EPISODE · Sep 8, 2026 · 13 MIN

Union Control: How the Mafia Plundered Workers’ Wages

from A History of the American Mafia Podcast: Organized Crime, Mob Families, Bosses, Gangsters, Prohibition, Criminal Trials, and the Rise of La Cosa Nostra · host Podily & Josh Linsk

In this episode we trace how Italian‑American crime families turned labor unions into profit machines—from Johnny Dio’s phantom locals in the Teamsters to the Branciforte crew’s grip on the Philadelphia construction trade council, and from the 1968 Chicago pension fraud case to modern shell‑company skimming of union funds. We unpack the legal battles that exposed these schemes, the human toll on ordinary workers, and how unions ultimately fought back through reform movements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Sep 8, 2026

Embed this episode

Attribution link and audio player

Ready to play

Union Control: How the Mafia Plundered Workers’ Wages

0:00 13:32

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

No similar episodes found.

Similar Podcasts

French Your Way Jessica: Native French teacher founder of French Your Way Boost your French listening skills and test your comprehension with this one of a kind series of podcasts. Get the chance to listen to a real conversation between native speakers talking at normal speed AND customise your learning experience through carefully designed sets of questions (2 levels of difficulty) available for download at www.frenchvoicespodcast.com. All interviews also come with the transcript. French teacher Jessica interviews native speakers of French from around the world who share a bit of their life and passion. Where else would you meet in one same place a French yoga teacher based in Melbourne, a soap manufacturer from Provence, or a couple cycling around the world?

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of A History of the American Mafia Podcast: Organized Crime, Mob Families, Bosses, Gangsters, Prohibition, Criminal Trials, and the Rise of La Cosa Nostra?

This episode is 13 minutes long.

When was this A History of the American Mafia Podcast: Organized Crime, Mob Families, Bosses, Gangsters, Prohibition, Criminal Trials, and the Rise of La Cosa Nostra episode published?

This episode was published on September 8, 2026.

Can I download this A History of the American Mafia Podcast: Organized Crime, Mob Families, Bosses, Gangsters, Prohibition, Criminal Trials, and the Rise of La Cosa Nostra episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.

URL copied to clipboard!