On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Aaron Walsh, a labor recovery specialist with Laborers Escaping Adversity Now St. Louis (LEAN STL), joined the podcast to discuss the ongoing battle against anti-union policies in Missouri, the importance of mental health and addiction recovery in the trades and the strides made to expand peer support initiatives for union workers.
Walsh began by discussing the ever-shifting landscape of so-called “Right-To-Work” legislation in Missouri. He explained how statewide efforts have repeatedly fought off such policies, with voters overwhelmingly rejecting them in the past. However, Walsh highlighted how anti-union forces continue to move the goalposts, altering petition requirements and attempting to make it more difficult for union advocates to get measures on the ballot. He stressed the importance of coalition building, noting that public sector unions like police, firefighters and teachers are now joining the fight alongside trade unions, improving prospects for defending workers’ rights.
Walsh then shifted the conversation to the foundation of his current role: nurturing mental health and addiction recovery among tradespeople. He described the LEAN program’s peer-to-peer approach, which connects union members to resources through a 24-hour hotline, job site visits and ongoing aftercare. Walsh emphasized the importance of confidentiality and relatability, noting that union members are more likely to seek help when they feel understood by those with shared experiences. The program aims to address not just substance use but overall worker wellness, helping families establish healthy boundaries and guiding workers through processes such as treatment and recovery.
Finally, Walsh discussed the sweeping impact and growth of the LEAN program. Originally launched in Boston, the initiative has expanded to St. Louis, with new pilot programs starting in several other states. Walsh outlined how he and his partner are actively collaborating with other unions and regions to share best practices, train paid peers and tailor support systems to local needs. Drawing from his own recovery journey, Walsh underscored the transformative power of peer support and the need for unions to prioritize the mental health of their members. He hopes his story and continuing advocacy make it clear that union solidarity extends beyond wages and working conditions—it’s about caring for people at every level.
For more from Walsh on LEAN STL and the importance of mental health advocacy in the trades, listen to the full episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast above.
America’s Work Force is the only daily labor podcast in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America's workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues.
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