Union Talk Podcast

On Union Talk, AFT president Randi Weingarten interviews workers, policymakers and experts who are confronting the issues working families face and championing solutions. From the classroom to the bargaining table to Congress to the streets, Union Talk looks at the past, present and possible ways the labor movement and unions are vehicles to secure opportunity, justice and a voice in our democracy for all. Different episodes of Union Talk do deep dives on great public schools and affordable higher education, healthcare as a right, unions, an economy that works for all and what it takes to maintain a thriving democracy. Union Talk tells the stories that demonstrate that together we can accomplish for our families and communities what is impossible to do alone.

 

Latest Episodes

Union Talk Podcast, 2/27/24 (pt. 1)
2/27/24

We Were There: To Rustin, with Love, Part 1

In part one of this unique live episode of Union Talk, AFT President Randi Weingarten honors the legacy of civil rights luminary Bayard Rustin alongside esteemed labor figures who shared his acquaintance: Rachelle Horowitz, former AFT political director; Lorretta Johnson, AFT secretary-treasurer emeritus; and Clayola Brown, president of the A. Philip Randolph Institute. Also joining the discussion are Julian Breece, co-screenwriter of Rustin, and Bruce Cohen, co-producer of the film.

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Union Talk Podcast, 2/27/24 (pt. 2)
2/27/24

We Were There: To Rustin, with Love, Part 2

In the second installment of this unique live episode, AFT President Randi Weingarten and her guests delve into the complex dynamic surrounding Bayard Rustin’s dual identity as both a civil rights pioneer and a gay individual in a society that grappled with acceptance. Join the conversation with former AFT political director Rachelle Horowitz, AFT Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus Lorretta Johnson, A. Philip Randolph Institute President Clayola Brown and Rustin co-screenwriter Julian Breece and co-producer Bruce Cohen.

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Union Talk Podcast, 2/20/24
2/20/24

The Promise and Threats of AI with Rep. Ro Khanna

U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna from California joins AFT President Randi Weingarten to outline strategies for ensuring that artificial intelligence serves to enhance the nation's workforce rather than displace it. They discuss essential institutional safeguards needed to protect our economy and democracy in the face of AI advancements.

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Union Talk Podcast, 2/13/24
2/13/24

A Union Talk Excerpt: Teaching Honest History

In this excerpt from our “Teaching Honest History” episode, AFT President Randi Weingarten talks to scholars Dr. Marcia Chatelain of Georgetown University and professor Peter Levine of Tufts University to pull back the curtain on what is behind the efforts to use critical race theory to divide parents and teachers, the importance of teaching honest history, how to support educators under attack, and how teachers and parents can partner to help all students thrive.

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More Episodes

2/7/24

A Union Talk Excerpt: Finding the Real Rosa Parks

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1/30/24

A Union Talk Excerpt—After the Shootings: How to Help Our Kids and Ourselves

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1/16/24

How to Preserve Democracy in 2024

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12/27/23

Innovation and Tech Partnerships Expand Career-Focused, Hands-On Learning in NY

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12/20/23

Pro-Student, Pro-Public School Victories in School Board Elections

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11/22/23

A ‘Union Talk’ Excerpt: Are School Vouchers Good for Education?

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11/13/23

The Core Values of the AFT

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11/6/23

How to Rescue Teachers from ‘Beyond Burnout’

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10/16/23

A ‘Real Solutions’ Excerpt: Engaging Students Through Career and Technical Education

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10/10/23

A ‘Real Solutions’ Excerpt: Social Media and Our Kids

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10/2/23

Real Solutions: Creating Joyful and Confident Readers

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10/2/23

Real Solutions: Creating Joyful and Confident Readers

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9/25/23

The Promise of Community Schools

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9/1/23

The Real Lives of Teachers

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7/28/23

How Education Is Bridging the Divides Between Jews and Arabs

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7/25/23

Randi Weingarten’s Keynote Speech at TEACH

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6/27/23

Pride and Power

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6/23/23

Engaging Students Through Career and Technical Education

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5/8/23

Teacher Appreciation Week with ‘Abbott Elementary’ Actor Sheryl Lee Ralph

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3/29/23

In Defense of Public Education

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3/20/23

Why Workers Need Paid Leave Now

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2/28/23

Finding the Real Rosa Parks with Soledad O’Brien

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2/22/23

Are School Vouchers Good for Education?

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2/3/23

The Promise of Community Schools

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1/31/23

Randi Weingarten Goes One-On-One with Govs. Michelle Lujan Grisham and J. B. Pritzker

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12/20/22

Reading Opens the World: Building a Nation of Confident, Joyous Readers

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12/12/22

How to Fix the Healthcare Staffing Shortage

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11/4/22

2022 Midterm Roundtable with Congressional Candidates Nikki Budzinski, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Rep. Jahana Hayes and Robert Zimmerman

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10/3/22

Solutions to the nationwide teacher and school staff shortages

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9/16/22

White House “Back to School” Panel Discussion

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8/5/22

2022 American Federation of Teachers Convention Highlights

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7/21/22

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten’s 2022 State of the Union Speech

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6/21/22

After the Shootings: How to Help Our Kids and Ourselves

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6/9/22

Guns and Hate: Buffalo, Uvalde and Other Tragedies

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5/12/22

Social Media and Our Kids: A Conversation with Facebook Whistleblower Frances Haugen

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1/21/22

Omicron, Boosters and Schools

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12/08/21

Teaching Honest History

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11/22/21

COVID-19 Vaccines and Children

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11/01/21

Do you have student debt? New Changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and how this can help you!

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10/07/21

From the Bedside: A Conversation with Nurses Caring for COVID Patients

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09/22/21

Prioritizing Student and Staff Safety in the Classroom

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09/04/21

Labor Day with Labor Secretary Marty Walsh

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09/04/21

A Safe Back to School for All

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