretch of the definition, a call to assassination. And they know that.” FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez, sole Democrat still on the commission, issued a statement calling this “the most egregious action this FCC has taken in violation of the First Amendment to date…As part of its ongoing campaign of censorship and control, the White House called publicly for the silencing of a vocal critic, and this FCC has now answered that call.”* Another scandalous act of corruption from inside the federal government came to light this week with Gannon Ken Van Dyke, a special operations soldier stationed at Fort Bragg being charged with insider trading. Specifically, Van Dyke is charged with three counts of violating the Commodity Exchange Account, one count of wire fraud and one count of an unlawful money transaction for using classified government information to win over $400,000 via prediction betting site Polymarket vis-a-vis the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, per the Hill. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton, also heading up the prosecution of President Maduro, is quoted saying “Prediction markets are not a haven for using misappropriated confidential or classified information for personal gain.” For their part, Polymarket has announced tightened insider trading rules, but continues to insist that “When we identified a user trading on classified government information, we referred the matter to the DOJ & cooperated with their investigation,” and that Van Dyke's arrest is “proof the system works.”* In more news related to Latin America, a new poll shows leftist Senator and presidential candidate Iván Cepeda with a substantial lead, according to the City Paper Bogotá. In polls of the first round, Cepeda drew 44.3%, while his rivals, Abelardo de la Espriella and Paloma Valencia drew 21.5% and 19.8% respectively, an impressive showing for Valencia who has nearly doubled her support since the last poll was taken. In the second round, polling shows Cepeda besting both rivals, 54.6% to 42.6% against de la Espriella and a narrower 51.2% versus 46.6% against Valencia. A Cepeda victory would continue the leftward trend in Colombian politics begun with the election of Gustavo Petro in 2022, a remarkable turnaround for one of the most stalwart conservative countries in the region.* Elsewhere on the globe, a new poll shows Jeremy Corbyn – the British left icon, former Labour Party leader and founder of Your Party – in danger of losing his long-held seat in the riding of Islington North. Corbyn, who was first elected to the seat in 1983, was able to keep his seat as an independent MP even after his expulsion from the Labour Party following the hostile takeover of the party by the centrist Keir Starmer regime. Yet now, with Your Party coming apart at the seams, the Greens look poised to capture the seat. However, the Canary notes that this poll only asked voters about their partisan voting intentions, with no mention of individual candidates. This means even if voters in Islington North are more sympathetic to the Greens overall, they could still return Corbyn himself to Parliament. Nevertheless, this poll gives some indication of how successfully the Greens have outmaneuvered Your Party, even in what should be their most solid riding.* Another iconic British public figure – King Charles III – is in America this week for a royal visit in which he addressed a joint session of Congress, met with President Trump and enjoyed a White House dinner. On Wednesday, the King attended a wreath-laying ceremony at Ground Zero in New York City, along with New York Governor Kathy Hochul, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and, most strikingly, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. This unlikely pairing has clearly piqued the interest of the press, who asked Mayor Mamdani what he would talk about with the King if they were to have a private moment together. While the duo did not ultimately have a private meeting, Mamdani responded that he would “probably encourage [the King] to return the Kohinoor diamond,” which POLITICO identifies as “an enormous bauble set into a royal crown on display in the Tower of London,” noting that the diamond has “become a point of contention between England and India.”* In more local news, with the protracted California gubernatorial primary on the horizon at last, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees or IATSE, has thrown their weight behind progressive billionaire Tom Steyer, Variety reports. This piece notes Steyer's pledge to keep film and television production in Los Angeles along with his outspoken criticism of the merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. as well as his proposal to levy a tax on AI computations and use the proceeds to “fund training for displaced workers.” IATSE represents around 50,000 workers in California and 130,000 workers nationwide. Steyer has amassed considerable union support in his bid for perhaps the second most powerful political executive position in the country after the presidency, including the California Teachers Association, the California Federation of Teachers, and the California Nurses Association. Steyer's closest Democratic rival in the open primary, former Congressman, state Attorney General and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra is racking up endorsements as well, including from Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and powerful California politicianss such as Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. With a close race between the top four leading Democrats and Republicans, the June 2nd primary is sure to conclude with a photo finish.* Finally, in Washington DC, the Democratic Mayoral primary continues to grow more acrimonious. This week, former Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, the candidate backed by corporate donors and the DC political establishment, criticized progressive Councilmember Janeese Lewis-George in a fundraising email for supposedly accepting “dark money from outside interest groups.” Which groups you may ask? Local unions, representing tens of thousands of DC workers, including local branches of the AFL-CIO, UFCW, transit workers, teachers, the building trades and more. In a stinging rebuke, the unions excoriated McDuffie for his “disturbing pattern of anti-union talking points and votes” including opposition to wage increases for DC restaurant and child-care workers – while simultaneously accepting donations from “MAGA developers…[and] utility and energy executives.” Moreover, Axios reports Safe & Affordable DC, a labor-aligned super PAC, is launching a half-million dollar ad blitz attacking McDuffie on his record of favoritism towards the utilities at a moment when bills are higher than ever. Tensions mounted even higher this week, when the D.C. Office of Campaign Finance opened an investigation to determine whether Lewis George's campaign is collaborating too closely with her union allies – an allegation she has dismissed as “baseless.” It is worth noting that DC progressives have had this accusation leveled at them in the past, only for it to indeed prove baseless. Expect this race to get more heated, and more expensive, the closer we get to the June 16th primary.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Dropkick Murphys frontman Ken Casey co-hosts with Jim and Margery today. With guests: Michael Patrick MacDonald, the author of "All Souls: Memoir of a Family From Southie."Live Music Friday with local Americana, folk and rock singer-songwriter Jesse Ahern.Michael Fanone is a former DC Metropolitan police officer who was injured in the J-6 attack on the Capitol. He joins us. And on this May Day, Chrissy Lynch, head of the AFL-CIO of Massachusetts, talks about working class politics.

The Capital District Area Labor Federation is holding a MAY DAY rally in West Capitol Park in Albany on May 1st at 5:30 PM. International Workers' Day is the day the world celebrates the bravery of workers throughout history who have sacrificed for safety, dignity and justice on the job. This year's even will speak out against the attacks on immigrannts, the war in Iran, and the suppression of democracy. Mark Emanation of CDALF talks with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Two powerhouses of the American labor movement join the America's Work Force Union Podcast today to discuss the evolving strategy of the AFL-CIO in the nation's most critical political and economic hubs. Segment 1: Organizing and AI in the Golden State Lorena Gonzalez, President of the California Federation of Labor Unions, joins us to explain why California is the nation's primary testing ground for worker-friendly legislation. Gonzalez breaks down: The Enforcement Gap: Why strong labor laws don't matter without accountability for wage theft and safety violations. Organizing at Scale: How the federation added 100,000 members last year through initiatives like the UnionizeCalifornia.org portal. The AI Frontline: Setting guardrails on technology to prevent surveillance and the "deskilling" of the workforce. Segment 2: Mobilizing the Midwest and Honoring the Fallen Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, provides a status report on the labor-to-labor outreach program as Ohio heads into a high-stakes primary. Burga discusses: The Path to Power: Supporting union members running for office and cutting through "big money" with direct, workplace leafleting and door-to-door canvassing. Political Energy: Why affordability and federal labor attacks are driving record-breaking engagement among Ohio union households. Workers Memorial Day: A look back at the 1940 Willow Grove mine disaster and why the fight for on-the-job safety remains a personal and professional priority for the federation. Join the Fight Every victory at the bargaining table starts with workers standing together. Subscribe to the America's Work Force Union Podcast to stay informed on the leaders and organizers building real power across America. Learn more at: awf.labortools.com

The data center boom is reshaping the Midwest, while at the national level, workers are rising up to demand economic accountability. On this episode of the America's Work Force Union Podcast, we tackle two defining fronts of the modern labor movement: the massive industrial build-out of digital infrastructure and the nationwide mobilization for affordability and representation. Segment 1: Building the Digital Backbone of Ohio Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joins us to discuss the staggering scale of data center construction in the region. The Numbers: Why 20 million labor hours are just the beginning for the building trades. The Career Path: How IBEW Local 1105 and others are scaling apprenticeship programs to create six-figure careers without a college degree. The Community Impact: Addressing local concerns and why data centers are a long-term win for the middle class. Segment 2: AFL-CIO Mobilizes for Economic Fairness Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, joins the program to discuss why workers are taking to the streets to demand relief from the rising cost of living. The Mobilization: Insights from the "No Kings Day" rallies and the disconnect between Washington policy and kitchen-table math. Voter Education: Why the AFL-CIO is treating the ballot box as a workplace safety and standards issue. A Historic Milestone: A look at Roxanne Brown's rise to become the 10th International President of the United Steelworkers.

This is our daily Tech and Business report. KCBS Radio News Anchor Holly Quan spoke with Bloomberg's Emily Birnbaum. As the US government attempts to solidify its position on AI big tech and labor unions are trying to push federal policy in different directions. Labor Unions such as AFL-CIO generally want more guardrails and regulation whereas big tech favors a more Laissez-Faire approach. Both groups met with lawmakers last week.

Membership in California labor unions grew by over 100,000 members between 2024 and 2025, and California union membership currently stands at 2.4 million - the most of any state. These gains come in the face of strong anti-labor policies put in place by the Trump Administration. Our guest today is one of the reasons for those gains. Former Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez is the President of the California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO, which is made up of more than 1,300 unions, representing 2.3 million members. in the Legislature, Gonzalez was one of the most respected - and feared - members.  She has brought her patented take-no-prisoners approach to the Labor Fed, getting arrested at protests and sparring online with foes ranging from Elon Musk to centrist Democrats. We spoke with Gonzalez about the status of the labor movement, the threat - and opportunities - of AI, and the impact of Cesar Chavez' sudden downfall.  1:26 Capitol Briefs 2:18 Jacqui Nguyen 3:21 Remembering Sam Kieth 6:27 Lorena Gonzalez 8:53 Where is the governor on AI bills? 10:52 And the gubernatorial candidates? 14:13 "Everything is AI enabled" 16:04 What are the big issues for Labor in 2026? 17:25 "Labor grew in California last year by 100,000 members" 19:29 Quad endorsement 22:08 More union members voted MAGA in 2024 - where are they now? 25:47 Are the Dems hearing the Labor message? 29:00 The impact of the Chavez revelations 38:10 #WWCA Want to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/ Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang "#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

(00:00:00) Welcome back, Introduction and IAFF Updates (00:13:53) The Save Act, discussion and debate Welcome back to the IAFF 7th District Podcast! After a long hiatus, we are back with a new format. We will be coming to you live, and with a video format streamed on our online platforms. Join us for Episdode 15 as Reece and Ricky dive into The Save Act, voter restriction legislation that is curruenty being debated in the senate that could significantly impact your ability to vote. This is a great introductory eposide for our new format with call in discussion and debate surrounding all sides of the issues regarding “election security” in the United States. We are joined by Curtis Smith from the Professional Fire Fighters of Idaho, Shayne Wescott from the Alaska Professional Fire Fighters, Lara McLean from the Ketchum Idaho Fire Fighters, and Tim Hoover IAFF DFSR and WSCFF District Rep.  For future episodes, we plan to share the show link and agenda ahead of time with you, so you have the opportunity to call in to give opinions and debate on our agenda! Follow the IAFF 7th District today on all major social media outlets. Videocast available on our Meta platforms, and coming soon to Youtube.Find us atFacebook- @IAFF7thDVPInstagram- @iaffmag7Do you have issues you would like to bring to the podcast? Drop us a line on social media today

On this episode of the America's Work Force Union Podcast, we tackle the critical intersection of benefit access and public safety. In Segment 1, Tera Clizbe, the first female chair of the Blue Cross Blue Shield National Labor Office Executive Board, discusses the evolution of labor-focused healthcare. She breaks down why strong benefits only matter if members can navigate the system, the rising urgency of mental health support, and how labor solidarity drives disaster response in hard-hit communities. In Segment 2, Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department (TTD), AFL-CIO, joins us to discuss the legislative battles surrounding the Jones Act and aviation safety. Regan explains why suspending maritime standards won't fix fuel prices and calls for stronger safety reforms following the 2025 Potomac River midair collision. Plus, an update on protecting the Railroad Retirement Board's administrative capacity.

Technology is reshaping the American workplace, but who decides the rules of engagement? In today's episode, we sit down with two major labor leaders to discuss how unions are ensuring workers aren't left behind by infrastructure shifts or digital automation. Segment 1: Broadband Justice & Inclusive Leadership Frank Mathews, Administrative Director for CWA District 4, joins the show to discuss the union's multi-front battle for broadband expansion. He highlights why high-speed internet is a 21st-century civil right and explains how CWA is cultivating a new generation of diverse leaders to meet these challenges. Mathews also shares a personal call to action for a fellow union brother's family in need of a kidney donor. Segment 2: Putting Workers First in the AI Revolution Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga breaks down the "Workers First" initiative on Artificial Intelligence. As the Ohio Statehouse begins debating AI legislation, Burga outlines the essential guardrails needed to prevent job displacement and algorithmic bias. From the rise of data centers in Ohio to the protection of collective bargaining in an automated age, learn why labor must have a seat at the table before the software is coded. Listen in to hear about: The connection between inclusive leadership and union power. How CWA is mobilizing for Elias Manolis's life-saving transplant. The "Workers First" framework for AI regulation in Ohio. Why data centers are a double-edged sword for local communities.

Texas is an anti-worker state, and working Texans are tired of being trampled by billionaire-bought politicians and interests. You can see it in support of a more affordable Texas: public education that sets our children up for success, quality jobs that pay a living wage, environmental protections that shield us all from pollution, and justice for our citizen and immigrant neighbors under attack.It's clear that tides are changing, and with it, union membership is at the highest it's been in 25 years, with major growth in the South, plus major victories from union leaders like Taylor Rehmet, who will deliver on people-first policies fighting for Texas workers. We can't think of a better leader to talk about labor than the new president of the Texas AFL-CIO, Leonard Aguilar.Learn more about the Texas AFL/CIO at https://texasaflcio.org/.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

The Workforce Pipeline: From Data Centers to National Leadership On this episode of the America's Work Force Union Podcast, we go inside the two engines driving the modern labor movement: massive infrastructure build-outs and the development of the next generation of union leaders. Segment 1: Central Ohio's Construction Revolution Dorsey Hager, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, joins the show to discuss the "stacking" of megaprojects in the region. Intel Update: Why the duration of the Licking County build matters more than the peak headcount. The Power Demand: How "behind-the-meter" power and the $850M Bluegrass Power Station are creating a secondary wave of union jobs. Data Center Ecosystems: Moving beyond the initial build to long-term maintenance and modernization. Segment 2: Organizing, Action, and Union Pipelines Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, checks in to discuss the national landscape for workers in 2026. USW History: The significance of Roxanne Brown taking the helm as the 10th International President of the United Steelworkers. The Worker-Candidate Surge: How union members are translating shop-floor leadership into successful campaigns for public office. Coalition Power: Why labor is aligning with community partners to protect voting access and economic fairness. GET INVOLVED: Every victory starts with workers standing together. Subscribe to the AWF Union Podcast for daily interviews with the leaders building worker power across America. Visit us at: awf.labortools.com Follow the movement: #UnionStrong #BuildingTrades #AFLCIO #Labor2026 #IntelOhio #WorkerPower

How do Rhode Islanders feel about Governor Dan McKee and his Democratic opponent, Helena Foulkes? What about a tax on millionaires? The Rhode Island AFL-CIO recently commissioned a poll to find out. Patrick Crowley, president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO joins host Edward Fitzpatrick to discuss the results: "There is a path to victory for the governor in the numbers from the AFL-CIO poll, it's a narrow path." Tips and ideas? Email us at rinews@globe.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leslie speaks with Alex Rias, Director of Civil, Women's, and Human Rights at the AFL-CIO, about growing threats to civil rights protections and what they mean for working people. From the weakening of labor enforcement agencies and voting rights challenges to the criminalization of protest and attacks on workplace protections, Rias explains how civil rights and labor rights have always been interconnected. He also discusses how unions are responding—organizing more workers, defending workplace rights in the courts, and building diverse worker power to protect democracy and economic opportunity. The website for the AFL-CIO is AFLCIO.org and their handle on Blue Sky is @AFLCIO.org. Their handle on Facebook, Instagram and X is @AFLCIO.  

Leslie speaks with Alex Rias, Director of Civil, Women's, and Human Rights at the AFL-CIO, about growing threats to civil rights protections and what they mean for working people. From the weakening of labor enforcement agencies and voting rights challenges to the criminalization of protest and attacks on workplace protections, Rias explains how civil rights and labor rights have always been interconnected. He also discusses how unions are responding—organizing more workers, defending workplace rights in the courts, and building diverse worker power to protect democracy and economic opportunity. The website for the AFL-CIO is AFLCIO.org and their handle on Blue Sky is @AFLCIO.org. Their handle on Facebook, Instagram and X is @AFLCIO.  

“Do not wait to be perfect.” That is the message AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler has for the next generation of women leaders as we kick off Women's History Month and Women in Construction Week 2026 on the America's Work Force Union Podcast. In this wide-ranging episode, Shuler joins us to discuss the historic momentum of the labor movement, where public support has reached nearly 70 percent. We explore the 2026 WIC Week theme, "Level Up. Build Strong," and discuss how the union advantage provides a more equitable landscape for women in the trades compared to the broader economy. Shuler also pulls back the curtain on the AFL-CIO's fight for worker-centered AI. As technology reshapes the jobsite, she explains why collective bargaining is the ultimate "guardrail" to ensure human oversight, privacy, and shared productivity gains. In this episode, we cover: The evolution of women's leadership from the shop floor to the executive board. How the labor movement is scaling state-level legislation to protect workers from "algorithmic bosses." Advice for women entering male-dominated industries: Finding your voice and building mentorship networks.