Union Strong

By New York State AFL-CIO

What's Union Strong about?

Union Strong is the official podcast of the New York State AFL-CIO. We share stories of working men and women who benefit from belonging to a union and having a voice in the workplace.

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Union Strong episodes:

04.24.2024
Workplace Injury Treatment & Prevention
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...
01.17.2024
Legislative Priorities 2024
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.
12.07.2023
It’s Not a Nursing Shortage; It’s a Staffing Crisis
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...
10.10.2023
One-on-one with NYSUT’s New President
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...
09.12.2023
The State of Labor 2023
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...
08.23.2023
The Singing Electrician
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...
08.14.2023
Union Strong in Buffalo New York
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...
06.22.2023
2023 Legislative Session
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...
05.11.2023
Writers’ Strike
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...
04.11.2023
Gender Wage Gap and Child Labor
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...
03.30.2023
Thermal Energy Networks; A Pipeline To Union Jobs
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...
03.29.2023
Reducing Emissions While Protecting Good Jobs
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...
03.27.2023
The Union Movement’s Climate Goals
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...
03.23.2023
Healthcare Workers Hold Historic Rally in Albany
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...
03.14.2023
Protecting Firefighting Services
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...
02.28.2023
Labor’s Legislative Priorities
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...
02.02.2023
Seed to Sale: How to Cultivate Your Career in Cannabis
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...
12.07.2022
How to Buy Union and Buy American this Holiday Season
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...
11.10.2022
So You Want To Start a TikTok Account
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...
10.03.2022
The Union Strong Vote
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...
09.06.2022
HEART 9/11 – Turning Tragedy into Triumph
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...
07.18.2022
Legislative Wrap Up 2022
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,...
05.25.2022
Nurses On The Brink
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...
05.18.2022
Prioritizing Buy American Rock Salt
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...
03.28.2022
Fix Tier 6
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...
03.24.2022
Revisiting: A Day in History that Changed Workplace Safety
March 25th is the 111th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in lower Manhattan. It was one of the deadliest industrial tragedies in U.S. history. On the latest Union Strong podcast, we are revisiting an episode we called, “A day in...
03.13.2022
Overworked and Underpaid at a Nursing Home in Lewiston, NY
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...
02.21.2022
COVID at Work, Know Your Rights
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...
02.13.2022
Brewing Solidarity at Starbucks
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...
01.16.2022
Honoring MLK
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...
12.14.2021
The Future of Public Education
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...
11.30.2021
Fairness for Farmworkers
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...
11.10.2021
Operation Union Veterans Day
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...
10.26.2021
Vote Yes on Props 2 and 4
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...
10.14.2021
Potential Shutdown of Film and TV Production as Strike Looms
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...
10.03.2021
Department of Labor Update with Commissioner Roberta Reardon
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...
09.05.2021
Labor Day 2021
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.
08.17.2021
Fighting for Fairness on a picket line in Brooklyn
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...
07.27.2021
Labor’s role in the fight for social, racial, and economic justice
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...
07.14.2021
Forming a union should not be this hard
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...
06.30.2021
2021 Legislative Wrap Up
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...
06.16.2021
Food Insecurity Post Pandemic - How Labor is Helping to Feed Those in Need
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...
06.02.2021
Stories of Hope: Union Members and Organ Donations
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...
05.17.2021
Workplace Violence in the Subways
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...
05.05.2021
”It was terrifying.” - NYSNA Nurse at Albany Med
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...
04.20.2021
State Budget; A Win For Working People
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...
04.07.2021
Passing the PRO Act
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;...
03.24.2021
Labor of Love
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...
03.10.2021
We cannot cut our way out of this crisis
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...
03.03.2021
How to prevent a great cultural depression
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...

What's Union Strong about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Union Strong episodes:

Workplace Injury Treatment & Prevention

Legislative Priorities 2024

It’s Not a Nursing Shortage; It’s a Staffing Crisis

One-on-one with NYSUT’s New President

The State of Labor 2023

The Singing Electrician

Union Strong in Buffalo New York

2023 Legislative Session

Writers’ Strike

Gender Wage Gap and Child Labor

Thermal Energy Networks; A Pipeline To Union Jobs

Reducing Emissions While Protecting Good Jobs

The Union Movement’s Climate Goals

Healthcare Workers Hold Historic Rally in Albany

Protecting Firefighting Services

Labor’s Legislative Priorities

Seed to Sale: How to Cultivate Your Career in Cannabis

How to Buy Union and Buy American this Holiday Season

So You Want To Start a TikTok Account

The Union Strong Vote

HEART 9/11 – Turning Tragedy into Triumph

Legislative Wrap Up 2022

Nurses On The Brink

Prioritizing Buy American Rock Salt

Fix Tier 6

Revisiting: A Day in History that Changed Workplace Safety

Overworked and Underpaid at a Nursing Home in Lewiston, NY

COVID at Work, Know Your Rights

Brewing Solidarity at Starbucks

Honoring MLK

The Future of Public Education

Fairness for Farmworkers

Operation Union Veterans Day

Vote Yes on Props 2 and 4

Potential Shutdown of Film and TV Production as Strike Looms

Department of Labor Update with Commissioner Roberta Reardon

Labor Day 2021

Fighting for Fairness on a picket line in Brooklyn

Labor’s role in the fight for social, racial, and economic justice

Forming a union should not be this hard

2021 Legislative Wrap Up

Food Insecurity Post Pandemic - How Labor is Helping to Feed Those in Need

Stories of Hope: Union Members and Organ Donations

Workplace Violence in the Subways

”It was terrifying.” - NYSNA Nurse at Albany Med

State Budget; A Win For Working People

Passing the PRO Act

Labor of Love

We cannot cut our way out of this crisis

How to prevent a great cultural depression

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