Working People

Working People: A podcast by, for, and about the working class today (now in partnership with In These Times magazine and The Real News Network). Working People is a podcast about working-class lives in 21st-century America. In every episode, you'll hear interviews with workers from around the country, from all walks of life. We'll talk about their life stories, their jobs, politics, and families, their joys and hopes and frustrations. Overall, Working People aims to share and celebrate the diverse stories of working-class people, to remind ourselves that our stories matter, and to build a sense of shared struggle and solidarity between workers around the country.

They won their strike fair and square. Now their rich bosses are closing up shop. 02/18/2026

NO DEAL: Nurses at NY-Presbyterian overwhelmingly vote to stay on strike 02/13/2026

Massive strike at Kaiser Permanente enters third week 02/12/2026

America’s toxic future looks like East Palestine, OH, today 02/06/2026

“A hero”: Nurses, federal workers honor Alex Pretti 02/01/2026

Largest nurses union calls to abolish ICE after Alex Pretti killing 01/28/2026

"Shut everything down": Minnesota calls for mass strike on Jan. 23 01/21/2026

The longest-running strike in the US is over—and the workers won 12/18/2025

What does it mean to be a union member in these dark times? 11/20/2025

'We're done': Starbucks workers launch indefinite national strike 11/13/2025

Campus life is unrecognizable in the Trump era: ‘There’s so many cops everywhere’ 11/06/2025

Life after genocide: A Gazan’s message to the world about the ceasefire 11/01/2025

Workers replaced by AI have a dire warning for the world 10/29/2025

Workers replaced by AI have a dire warning for the world In this special crossover edition of Working People and The Marc Steiner Show, hosts Maximillian Alvarez and Marc Steiner examine how the “artificial intelligence” (AI) boom is shaping the economy and the impact it is already having—and will continue to have—on working people’s lives, livelihoods, and jobs. Alvarez and Steiner speak with two members of a new mutual aid and advocacy group called Stop Gen AI, which formed this year out of the critical need to provide material support for creatives, knowledge workers, and anyone else impacted by generative AI. Guests: Kim Crawley is a former cybersecurity professor and co-author of . She founded Stop Gen AI in May 2025 in response to the immense socioeconomic harm generative AI has done to her and her peers, and to the vast environmental, cultural, scientific, psychological, and economic harm it does to the world. Stop Gen AI is unique for its anticapitalist focus and commitment to raising survival funds for people who are struggling. Emmi is an information security expert with experience across many niches of the industry, including application security across a number of verticals, and she is a specialist in insider threat and cyber threat intelligence. She joined the efforts of Stop Gen AI in 2025 due to the overwhelming amount of friends she has seen lose their entire lives and careers due to the out-of-control AI bubble. She also has nearly two decades of experience with boots-on-the-ground union organizing, protesting, and activism. Additional links/info: Stop Gen AI and page Khiree Stewart, WBALTV 11, “” Marc Steiner & Maximillian Alvarez, The Marc Steiner Show, “” Featured Music: Jules Taylor, Working People Theme Song Stephen Frank, Marc Steiner Show Theme Song Credits: Studio Production: David Hebden Audio Post-Production: Alina Nehlich /episode/index/show/workingpeople/id/38829815

This government shutdown is not like the others: Furloughed federal workers explain 10/22/2025

This government shutdown is not like the others: Furloughed federal workers explain The federal government shutdown is now in its fourth week. Over 700,000 federal employees have been furloughed, with nearly as many continuing to work without pay, yet there are still no signs that an end to the shutdown is near. “Unlike past presidents, Mr. Trump appears to feel little urgency to strike a deal to reopen the government,” Luke Broadwater writes at The New York Times. “Instead, he has used the shutdown, which began Oct. 1, as an opportunity to further remake the federal bureaucracy and jettison programs he does not like, seizing on unorthodox budgetary maneuvers that some have called illegal.” In this episode, we speak with three furloughed federal employees about the harm government shutdowns cause working people, and we discuss why this shutdown is different. Guests: Adam is a furloughed federal employee who works in recreation for the US Forest Service, managing hiking, biking, and equestrian trails in central Idaho. He serves as chapter president of National Federation of Federal Employees Local 1753, and he is an organizer with the Federal Unionists Network. Ellen is a furloughed federal employee who works in SNAP oversight and administration at the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. She serves as chapter president of National Treasury Employees Union Local 255, representing FNS employees at the Northeast regional office, and she is an organizer with the Federal Unionists Network in Boston. April is a furloughed federal employee who works in the office of Head Start at the Administration for Children and Families HQ in Washington, DC. She serves as chapter president of the National Treasury Employees Union Local 250. Additional links/info: Federal Unionists Network , , and Federal Unionists Network: “” Luke Broadwater, The New York Times, “” Democracy Now!, “” Featured Music: Jules Taylor, “Working People” Theme Song Credits: Featured music: Jules Taylor, “Working People” Theme Song Audio Post-Production: Alina Nehlich /episode/index/show/workingpeople/id/38747500

Will Texas State University fire a tenured professor based on a Nazi apologist’s doctored video? 10/13/2025

Will Texas State University fire a tenured professor based on a Nazi apologist’s doctored video? “In Texas, a socialist professor is now in the fight of his life against MAGA’s New McCarthyism,” scholar and author Bill V. Mullen writes in Jacobin. “Tom Alter, a labor historian and tenured professor of history at Texas State University, was fired from his job on September 10 after a far-right troll doctored a videotape of Alter speaking at a virtual Revolutionary Socialism conference. After viewing the video, university president Kelly Damphousse fired Alter on September 10 with what Alter and his supporters say was no due process.” While Alter was provisionally reinstated on Sept. 26, he and his family remain in limbo as they wait for a final decision from Texas State University regarding his firing. In this urgent episode of Working People, we speak with Professor Alter himself about the sequence of events that have made his case a flashpoint in the MAGA right’s all-out assault on free speech, higher education, and the people who live, work, and study there. Editor’s Note (10/14/25): On Monday, Oct. 13, Professor Tom Alter was notified by Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse that “his employment at Texas State University is terminated, effective immediately.” “I stand in opposition to Texas State University’s attack on democratic rights that are protected by the Texas and United States Constitutions as well as the academic freedom that was once the hallmark of Texas higher education,” Professor Alter said in a public statement. “To be clear, my termination is part of a broader political attack being carried out by the authoritarian far-right to crush democracy and democratic institutions in the United States in general and Texas in particular. But the charges leveled against me by the Texas State University administration do not stand up to the facts; I have truth on my side and I look forward to my day in court.” Additional links/info: Texas State Employees Union - CWA Local 6186: “” Bill V. Mullen, Jacobin, “” Russell Payne, Salon, “” Full video of Edward Helmore, The Guardian, “” Featured Music: Jules Taylor, “Working People” Theme Song Credits: Audio Post-Production: Jules Taylor /episode/index/show/workingpeople/id/38569805

Microsoft cancels Israeli spy unit access after tech worker revolt 10/08/2025

Federal whistleblowers illegally fired after exposing ‘chaos’ at Trump’s HUD 10/07/2025

Federal whistleblowers illegally fired after exposing ‘chaos’ at Trump’s HUD Last week, The Real News Network published a bombshell with two federal whistleblowers working in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Max spoke with Paul Osadebe and Palmer Heenan, two attorneys in HUD’s Office of Fair Housing, about the “chaos” that has upended HUD under the new Trump administration, and the vulnerable Americans who are being systematically abandoned as a result. Then, on Monday, Sept. 29, exactly one week after going public, Osadebe and Heenan were fired in what the Federal Unionist Network describes as “a stunning act of illegal retaliation.” In this urgent followup interview, we speak once again with Osadebe and Heenan about the conditions of their firing, and what this attack on whistleblowers means for the future of government transparency and the future of HUD itself. Guests: Paul Osadebe is a shop steward for the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) – Local 476, a member of the Federal Unionists Network, and, until recently, an attorney working in the federal government. Osadebe is one of the four employees within HUD who have filed formal whistleblower complaints through the office of Senator Elizabeth Warren (D – Massachusetts). Osadebe was fired for his whistleblowing on Sept. 29. Palmer Heenan is a rank-and-file member of AFGE – Local 476, a member of the Federal Unionists Network, and, until recently, an attorney working in the federal government. Heenan is one of the four employees within the Department of Housing and Urban Development who have filed formal whistleblower complaints through the office of Senator Elizabeth Warren (D – Massachusetts). Heenan was fired for his whistleblowing on Sept. 29. Additional resources: Debra Kamin, The New York Times, “” Maximillian Alvarez, The Real News Network, “” Federal Unionists Network: “” Federal Unionists Network , , and AFGE – Local 476 Credits: Studio Production / Post-Production: Cameron Granadino /episode/index/show/workingpeople/id/38492220

Federal whistleblowers expose how Trump’s HUD is abandoning vulnerable Americans 09/23/2025

Federal whistleblowers expose how Trump’s HUD is abandoning vulnerable Americans Federal whistleblowers are going public with an emergency message from within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). According to their formal complaint, under President Trump’s administration, “HUD leadership has already violated the law” and taken actions that “will result in legal violations, gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, and present a specific danger to public health and safety.” The complaints were filed by four attorneys and staff workers at HUD’S Office of General Counsel and Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. In their first on-air appearance since going public with their allegations, Max speaks with attorneys and federal employees Paul Osadebe and Palmer Heenan about their whistleblower complaints and the “chaos” at Trump’s HUD. Guests: Paul Osadebe is an attorney working in the federal government, a shop steward for the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) – Local 476, and a member of the Federal Unionists Network. Osadebe is one of the four employees within the Department of Housing and Urban Development who have filed formal whistleblower complaints through the office of Senator Elizabeth Warren (D – Massachusetts). Palmer Heenan is an attorney working in the federal government, a rank-and-file member of AFGE – Local 476, and a member of the Federal Unionists Network. Heenan is one of the four employees within the Department of Housing and Urban Development who have filed formal whistleblower complaints through the office of Senator Elizabeth Warren (D – Massachusetts). Additional resources: Debra Kamin, The New York Times, “” Federal Unionists Network , , and AFGE – Local 476 Federal Unionists Network: Federal Unionists Network: Credits Studio Production: David Hebden Audio Post-Production: Jules Taylor /episode/index/show/workingpeople/id/38331355

The biggest labor story in the US right now is happening at Microsoft 09/11/2025

‘Microsoft is an active partner in the genocide!’: Inside the tech worker revolt for Palestine 09/05/2025

‘We want life”: Palestinians in Gaza describe their daily struggle to survive 09/03/2025

Unions face extinction under Trump. What the hell is labor doing to fight back? (w/ David Huerta & Everett Kelley) 08/30/2025

Unions face extinction under Trump. What the hell is labor doing to fight back? (w/ David Huerta & Everett Kelley) Every single one of us who considers ourselves part of the labor movement has some real deep, serious, and urgent soul searching to do this Labor Day. After already falling to historically low levels of union density, public and private-sector unions are facing an extinction-level event under the new Trump administration. That is not hyperbole; that is a fact. So the real question is: What the hell are workers, unions, and the labor movement doing to fight back? These are the essential questions at the center of both of the interviews we are sharing in this special Labor Day episode, which were recorded at the Netroots conference in New Orleans, LA, in early August. In the first interview, Max speaks with Everett Kelley, national President of the American Federation of Government Employees, about the Trump administration’s elimination of collective bargaining rights for federal unions. In the second interview, his first public interview since he was arrested by federal agents observing an ICE raid in Los Angeles in June, David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union – United Service Workers (West), speaks with Max about the status of his case and about the roles unions must play in the fight against fascism. Speakers: is the national President of the American Federation of Government Employees, which is the largest union representing federal and DC government employees. He began his first term of service as national President in February 2020, was elected to another term during the 42nd National Convention in June 2022, and was reelected during the 43rd National Convention in August 2024. Kelley has been a member of AFGE since 1981. He worked at Anniston Army Depot and retired from there after 30 years of service. David Huerta is a longtime labor leader, born and raised in Los Angeles County, CA, who currently serves as president of the Service Employees International Union – United Service Workers (West) (SEIU-USWW). Additional links/info: American Federation of Government Employees , page, and Hamilton Nolan, How Things Work, “” Michael Sainato, The Guardian, “” SEIU, “” Luis Feliz Leon, In These Times, “” Maximillian Alvarez, The Real News Network, “” (Video version of interview with David Huerta) Maximillian Alvarez, The Real News Network, “” (Video version of interview with Everett Kelley) Featured Music: Jules Taylor, “Working People” Theme Song /episode/index/show/workingpeople/id/38031595

Railroad workers explain why Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific mega-merger will be a 'disaster' 08/28/2025

Railroad workers explain why Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific mega-merger will be a 'disaster' Railroad workers are sounding the alarm about the potentially catastrophic consequences of the proposed mega-merger of two of the nation’s Class 1 freight rail companies. “Union Pacific said it would buy smaller rival Norfolk Southern in an $85-billion deal to create the country’s first coast-to-coast freight rail operator,” Reuters reported in July. “If approved, the deal would be the largest-ever buyout in the sector.” If this giant merger goes through, what will it mean for railroad workers, customers, and for the general public? In this episode of Working People, we speak with a panel of six veteran railroaders and members of Railroad Workers United to get a workers’ eye view of the proposed mega-merger and what it will mean for rail labor, the US supply chain, and for the public writ large. Speakers: Ron Kaminkow is a member of Railroad Workers United, currently serving as a trustee, and he is also a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), Division 51 in Reno, Nevada. Kaminkow recently retired from Amtrak; prior to working in passenger rail, he worked on the freight rail system for Norfolk Southern and Conrail. Jeff Kurtz was a railroad engineer and union member for 40 years and is a member of Railroad Workers United. He served as a union officer most of his career, including eight years as president of BLET Local 391 and chairman of the BLET Iowa State Legislative Board, where he oversaw safety and legislative matters for the union in the state for four railroads for 10 years. He retired in 2014 and served as state representative for one term in the Iowa House after winning the 2018 election in his House district. Derek Masters is a member of Railroad Workers United and works as a conductor for a major Class 1 railroad, primarily in the Northeast. He is a member of SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD). Matt Parker is a member of Railroad Workers United who works as a rank-and-file locomotive engineer, based in Nevada, with over 20 years of experience. Matt Weaver is a founding member of Railroad Workers United and has been a member of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (Teamsters) for 30 years. He serves as the BMWED legislative director for the state of Ohio. Nick Wurst currently serves as general secretary of Railroad Workers United who works as a freight conductor and locomotive engineer, based in Massachusetts. Wurst started working for the railroad in 2019 as an intermodal worker and member of the Transportation Communication Union (TCU/IAM) and is currently a member of SMART-TD. Additional links/info: Railroad Workers United , page, and Railroad Workers United press release: “” Michael Sainato, The Guardian, “” Sabrina Valle, Shivansh Tiwary, & David French, Reuters, “” CNBC, “” Featured Music: Jules Taylor, “Working People” Theme Song Credits: Audio Post-Production: Jules Taylor /episode/index/show/workingpeople/id/38005650

These ‘neighbors from the hood’ saw ICE terrorizing their community—and banded together to fight back 08/19/2025

Corporations and the government are turning the USA into one giant ‘sacrifice zone’ 08/08/2025

What good is a union in Hell? 07/29/2025

How union organizing can change your life and the world w/Jaz Brisack | Working People 07/11/2025

"These cuts are death sentences": Trump's "Big, Disastrous Betrayal Bill" 07/02/2025

What’s really happening in Los Angeles vs. what you’re hearing online 06/23/2025

Trump plans massive military parade while cutting veteran jobs, benefits, & healthcare 06/13/2025

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