Solidarity Works

Hosted by United Steelworkers

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May 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Solidarity Works, a podcast from the United Steelworkers (USW) union. We're here to have conversations and start conversations about the past, present, and future of the labor movement, as well as talk about the work the union is doing, with USW activists leading the way. Listen to us here or on your favorite podcast streaming service, like Spotify, Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, and more.

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60 recent

May 29, 202622 min

Stronger Together: The Union Co-op Model

In 1941, a young priest in Spain helped spark a movement that would transform worker ownership forever. Today, that spirit is crossing the Atlantic. In our latest episode, we explore the emerging "Union Co-op" model—a powerful hybrid that combines the democratic ownership of a cooperative with the protective strength of a union. We speak with Ellen Vera, Director of Co-Op Cincy, about the "how-to" of worker ownership: how to transition an existing business, how to start a new venture from scratch, and the common mistakes to avoid. We also talk with Rob Witherall of the United Steelworkers about how the USW is partnering with cooperatives to provide essential benefits like healthcare and ensure that the wealth of our communities stays in the hands of the workers. Join us as we discuss why the future of the American labor movement might just be owned by the people who do the work. Music in this episode is by: Makaih Beats and Ethos

May 1, 202616 min

The Dust That Kills: Miners Combating Silica

Every day, millions of workers around the world go to work knowing their job is hard. But no one should go to work knowing it might slowly take their breath away. Across the United States and Canada, USW members are on the front lines of the fight against silica dust exposure, pushing for stronger protections, enforcement of safety rules, and justice for workers who've already been harmed. We're talking with several activists who know this fight firsthand: Marshal Cummings, a USW safety leader working in the mining industry in Wyoming, and Sean Staddon, a compensation officer and member of USW Local 6500 in Sudbury, Canada. Their stories highlight why this fight is global and why the labor movement must keep pushing. Music in today's episode is by Ketsa.

April 6, 202617 min

Know Your Rights: Labor's Fight for Immigrant Workers

From the Twin Cities to Georgia, ICE enforcement has hit working-class communities hard. In the latest episode of Solidarity Works, two labor leaders—Minnesota USW staff representative Justin Recla and USW Civil and Human Rights Director Alex Perkins—share how they've responded, what tools are available to every local, and why this fight belongs to all of us. Music in today's episode by Ketsa and Lobo Loco.

January 28, 20269 min

If I Had a Song: Pete Seeger's America

Pete Seeger treated music as a communal act—a circle, not a spotlight. In our newest episode, we explore how Pete braided together labor organizing, civil rights, environmental justice, and peace through song. From congressional blacklisting to union halls and river clean-ups, his legacy isn't frozen in time—it's instructional. Thank you to the Seeger family for sharing Pete's music with us for this episode. Other music by: Tolset Music and Black Trend Music.

November 26, 202526 min

No Worker Left Behind: Labor's Plan for the AI Era

Artificial intelligence is changing how we work, how we communicate, and how we live — but who's making sure workers aren't left behind? In the latest episode of Solidarity Works, we sit down with Ed Wytkind, Interim Executive Director of the AFL-CIO Technology Institute, to talk about the federation's new Workers First Initiative on AI. The initiative lays out a bold plan to make sure technology serves people — not the other way around — by putting worker voices at the center of innovation, bargaining, and public policy. From protecting jobs and privacy to creating new opportunities for skill building and organizing, we explore what a fair and democratic AI future could look like when labor leads the way. To learn more about the Workers First Initiative on AI, visit aflciotechinstitute.org. Music in today's episode is by Ketsa.

October 29, 202511 min

Clara Lemlich and the Uprising of the 20,000

In 1909, a 23-year-old immigrant named Clara Lemlich stood up in New York's Cooper Union and said, "I have no more patience for talk—I move that we go on a general strike." The next morning, 20,000 garment workers—mostly young immigrant women—walked off the job. Their courage changed labor history forever. Tune into our latest episode to hear how their fight reshaped workers' rights for generations. --- Music from today's episode is by: Tar Sahno and Semion Krivenko-Adamo Sources: Jewish Women's Archive, "Uprising of 20,000 (1909)." Global Nonviolent Action Database (Swarthmore College), "Triangle Shirtwaist Factory women strike, win better wages and hours, New York, 1909." AFL-CIO, "Triangle Shirtwaist Fire." PBS American Experience, "Clara Lemlich and the Uprising of the 20,000."

September 25, 202516 min

Defunding Education: The Attack on Public Learning and Research

In the latest episode of Solidarity Works, we expose the Trump administration's sweeping cuts to public education and research funding—from K-12 schools to university labs. Educators, union leaders, and graduate researchers reveal how these attacks threaten working families, marginalized students, and the future of innovation itself. Tune in to learn firsthand how communities are being forced to fight back to defend learning, dignity, and the public good. Music in this episode is by Ketsa.

August 27, 2025Episode 6911 min

They Shall Not Pass: When Workers Took on Fascism

Long before World War II officially kicked off in 1939, trade unionists were already sounding the alarm. They saw fascism for what it was—racism, anti-Semitism, militarism, authoritarianism. Union workers and leaders resisted—they distributed leaflets, hid their Jewish neighbors and co-workers, sabotaged Nazi logistics, and even joined armed struggle. In the latest episode of Solidarity Works, we dive into this powerful—and often overlooked—period of resistance in modern history led by everyday workers who stood up against fascism and showed that solidarity is not merely a word; it's an action. Music from today's episode: Ketsa, Scott Holmes, Maarten Schellekens

August 1, 202516 min

The Legacy of Delano: Labor, Resistance, and the Power of Unity

As ICE raids ramp up and communities across the nation are gripped by fear, we're looking back to a powerful legacy of worker resistance in the latest episode of Solidarity Works. The Legacy of Delano tells the story of how Filipino and Latino farmworkers united in 1965 to ignite a labor movement that changed history. Today, organizers like Local 675's Xochityl Cobarruvias carry that spirit forward, mobilizing against injustice and defending immigrant workers under attack. Tune in to hear how courage, unity, and nonviolence still light the path to justice.

June 26, 202512 min

Defending Our Defenders: Union Veterans Demand Action in D.C.

John Stevens has been a member of USW Local 341 in Newark, Ohio, for six years and works at an aluminum factory. On Thurs., June 5, he and fellow union members walked the halls of Congress to remind lawmakers about the promise the government made to veterans like him. This fight to preserve benefits and services for America's defenders is personal to John in many ways. He lost his older brother, also a military veteran, to suicide in 2017. Hear John's story and learn about some of the legislation that could help prevent similar losses and other hardships for U.S. veterans in the latest episode of Solidarity Works. Music in this episode is by Mr Smith. Special shout-out to Dropkick Murphys. Learn more about Veterans of Steel at usw.to/vetsofsteel.