Labor’s 9/11 Legacy Podcast Honors the Union Workers Who Helped New York Recover and Rebuild

Hosted by Arthur Aidala, the series preserves firsthand stories of union workers, first responders and leaders who helped New York recover and rebuild.

NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, September 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — LaborForce Media today announced the launch of Labor’s 9/11 Legacy, a new podcast series marking the 25th Anniversary of September 11 and preserving the firsthand stories of the workers, first responders, public officials, civic leaders and others who helped New York City — and the nation — respond, recover and rebuild.

Hosted by New York attorney and broadcaster Arthur Aidala, the free podcast premieres September 10, with a new approximately one-hour episode released each week.

Listeners can hear Labor’s 9/11 Legacy at LaborForceMedia.com or wherever they get their podcasts.

The series explores September 11 not only through the tragedy of the day itself, but through the enormous human effort that followed — rescue and recovery, work at Ground Zero, restoring critical infrastructure, protecting New York, caring for those affected, rebuilding Lower Manhattan and preserving the lessons of the people who lived it.

Featured conversations include:
– Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York
– Sal Cassano, former FDNY Fire Commissioner
– Ray Kelly, former New York City Police Commissioner
– Peter King, former U.S. Congressman from New York
– Mike Bove, whose experience reflects the role of New York sanitation and recovery workers in the aftermath of the attacks
Additional voices and perspectives will be featured as the series continues.

“Twenty-five years later, we have a responsibility to preserve these stories while the people who lived them are still here to tell them,” said Kerri O’Brien, Co-Founder and CEO of LaborForce Media. “The labor story is an essential part of the 9/11 story. Thousands of men and women brought their skills, courage and sense of duty to one of the most difficult recovery efforts in American history. Their experiences deserve to be remembered by the generations that follow.”

Rather than following a traditional historical timeline, each episode is built around the experiences of the people who were there. The conversations move between personal memories, leadership, recovery, public service, health consequences, security, rebuilding and the rare sense of unity that emerged in the days and months following the attacks.

At the center of the series is a broader question: What does “Never Forget” require of us 25 years later?

For Aidala, the project is also personal.
“Like so many New Yorkers, I remember exactly where I was on September 11th, and I lost a close friend that day,” Aidala said. “These conversations are about more than looking backward. They are about remembering the courage, sacrifice and resilience of the people who carried New York forward, and making sure their stories are not lost.”

A Story of Labor, New York and America

Labor’s 9/11 Legacy gives particular attention to the working men and women whose roles are sometimes overshadowed in traditional accounts of September 11th.
Firefighters and police officers responded immediately, while construction tradespeople, sanitation workers, operating engineers, ironworkers, electricians, truck drivers, public employees and countless others became part of the long recovery and rebuilding effort.
The series also examines the lasting consequences of that work, including the health effects experienced by responders and recovery workers and the years of advocacy that followed.

“This is a union story, a New York story and an American story,” O’Brien said. “It reminds us what ordinary people are capable of when service, skill and shared purpose become more important than our differences.”

For LaborForce Media, the project is also an extension of its broader effort to bring labor stories to audiences through multiple media channels.

“Labor’s 9/11 Legacy is exactly the kind of story LaborForce Media was created to tell,” said Darren Yelin, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of LaborForce Media. “These are powerful firsthand conversations with people who helped carry New York through an extraordinary period in our history. By bringing these voices together through podcasting, digital media, radio and social platforms, we can make sure the stories reach not only the people who remember September 11th, but also younger generations who need to understand what happened afterward and who made the recovery possible.”

Via Benefits is a Supporting Sponsor of the series.
Their support helps LaborForce Media expand the reach of the project and preserve these conversations as an enduring digital record of the people and experiences that shaped New York’s recovery.
The podcast is available free to listeners on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart and wherever listeners get their podcasts.

Listen to Labor’s 9/11 Legacy
Listeners can follow the series, watch previews and learn more at:
https://laborforcemedia.com/labors-9-11-legacy/

About LaborForce Media

LaborForce Media is a labor-focused news and media platform dedicated to covering the people, organizations, issues and developments shaping working America.
Through news, interviews, podcasts, digital media, special projects, events and media partnerships, LaborForce Media elevates labor and workforce stories and connects them with broader audiences.
LaborForce Media is also the media partner behind The Daily Jolt with Rick Smith, a weekday radio and podcast program focused on the issues, news and conversations affecting working people across America. Together, LaborForce Media’s news coverage, podcasting, radio programming and digital platforms create multiple ways for labor leaders, workers, employers and industry partners to reach and engage working America. https://laborforcemedia.com/

About Aidala Bertuna & Kamins, PC

Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins is a high-powered firm handling criminal law, civil litigation, and appellate matters, delivering the best possible outcomes through focused, hands-on teams devoted to every client’s case.
https://aidalalaw.com/

About Via Benefits

9/11 holds particular significance for Via Benefits because of the communities we serve. Labor unions – and especially firefighters, first responders, tradespeople and public-sector workers – were central to the response, recovery and rebuilding efforts, with impacts that continue decades later. Our work helping unions honor the commitments they’ve made to their members and retirees in a sustainable way reflects that same respect for service, legacy and promises that endure.
Via Benefits helps organizations support retirees, active employees, and individuals beyond the traditional group health plan through individual health insurance enrollment, funding, and benefits administration solutions. Its offerings combine personalized guidance, digital tools, and integrated account administration to help people make informed healthcare decisions while giving employers greater flexibility, predictability, and support across the workforce lifecycle.
solutions.viabenefits.com

LaborForce Media Contact
Darren Yelin
Co-Founder & Chief Revenue Officer
LaborForce Media
Darren@LaborForceMedia.com
646-522-2420
LaborForceMedia.com

Kerri OBrien
LaborForce Media
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