NPR's Talk of the Nation: Changing Face of America

Rochester Town Hall Meeting

Talk of the Nation's host Juan Williams doing a live broadcast
Hour 1:
Rochester and the New Economy

Rochester, New York, is a city known for its adaptability. For much of the last century, its economy has been driven by three major companies -- Kodak, Bausch and Lomb, and Xerox. But in recent years, these companies have downsized, forcing Rochester to re-define itself. Like many cities, Rochester is trying to shift its economic core to high tech, but is that possible? Listen as host Juan Williams joins civic leaders in Rochester to discuss how many Northeastern cities are adjusting to the new economy.

Hour 2:
American Labor in the 21st Century

The last part of the 20th century was marked by a sharp drop in the number of union members. In 1960, some 30 percent of the U.S. workforce belonged to unions, but today less than 14 percent of employees hold union cards. And as fewer jobs are with manufacturers, the outlook for unions might not be so bright. But is this all bad news for the labor movement? What are unions doing to up their numbers? Listen as host Juan Williams and guests discuss the future of the labor movement in America.

Hour One Guests:

Tom Golisano of Paychex, Inc.

Jay Stein
Senior Vice President and Vice-Provost for Health Affairs at the University of Rochester

Hour Two Guests:

Gerald W. McEntee
International President for American Federation of State, County and Muncipal Employees (AFSCME)

Kate Bronfenbrenner
Director of Labor Education Research, School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University

The Changing Face of America is an 18-month-long NPR series that tells the stories of regular, everyday Americans and the issues they face at a time of rapid and dramatic change in the U.S. This special series can be heard on NPR's Talk of the Nation, All Things Considered and Morning Edition.