New York State Assemblyman Harry Bronson’s journey from a childhood of hardship to becoming a champion for workers is inspiring. As one of 12 siblings growing up without indoor plumbing, and at times, no running water, he saw firsthand the struggles his parents faced working low-wage jobs for companies that did not offer collective bargaining. It was those early experiences that shaped his dedication to fighting for equity and opportunity. Now, as the powerful chair of the NYS Assembly Labor Committee, he is in a prime position to influence the future of labor policy, and he is our guest on the Union Strong podcast.

Unemployment benefits just got a significant boost in New York State. This long-awaited increase, championed by the union movement, raises important questions: How much did the benefit go up? Who qualifies? How long can you collect?

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon joins us to break down what’s changed, why it matters, and what workers need to know.

Resources:

Visit https://dol.ny.gov/

Women’s professional basketball has been on a roll, enjoying record growth, and it keeps getting better.

The WNBA recently signed a massive television contract, merchandise sales have increased, and attendance has reached historic levels, including right here in New York at the New York Liberty games.

Yet the players responsible for that growth don’t get a single share of all that revenue – and that’s at the center of a contract fight that has the attention of the entire union movement in New York.

On the latest Union Strong podcast, Terri Carmichael Jackson, the Executive Director of the Women's National Basketball Players Association, discusses what is at the center of this fight.

Resources:

Follow @TheWNBPA on Instagram, Twitter and Threads

WNBPA Letter Campaign: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/wnba-players-deserve-a-higher-salary-and-better-working-conditions?source=union-hall&referrer=group-new-york-state-afl-cio

See the NYS AFL-CIO letter to Commissioner Engelbert: https://nysaflcio.org/press-releases/20251025-wnbpa

Watch “Shattered Glass: A WNBPA Story”: https://tubitv.com/movies/100014374/shattered-glass-a-wnbpa-story