Labor Lounge Podcast

10/08/2025

Welcome to Labor Lounge LIVE at the 11th Annual Women Business Leaders Forum by NJ Business & Industry Association (NJBIA).
In this very special episode, Co-Hosts Anthony Abrantes (Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters) and Cyndie Williams (Carpenter Contractor Trust) take the stage alongside Carey Balogh and Lauren Sleeman of Brand Groupies - the team behind the scenes who bring Labor Lounge Podcast to life.
Together, they discuss what it really takes to launch a successful podcast - and why the medium has become such a powerful tool for:
🚀 Growing brand visibility
🤝 Driving business development and networking
🎤 Elevating executive thought leadership

Podcasting is more than a mic; it’s a modern PR engine. Tune in to the full episode in bio to hear how Labor Lounge Podcast is produced and why every business leader should be thinking about podcasting as part of their growth strategy. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/labor_lounge_podcast?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=124cb4b0-b3ae-485b-a8fd-993d6dea3b8f

09/17/2025

“So our students are 100 feet in the air… before they’re actually 100 feet in the air.”

In the latest episode of Labor Lounge Podcast, Co-Hosts Anthony Abrantes of Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and Cyndie Williams of Carpenter Contractor Trust sit down with Rob Smith, Executive Director of the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Centers, to discuss how VR is helping prepare a new generation of carpenters for real-world challenges.

🎧 Listen to the full episode NOW! https://linktr.ee/labor_lounge_podcast

09/10/2025

From union carpenter to shaping the future of the trade. 🔨

In this episode, Co-Hosts Anthony Abrantes of Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and Cyndie Williams of Carpenter Contractor Trust sit down with Rob Smith, Executive Director of the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Centers, to talk about how we’re preparing the next generation of skilled tradespeople.

In this episode:
📚 The Carpenters Apprenticeship Ready Program and how it’s changing access to the trades
🎓 How apprentices can earn debt-free education + college credits
💻 The role of technology and VR training in workforce development
🤝 Why mentorship and union values are critical to building stronger futures

Rob’s journey from the jobsite to the classroom to executive leadership is proof that investing in education, innovation, and union partnerships transforms careers and communities.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://linktr.ee/labor_lounge_podcast?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=f90a3b6c-88d1-45c1-848b-70179de03b3f

08/20/2025

🌊Union labor doesn’t just get the job done - they raise the bar.

In the latest episode from Labor Lounge Podcast, Co-Hosts Anthony Abrantes of Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and Cyndie Williams of Carpenter Contractor Trust sit down with Tim Wakefield who shares how his crew at Dead Calm Seas Marine Services were brought in as diver riggers and quickly proved they could do much more.

From standby in a hotel to running the deck, they showed up ready to work - skilled, dependable, and committed to excellence. This is what happens when you invest in union labor.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://linktr.ee/labor_lounge_podcast

View labor_lounge_podcast’s Linktree to discover and stream music from top platforms like Spotify here. Your next favorite track is just a click away!

08/13/2025

🌊DIVE into a new episode of Labor Lounge Podcast - now LIVE 🌊

In this episode, Co-Hosts Anthony Abrantes of Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and Cyndie Williams of Carpenter Contractor Trust go DEEP with Tim Wakefield, Founder and CEO of Dead Calm Seas Marine Services (DCS), to explore one of the most fascinating corners of the construction world: underwater infrastructure.

From commercial diving and salvage ops to offshore wind and underwater archeology, Tim shares insights from a career that spans Navy diving, international waters, and high-stakes marine construction.

In this episode:
The overlap between marine and traditional construction
How union values like safety, training, and fair pay show up underwater
What it takes to run a dive crew and why trust is life or death
The future of labor in offshore wind and subsea development

Plus: wild stories of shipwrecks, recovery missions, and rare finds! This is one of our most unexpected episodes yet.

🎧 Listen here: https://linktr.ee/labor_lounge_podcast

07/16/2025

🚧 New Episode of Labor Lounge Podcast is now LIVE 🚧

In this episode, Co-Hosts Anthony Abrantes of Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and Cyndie Williams of Carpenter Contractor Trust sit down with Jack Kocsis Jr., CEO of the Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey (ACCNJ) Jack’s story starts with growing up in a union household and lands him at the forefront of labor relations, policy reform, and workforce development in New Jersey.

In this episode:
🔨 Why union + management partnerships actually work
🗣️ The lost art of negotiation (hint: it starts with listening)
🏗️ What lawmakers get wrong about labor enforcement
👷🏽‍♀️ Apprenticeship programs that reflect today’s workforce

Jack’s seen the industry transform - and helped transform it.

🎧 Check the comments to find your favorite place to listen!

06/27/2025

CCT Executive Director Cyndie Williams sat down with Tom Bergeron’s newest venture, BINJE, Cyndie dives into all things CCT and the Carpenters’ apprenticeship. Read more here: https://binje.com/a-builder-williams-executive-director-of-carpenter-contractor-trust-explains-why-union-labor-is-key-to-economic-development/

06/18/2025

In the latest episode from Labor Lounge Podcast, Co-Hosts Anthony Abrantes of Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and Cyndie Williams of Carpenter Contractor Trust talk with Jessica Ramirez, New Jersey Assemblywoman and trial attorney, about worker exploitation in the construction industry.

Jessica unpacks how it’s more pervasive than some people may think. From unsafe job sites to workers being coerced into silence, she sheds light on the everyday injustices that can lay hidden behind the build.

Tune in for a powerful conversation on how unions, policy, and advocacy can help drive the necessary change.

🎧Listen to the full episode at the link in our bio!

06/11/2025

A new episode of Labor Lounge Podcast is now LIVE🎙️

In this episode, Co-Hosts Anthony Abrantes of Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and Cyndie Williams of Carpenter Contractor Trust sit down with Jessica Ramirez, a Partner with the Law Offices of D'Arcy Johnson Day and a trial attorney specializing in serious personal injury, sexual abuse, medical device, and product liability litigation.

As a New Jersey Assemblywoman and lifelong advocate for worker protections, Jessica shares powerful and eye-opening insights on the realities of labor exploitation in the construction industry.

Jessica, Anthony, and Cyndie discuss:
Hidden labor exploitation in construction
The role of unions in education and advocacy
Strategies to better support women in trades and veterans transitioning to civilian employment
How public policy and community partnerships can create real pathways to economic mobility

Listen to the full episode here:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3GiCBegGg7ZQse51xY6JJh?si=ItukyzABTjaI9Jq0L5cP_g
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-6-jessica-ramirez-of-darcy-johnson-day/id1790430737?i=1000712262013
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-labor-lounge-podcast-257696439/episode/ep-6-jessica-ramirez-of-darcy-280158930/

05/28/2025

“If you're not at the table, you're on a menu.”
In the latest Labor Lounge Podcast episode, Co-Hosts Anthony Abrantes of Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and Cyndie Williams of Carpenter Contractor Trust talk with Jon Young who was most recently Council Representative with EASRCC before becoming the organization’s Political Director.
Jon, Anthony, and Cyndie discuss how good policy impacts good union jobs - and why we fight so hard to make sure there’s always a voice at the table when there are laws and policies being implemented in relation to the labor movement.

🎧Listen to the full episode:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2l3Cjux2KcxiCZPE6jCTp6?si=40b0378c37bd4760
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-5-jon-young-of-eastern-atlantic-states-regional/id1790430737?i=1000708357890
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-labor-lounge-podcast-257696439/episode/ep-5-jon-young-of-eastern-275390766/

05/21/2025

How do we deal with aging out and get the next generation excited about the trades?

In the latest episode from Labor Lounge Podcast, Co-Hosts Anthony Abrantes of Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and Cyndie Williams of Carpenter Contractor Trust sit down with Jon Young who was most recently Council Representative with EASRCC before becoming the organization’s Political Director.

Jon, Anthony, and Cyndie break down why bringing the labor movement back into education could be the key to rebuilding the next 30-year workforce - and changing families’ lives in the process.

Listen to the full episode:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2l3Cjux2KcxiCZPE6jCTp6?si=40b0378c37bd4760
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-5-jon-young-of-eastern-atlantic-states-regional/id1790430737?i=1000708357890
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-labor-lounge-podcast-257696439/episode/ep-5-jon-young-of-eastern-275390766/

05/14/2025

A new episode of Labor Lounge Podcast is now live on all platforms!

In this episode, Co-Hosts Anthony Abrantes of Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and Cyndie Williams of Carpenter Contractor Trust talk with Jon Young who was most recently Council Representative with EAS before becoming the organization’s Political Director.

A member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters since 1996, Jon shares his incredible journey through the trades, what it means to build generational wealth, and how the labor movement truly transforms lives.

Jon, Anthony, and Cyndie cover a wide variety of topics including:
- The correlation between good policy and the success of labor movement and worker protections
- Why labor needs to be back in school curriculums
- How mentorship + union access = systemic change
- What the “dash” between birth and death really says about success

From job sites to boardrooms, this conversation shows how labor builds more than buildings - it builds futures.

Listen to the full episode now:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2l3Cjux2KcxiCZPE6jCTp6?si=40b0378c37bd4760
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-5-jon-young-of-eastern-atlantic-states-regional/id1790430737?i=1000708357890
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-labor-lounge-podcast-257696439/episode/ep-5-jon-young-of-eastern-275390766/