Blue Collar News
From the shop floor to the State Legislature we've got you covered with all your Montana Labor Movement news. Hosted by Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small.
Episodes
24 episodes
From the Jobsite to Public Office: Why Working People Should Run with Curtis Schomer
What does it take to run for public office, and why should working people consider stepping into leadership?In this episode of Blue Collar News, Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small sits down with Curtis Sch...
Part I: Data Centers, AI & the Future of a Worker-Centered Economy 2026 Cope Convention Panel
What does the rise of artificial intelligence and data centers mean for Montana's workers? In this special episode of Blue Collar News, recorded at the 2026 Montana AFL-CIO COPE Convention, we bring you an insightful panel discussion o...
Part II with Jay Reardon: The Life-Changing Value of Apprenticeships in Montana
In Part Two of Blue Collar News, Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small continues the conversation with Jay Reardon, taking a deeper dive into apprenticeship utilization and why registered apprenticeships remain ...
From Incarceration to Opportunity: How Montana Is Helping Inmates Build Careers Through Skilled Trades
On this episode of Blue Collar News, Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small sits down with Jay Reardon to discuss Montana legislation that is creating opportunities for incarcerated individuals through skilled tr...
Blue Collar News LIVE: Several Grocery Workers Let Go—Why Union Contracts Matter
What happens when several longtime grocery workers is let go, and questions arise about whether union contract protections were followed?Join Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small for a LIVE episode of Blue Collar New...
Building Montana's Future: Clint Penny on the Annual Convention & Data Centers
Blue Collar News with Jason SmallIn this episode of Blue Collar News, Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small sits down with Clint Penny, President of the Montana State Building and Construction Trad...
A Conversation with DLI Commissioner Sarah Swanson
What does the future of work look like in Montana? On this episode of the Blue Collar News Podcast, Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small sits down with Sarah Swanson, Commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor &...
The Day After the Montana Primary Election: Victories, Defeats, and What's Next for the Labor Movement
The votes have been counted, and the results are in. Join the Montana AFL-CIO as host, Jason Small, breaks down the outcomes of the Montana Primary Election and what they mean for working people across our state.In this episode, we'll di...
Construction season with Montana's Department of Transportation Director, Chris Dorrington
In this episode, Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary, Jason Small, sits down with Chris Dorrington, Director of the Montana Department of Transportation, for a conversation about the current state and future of Montana’s transportati...
The MT AFL-CIO honors Montana Nurses during National Nurses Week Vicky Byrd
In this special episode, we celebrate the dedication and impact of nurses across the state during National Nurses Week.From long shifts to lifesaving care, Montana’s nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system—and their work doesn’t...
Data Centers & Unions Part III: Dan Delbolt, Business Manager IBEW Local 532
The conversation continues with Part 3 of our Unions & Data Centers series—featuring Dan Delbolt, Business Manager of IBEW Local 532 and Chairman of the Montana State Conference of Electrical Workers. As data center dev...
Data Centers & Unions Part II: Riley McCauley- Western States Regional Council of Carpenters
In this follow-up episode, we continue the conversation on the evolving relationship between data centers and organized labor, diving deeper into the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry. Riley McCauley of the Western States Region...
Data Centers & Unions Part I: Jason Small sits down with the President of LiUNA Local 1686, Adam Haight
In this episode, the Montana AFL-CIO sits down with the president of LiUNA Local 1686 for a timely conversation on the intersection of organized labor and the rapid expansion of data centers. As demand for digital infrastructure grows, so does ...
Advocating for Better Patient Care Following Organizing Win for Providers in Kalispell
Last week healthcare providers won an historic election in Montana. On this edition of the Blue Collar news, Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small is joined by Dr. Stuart Bussey, president of the United Association of Physicians and D...
Empowering Young Workers in Montana's Tribal Communities with DLI Tribal Liaison Don Wetzel
Donnie Wetzel, Jr, is the Tribal Liaison for the Montana Department of Labor and Industry and joined Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small in Helena to discuss his work engaging young people, coordinating and learning from tribal l...
Montana Food Bank Network joins us to discuss the fight against food insecurity
As the longest government shutdown in history appears to be coming to an end, Montana Food Bank Network CEO Gayle Carlson joins us to discuss how food banks across our state are stepping up to fight food insecurity in Montana. If you would like...
Social Security workers with AFGE 4012 and healthcare in Montana with Montana Nurses Association
Throughout this shutdown federal workers in Montana are fighting for critical public services that ensure the health, safety, and well being of our communities. In this episode of Blue Collar News AFGE 4012 President Jordan Harwell...
Fighting for Grocery Store Workers in Montana with UFCW 1889
UFCW Local 1889 joins Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small to discuss grocery story workers across our state, including recent bargaining wins for workers at Albertsons stores in Montana, how collective bargaining helps protec...
Whitefish Ski Patrol Fighting for First Contract
For Montana skiers and boarders, Ski Patrol are a lifeline - they’re the ones who race out the door to help on people's worst days on the mountain, prevent avalanches inbounds, and keep us safe on the slopes.In this episode of the...
How Federal Layoffs Will Impact Montana's Fire Season with NFFE Local 60
In this edition of the Blue Collar News, Montana AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Jason Small talks to smoke jumper and NFFE Local 60 Vice President Sam Forstag about the damaging cuts to federal workers and how these actions will impact fire season...
Labor's History of Fighting for a Fair Deal in Montana
Our right to live, work, and retire with dignity is fundamental to who we are as Montanans. Out-of-state corporations have tried to profit off of Montana’s labor and resources for more than a century and “Right-to-Work” bills have been proposed...
Montana's Firefighters and the Fight to Keep our Communities Safe
In this edition of the Blue Collar News, Jason talks to firefighters with the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) in Montana about public safety, public funding, and how important union rights are to protecting our communities.&nbs...
