Heartland Labor Forum

Hosted by KKFI 90.1 FM Kansas City Community Radio

News

Website RSS feed

Episodes

577

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

This podcast tracks the audio archives for the “Heartland Labor Forum” radio show. The Heartland Labor Forum is Kansas City’s only program about the workplace. It’s radio that talks back to the boss! Whether you’re a union member or your workplace isn’t organized, Heartland Labor Forum (HLF) has stories for you, guaranteed to inspire, educate, or enrage you. ]]>

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 9, 202659 min

The 2026 State of Misery Legislative Sum-up and the Labor Caucus and --- IT'S KKFI SUMMER FUND DRIVE!

It’s KKFI’s Summer Fund Drive! PLEASE DONATE DURING THE SHOW OR ANYTIME. YOU CAN CALL 888-931-0901 OR GO TO KKFI.ORG. Thursday, on the Heartland Labor Forum: This year’s Missouri legislative session, perhaps more aptly known as the Legislative Session of Misery ended on May 15. Rep, Emily Weber will give us the scoop on what passed and how you’ll be affected. Then, we’ll check in with Representative Adrian Plank about the impact of the new labor legislator caucus and ask him What needs to be done next year to strengthen the working-class voice in Jefferson City.

June 2, 202659 min

Is the Proposed Royals Stadium a Good Deal for Taxpayers?

We discuss the proposed Kansas City Royals stadium to be built at Crown Center in partnership with Hallmark. The plan seems to be creating more questions than answers, and as part of our recurring coverage of the stadium, we’ll look at the economics of public subsidies for sports venues, as well as whether the city’s sales tax revenue projections on the stadium are a home run or a swing-and-a-miss. Our feature is Safety First with Mary Erio.

May 27, 202659 min

It's Labor History Month - plan your vacation with a map of labor sites and Quindaro - some local history

Planning a summer road trip? How about visiting the places where ordinary people made extraordinary change? We’ll talk to Chris Garlock of the Labor Heritage Foundation about their new Labor Landmark Map! Then we’ll visit a nearby landmark – Quindaro, the town founded by Wyandot Indians, abolitionists and free blacks as a free port on the Missouri River. We’ll talk to a descendant of Robert Monroe who escaped to freedom across the winter ice. Our feature is Washington Window with Mark Gruenberg.

May 19, 20261 hr 0 min

Mid-Continent Library Workers Organize and Retiring Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy

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.

May 11, 20261 hr 0 min

Motown & the Making of Working-Class Revolutionaries and the Kansas City Public School Foundation

Ever heard of the League of Revolutionary Black Workers based in Detroit in the 1970s? There’s a new book called Motown and the Making of Working-Class Revolutionaries. This week on the Heartland Labor Forum, we’ll talk to the authors. Then, the Missouri legislature will short-change schools next year making grants from the Kansas City Public School Foundation more necessary than ever. Find out about their vital role. Our feature is Labor Song of the Month with Mark Galus.

May 6, 202659 min

KU Pharmacists Organize!

Pharmacists at the University of Kansas Medical Center in KCK have petitioned for a union election. It’s next week. They wonder why there’s so little room for advancement in their jobs and why the rules leave them without justice on the job. Our feature is Safety First with Mary Erio.

April 27, 202659 min

Raiding the Heartland by William D. Lopez and The Missouri Legislature’s Labor Caucus

What impact are ICE raids having on immigrant workers and communities in rural Missouri? This week on the Heartland Labor Forum, we’ll talk to University of Michigan Prof. William D. Lopez about his book "Raiding the Heartland.” Then the new Labor Caucus of Missouri legislators is fighting for legislation to support workers and unions. We’ll talk to Rep Adrian Plank. Our feature is Voices from Labor History.

April 22, 202659 min

The KC Port Authority Subsidies and Our Schools and Will Killing the State Income Tax Cost Working People More? You betcha!

There’s been a lot of news lately about the Port Authority and how the Kansas City building trades unions finally got them to agree to require developers that it subsidizes to pay workers decently, but there’s little talk about the cost of economic growth to our schools and libraries who sacrifice tax income to fund development. We’ll talk to teachers about it and ask, should the Plaza be saved at the expense of our kids’ futures? Then, the Missouri legislature is trying to kill the state income tax. We’ll find out from the Missouri Budget Project’s Amy Blouin how much that will cost the working class. Our feature is Washington Window with Mark Gruenberg.

April 14, 202659 min

The New Bus Riders Union and IATSE Local 31 is Staffing the World Cup

A member of the new KC Bus Riders Union says, “We want to show that the buses can serve everyone, not just people who rely on them as a lifeline to get to work.” This week on the Heartland Labor Forum we’ll find out more. Then The International Association of Theatrical and Stage Employees Local 31 members do the set up and take down, scenery, and support work for trade shows, plays and concerts. We’ll find out how they’re staffing up for the World Cup. Our feature is Know Your Rights with Michael Amash.

April 7, 202659 min

The Annoyance Economy and Missouri Workers Center Organizing Restaurant Workers

Sick of junk fees, phone scams and wasted time with customer service? We’ll talk with Chad Maisel of the Groundwork Collaborative about the so-called Annoyance Economy that costs us hundreds of billions of dollars annually. Then, two restaurant workers share how they’re organizing for change with the Missouri Workers Center—from fast food to full service. Hear their stories and what’s next for worker power in Missouri. Our feature is Labor Song of the Month.

Is this your show?

Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.

Claim this listing