Every year, thousands of workers are injured or become ill on the job. In New York State there is a unique network of occupational health clinics available to workers to prevent injuries and illnesses. In this podcast, we talk to the medical director at one of the clinics to learn about the services available and how workers can access them. Resour…

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

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

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

On the latest Union Strong podcast, our guest is Mario Cilento, the President of the New York State AFL-CIO. In this wide-ranging interview, President Cilento talks about the energy he sees, right now, within the Union Movement and why we are seeing more workers making the difficult decision to strike. He discusses a critical new law passed in New …

Kyle Viverito is an electrician and member of IBEW Local 3. Not too long ago, while on the job doing electrical work at an NHL arena, he started singing and it did not go unnoticed. He caught the attention of management, and the next thing he knew, he was performing there. On the latest Union Strong podcast, we will introduce you to the man known a…

There has been a surge in union activity across the country with more workers deciding to join unions and demanding improved working conditions. One of those regions is in Buffalo, New York, home to the first unionized Starbucks that set into motion a wave of organizing at Starbucks stores across the United States. On the latest Union Strong podcas…

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

We are celebrating our 100th episode by diving into the historic writers’ strike that is making headlines across the country. Our guest is the Executive Director of the Writers Guild of America East, Lowell Peterson, who will give us an overview of what this strike, by film and television writers, is all about. But first – to commemorate our 100th …

There has been a significant spike in the number of child labor violations reported in New York State over the past year. What are those violations and what is the state doing to address the increase? Also, an examination of the gender wage gap. Have we made any progress and what about the so-called motherhood penalty, is it still a thing? New York…

As a union movement, the New York State AFL-CIO has been working with its affiliates to address climate change in a responsible way. On the latest Union Strong podcast, we discuss thermal energy networks and their role in decarbonizing state-owned campuses and facilities while creating a pipeline to union jobs. Our guest is John Murphy, Internation…

Addressing climate change presents all sorts of opportunities for workers and unions, but it also puts many good union jobs at risk of elimination which is why the state must maintain flexibility. As New York State continues to work to reduce emissions and combat climate change, the New York State AFL-CIO has made clear that protecting the rights a…

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

Healthcare workers who are members of 1199 SEIU filled the 17,000-seat MVP arena in downtown Albany this week for one of the largest rallies in the state in decades. The caregivers, still reeling from three years of the pandemic, are calling on the governor and legislative leaders to invest $2.5 billion in healthcare in the state budget. On the lat…

An executive budget proposal aimed at improving the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters may have good intentions, but could have unintended consequences that jeopardize public safety. On the latest Union Strong podcast, Sam Fresina, President of the New York State Professional Firefighters Association explains why paying volunteer f…

With well over 10 thousand bills introduced during the two-year legislative cycle in New York State and a $227 billion budget, there is a long list of issues that impact workers and the union movement. On this podcast, New York State AFL-CIO Legislative Director Mike Neidl explains how the state federation formulates our legislative agenda and disc…

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

We know from a recently released survey that 76 percent of consumers prefer to buy American-made products, but where do you find them? Our guest from the Alliance for American Manufacturing has an entire holiday gift guide of Made in America items. And we’ll tell you where to find union-made gifts, food, and drinks to make it a holiday that not onl…

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

Candidates seeking the endorsement of the New York State AFL-CIO must meet a high threshold of support. On the latest Union Strong podcast, we break down the endorsement process with our guests; Ryan Delgado, Political Director and Chief of Staff at the federation and Jenn Puja, the Executive Director of the Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body. W…

Union construction workers and members of the fire and police departments in New York City developed a strong bond working together on New York’s 9/11 recovery mission. Years later, many of them now retired, are putting their knowledge and skills to use to help those in need. On the latest Union Strong podcast, Bill Keegan, founder and president of…

Workers won big in the 2022 legislative session. The list of victories includes workplace health and safety protections, improvements to labor rights and pensions, and the creation of good-paying jobs as we address climate change. On the latest Union Strong podcast, New York State AFL-CIO Legislative Director Mike Neidl breaks it all down for us to…

When nurses were forced to work mandatory overtime during the COVID pandemic, it was understood that we were dealing with an emergency. The emergency has passed, yet mandatory overtime is back with a vengeance and it’s reached a crisis level in many of our hospitals. Overworked nurses are pleading with lawmakers to do something about it. On the lat…

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 S…

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…

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 h…

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 …

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 …

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 Ma…

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 scho…

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 …

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 help…

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 …

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 sustaina…

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.By Union Strong - New York State AFL-CIO

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 ge…

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 Pr…

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 …

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 …

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 famili…

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 d…

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…

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 call…

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 …

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 Ry…

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.…

The New York State AFL-CIO recently held a labor revenue forum to discuss the impact of the pandemic and the vital need for new revenue sources. On this podcast, Ron Deutsch, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness lays out the backdrop of what we are facing during this pandemic and explains how New York can raise needed revenue and r…

In New York City, the music industry supports nearly 60,000 jobs and accounts for roughly $5 billion in wages with an economic impact of $21 billion. Today, the industry is in crisis. The lives of performing artists have been upended by the COVID pandemic. When the arts industry was quickly shut down it led to mass unemployment. And it is an indust…

As we continue to work our way through one of the most challenging health and economic crises in our nation’s history, New York State is facing a multibillion-dollar budget deficit at a time when more and more New Yorkers are relying on vital public services. The need for adequate state funding could not be more glaring. One way to address the budg…