Labor Lounge Podcast

17/10/2025

“Think of it as a content machine to support all your marketing efforts.”

In a very special episode of Labor Lounge Podcast live from NJ Business & Industry Association (NJBIA)'s 11th Annual Women Business Leaders Forum, Co-Hosts Anthony Abrantes of Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and Cyndie Williams of Carpenter Contractor Trust were joined on-stage by their powerhouse podcast producers Carey Balogh and Lauren Sleeman of Brand Groupies to talk about why podcasting is one of the most powerful tools in a business leader’s toolkit.

If you’ve ever thought about starting your own podcast, this conversation is for you.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://linktr.ee/labor_lounge_podcast?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=cd7726b4-26c3-4095-9905-cff6602c2b35

10/09/2025

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

20/08/2025

🌊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!

13/08/2025

🌊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

16/07/2025

🚧 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!

27/06/2025

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/