Union Strong

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 Teachers – the largest union in the state.

On the latest Union Strong podcast, Melinda talks about the top priorities for NYSUT, discusses some of the challenges ahead, and legislative goals for the coming year.

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 seeing more workers making the difficult decision to strike. He discusses a critical new law passed in New York State that will remove a barrier to union organizing and reminds us of what being a union member means and how life-changing it can be. 

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 the next thing he knew, he was performing there.

On the latest Union Strong podcast, we will introduce you to the man known as the singing electrician.

See Kyle sing at Union Strong Night at Citi Field on September 2nd! Click here to get tickets.

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 into motion a wave of organizing at Starbucks stores across the United States.

On the latest Union Strong podcast, Peter De Jesus, the President of the Western New York Area Labor Federation joins us to talk about the growing union movement, member engagement, and leadership lessons from the Buffalo region.

Take the Hot Union Summer survey or get involved

Get tickets for Union Strong Night at the New York Mets

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 State AFL-CIO, Mike Neidl. Mike breaks down the list of legislative victories and explains what they mean to workers.

See the 2023 End of Session Report

See the 2023-24 Final Budget Breakdown

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 of what this strike, by film and television writers, is all about. 

But first – to commemorate our 100th episode and look to the future of staying Union Strong, our guest is the President of the New York State AFL-CIO – Mario Cilento.

Writers Guild of America East website: https://www.wgaeast.org/

Writers Guild of America East social media:

https://www.facebook.com/WGAEast/

https://twitter.com/WGAEast

https://www.instagram.com/wgaeast/

Tell us what you want to hear about in future episodes: https://bit.ly/3LWQn25 

Get info on the Union Strong Yankees and Mets games: https://nysaflcio.org/news/union-strong-baseball-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 wage gap. Have we made any progress and what about the so-called motherhood penalty, is it still a thing?

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon joins the podcast to discuss how the DOL is using the Child Labor Task Force and a new Gender Wage Gap Report to protect workers.

 

See the Salary Negotiation Guide

See the Closing the Gender Wage Gap in New York State study

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 and facilities while creating a pipeline to union jobs.

Our guest is John Murphy, International Representative for the United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Sprinkler Fitters in NY.

Visit UpgradeNY.org to learn more.

See Upgrade NY's budget letter to Governor Hochul.

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 emissions and combat climate change, the New York State AFL-CIO has made clear that protecting the rights and interests of workers and their unions must be a priority.

On the latest Union Strong podcast, David Wasiura, Assistant to the Director of United Steel Workers District 4 discusses the importance of keeping good union manufacturing jobs in New York State.

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 its ambitious clean energy goals laid out in the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

On the latest Union Strong podcast, New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento discusses how the state can address climate change in a responsible way.