The latest episode featured a conversation highlighting the advantages that a strong labor-management relationship can have on working conditions and student learning. Local union leader Lauren Mancini-Averitt joined AFT Connecticut President Jan Hochadel to co-host a thoughtful discussion with her school district's superintendent on their collaborative, solution-driven approach.

Dr. Mark Benigni shared examples of what has been accomplished for Meriden’s students and their families by embracing labor as partners rather than as adversaries. He also answered questions about innovative educational strategies developed in concert with national, state and local teachers union leaders that have directly benefited rank-and-file members.

AFT Connecticut's podcasts serve to provide a deeper dive into issues impacting members and the wider labor movement as part of the state federation's engagement and communications programs.

Members are encouraged to send e-mail with their questions or concerns to be addressed in a future episode. *

Additionally, members can leave a message with their comments to be played on a future episode by dialing (860) 257-9782 and entering extension 116. *

We're proud to be part of the Labor Radio/Podcast Network, which collectively gets our movement's message out to working people via the Internet.

Breaking news, event announcements, and urgent actions are also posted at the union's Twitter feed, Facebook page and website.

* Be sure to include your full name, local union and employer.

Building on an uprising of momentum to grow the labor movement was the focus of delegates this summer attending state and national union conventions. AFT Connecticut President Jan Hochadel was joined by local union leader Monika Nugent as co-host for a conversation with a leader and an activist engaged in coffee industry organizing efforts.

Richard Bensinger is a long-time labor veteran and currently advising Starbucks Workers United, which has since last fall supported a surge of more than 200 union election victories nationwide. Marc Tomko is a barista at the second of the chain’s Connecticut shops where employees have successfully organized for a voice on the job. Together they shared their experience mobilizing the coffee giant's workforce and galvanizing its customers to write a brand new chapter in American labor history.

Sign and share the Starbucks Workers United "No Contract, No Coffee! Pledge."

AFT Connecticut's podcasts serve to provide a deeper dive into issues impacting members and the wider labor movement as part of the state federation's engagement and communications programs.

Members are encouraged to send e-mail with their questions or concerns to be addressed in a future episode. *

Additionally, members can leave a message with their comments to be played on a future episode by dialing (860) 257-9782 and entering extension 116. *

We're proud to be part of the Labor Radio/Podcast Network, which collectively gets our movement's message out to working people via the Internet.

Breaking news, event announcements, and urgent actions are also posted at the union's Twitter feed, Facebook page and website.

* Be sure to include your full name, local union and employer.

AFT Connecticut President Jan Hochadel and Legislative/Political Action Chair Ally Sexton team up once again to co-host the latest episode in the state federation's podcast series. Their conversation centers on gains made during the recently-concluded 2022 session of the General Assembly - and looks ahead to legislative and constitutional officer elections later this year.

Their guest is state Rep. Joshua Hall, a long-time educator, former union leader and lawmaker elected in 2017 on AFT Connecticut's "labor is your neighbor" platform. He answers questions about key public policy wins at the legislature and offers sound advice for members on engaging in electoral politics - both as activists and as candidates themselves.

Learn more about the book Representative Hall references, "House of Good Hope: A Promise for a Broken City."

AFT Connecticut's podcasts serve to provide a deeper dive into issues impacting members and the wider labor movement as part of the state federation's engagement and communications programs.

Members are encouraged to send e-mail with their questions or concerns to be addressed in a future episode. *

Additionally, members can leave a message with their comments to be played on a future episode by dialing (860) 257-9782 and entering extension 116. *

We're proud to be part of the Labor Radio/Podcast Network, which collectively gets our movement's message out to working people via the Internet.

Breaking news, event announcements, and urgent actions are also posted at the union's Twitter feed, Facebook page and website.

* Be sure to include your full name, local union and employer.