Unions at the heart of government - w/Dave Penman

The new series of UnionDues kicks off with Simon in discussion with Dave Penman, General Secretary of the senior civil servants’ union, the FDA.

FDA members are at the heart of government – so when legal action is launched by the union against the Prime Minister over ignoring reports of bullying by his Home Secretary, it’s arguably a case of either feeling certain to win or having nothing to lose.

In reality it is neither, but Dave takes us through the background, and the importance of the issues at stake. What he says will shock you (or maybe not, which would be worse)

We also look at why the union is reluctantly preparing for industrial action at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service,  the merits of the joint venture  with Unison that created Managers In Partnership (a union structure for senior health sector staff), and why blowhards for reform should “walk in the shoes” of the civil servants they’re criticising, and how being FDA General Secretary is the best job in the world.

Plus eye-catching stories from around the labour movement involving maps, priests and gas fitters, and Prof Mel Simms from the University of Glasgow  shares her “thought for the week” on the NEU safe schools campaign.

A member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network.   Companion blog here.  Access all episodes here. Produced by Makes You Think