Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Ohio’s labor movement as it prepares for the 2026 midterm elections, the ongoing battle against anti-union policies being advanced at both federal and state levels and the rise of union members taking leadership roles in local government.
Burga began by underscoring the importance of the upcoming statewide and congressional elections. He warned that the stakes for working people have “never been higher,” citing ongoing attacks on organized labor at the federal level, including recent efforts to strip collective bargaining rights from government employees and roll back labor protections. The Ohio AFL-CIO is evaluating candidates and will endorse those who stand firmly with trade unionists and working families. Burga detailed the federation’s constitutionally driven endorsement process, highlighting the executive board’s key role in assessing candidates’ records before lending their support.
In the realm of redistricting, Burga addressed the impact of congressional and legislative maps on Ohio’s electoral landscape. He explained that the state is still living under “rigged” districts, which have made it challenging for labor-friendly candidates to succeed. Despite Republican attempts to redraw congressional lines in their favor, Burga pointed to three key districts—those of Marcy Kaptur, Greg Landsman and Emilia Sykes—as crucial battlegrounds for Ohio’s working people. He noted that these representatives carry strong pro-labor credentials and suggested their races will be closely watched in the upcoming cycle.
Finally, Burga turned to the increasing involvement of union members in local politics. He celebrated the surge in union members running for elected office, observing that nearly 100 candidates from labor backgrounds sought local political positions last year. Burga also discussed challenges at the state legislature, where issues such as child labor laws, workers’ compensation and unemployment benefits demand vigilance. He added that having union members in political seats will help to ensure these challenges can be faced head-on.
For more from Burga, listen to the full episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast above.