The Labor Exchange on KGNU

On this episode we remember Sheila Ivy Traister, a leader with SAG-AFTRA and the AFL-CIO who passed away recently. We listen back to a conversation with her from 2023 about the work of an artist, the importance of unions in the entertainment industry and the Screen Actor Guild Awards. This is a special extended version of our radio interview. 

On this episode of the Labor Exchange we hear the most recent Labor Radio Podcast Weekly, a digest of the top labor radio from across the country. 

We talk with Adam Fox from the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative about what Trump's budget bill will mean for health in Colorado including cuts to Medicaid and the effects on access to healthcare in rural areas and across Colorado. 

KGNU Labor Exchange - Artificial intelligence, vetoes and workers' rights on this 2025 legislative session wrap up episode with Kjersten Forseth, Colorado AFL-CIO lobbyist and worker advocate. 

KGNU Labor Exchange - we get a brief update on Gov. Polis' veto of the Worker Protection Act and we listen back to our interview with Ryan Dineen on the organizing happening in Colorado and Utah's ski communities. Ryan is the President of the Breckenridge Professional Ski Patrol Union which is part of United Mountain Workers and CWA Local 7781.

 KGNU Labor Exchange - The danger of Medicaid cuts with Todd Kaanta, SEIU 105 member and Colorado Coalition for the Homeless case manager and Tim Faust, author, healthcare organizer and OPEIU local 9 member. Our host this week is Ben Ullrich, a member of the Denver Newspaper Guild and SEIU 105 organizer.

KGNU Labor Exchange - We talk to TWU 555 President Abilio Villaverde about his new children’s book about union solidarity, We Are Family. We also delve into what it takes to work in extreme conditions as ramp crew at some of the world’s busiest airports. [Book Link]

The Labor Exchange teams up with Lynn Fields of the Resolved Labor Podcast to hear about Howard Wallace an activist from Denver that dared to marry LGBTQ rights and labor rights. 

KGNU Labor Exchange - Carl Smith SMART-TD talks about a bill to fund more safety inspectors in Colorado and we hear from the hearing on SB5 the Worker Protection Act - including Reps. Jennifer Bacon and Javier Mabry and Casa Bonita worker Michelle Mendenhall. 

KGNU Labor Exchange - Guest Host Ben Ullrich talks about the joy of organizing with Karli McClure & Nate Paer, SEIU 105 Mental Health Workers. Karli and Nate helped build the union at Mental Health Partners (now Clinica Family Health) and are negotiating a first contract. We hear the challenges and successes including how Colorado’s outdated labor laws slow down unionizing efforts.

The KGNU Labor Exchange talks with with union organizer Ryan Dineen on the organizing happening in Colorado and Utah's ski communities. Ryan is the President of the Breckenridge Professional Ski Patrol Union which is part of United Mountain Workers and CWA Local 7781. 

KGNU Labor Exchange - Colorado’s Union Radio - We talk to Ben Ullrich, a former craft distiller and current SEIU Local 105 organizer. We discuss Colorado's outdated labor laws and why more workers are choosing to organize. Tune In Tonight (2/3) at 6 PM on KGNU 88.5FM/1390AM! 📻and on your favorite podcast app

This weeks Labor Exchange is a special Martin Luther King Jr. Day episode. We hear from the AFL-CIO’s 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference held this week in Austin TX and a recent announcement of Climate Jobs Colorado, a new union-led coalition that will address the growing climate crisis through a pro-worker agenda that prioritizes good union jobs.

Listen to the full and uncut conversation with author and educator Leigh Campbell-Hale about her book “Remembering Ludlow but forgetting the Columbine The 1927 - 1928 Colorado Coal Strike.” about the I.W.W. led strike in Serene, Colorado outside of Erie.  

On this week’s Labor Exchange we continue our conversation with author and educator Leigh Campbell-Hale about her book “Remembering Ludlow but forgetting the Columbine The 1927 - 1928 Colorado Coal Strike.” about the I.W.W. led strike in Serene, Colorado outside of Erie.

On this week’s Labor Exchange we talk to author and educator Leigh Campbell-Hale about her book “Remembering Ludlow but forgetting the Columbine The 1927 - 1928 Colorado Coal Strike.” about the I.W.W. led strike in Serene, Colorado outside of Erie.  Join us for part two of our conversation in two weeks.