In this episode, Anthony and Cyndie sit down with Jon Young, newly appointed Political Director of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. With nearly 30 years of experience in the labor movement and public service, Jon shares his powerful journey from working construction in Camden to leading policy for one of the most influential unions on the East Coast.
Jon also reflects on his time as a Camden County Commissioner and how partnerships with local schools are shaping future trade workers. If you’ve ever wondered how unions truly transform lives or what it takes to create lasting change in underserved communities, this conversation is a must-listen.
https://eascarpenters.org/
https://cctmarketing.org/
00:00 – Intro
01:03 – Meet Jon Young: Political Director, Commissioner, Advocate
02:24 – If you only knew one thing about the trades… it’s integrity
03:16 – The two biggest misconceptions about union construction
04:38 – Programs that promote diversity and access in the trades
06:56 – Las Vegas training stories and union leadership impact
09:11 – Jon’s journey: from non-union laborer to union leader
15:50 – The link between policy and good jobs
16:18 – How Project Labor Agreements benefit communities
18:36 – Defining success through “the dash” and impact
21:25 – The fight against wage theft and modern-day slavery
24:29 – Educating policymakers and students about labor history
26:25 – External vs internal challenges: wage theft vs aging out
28:44 – How unions support families, not just workers
30:18 – Reclaiming the labor movement’s story and relevance
31:12 – Partnering with vocational schools to build the pipeline
35:19 – Mentorship, expectations, and equity in recruiting
37:19 – Support systems, career pathways, and higher ed access
38:33 – Final thoughts and why representation matters