UnionDues

Sexual Harassment - A trade union issue

In a special episode of the Union Dues podcast, we step into the fray of sexual harassment.  Guided by Andrea Oates, author of an excellent new LRD publication on sexual harassment, we drill down into questions of definitions, prevalence legal remedies, and effective union campaigns – on awareness, prevention, reporting, monitoring and, of course, representation.

Sadly union structures are not immune from misogyny and sexual harassment:  three successive reports by KCs showed how the GMB, RCN and TSSA unions had become delinquent with awful consequences for female staff and activists.  No surprise that the #meTUwomen came into being to give a voice to those denied one for so long.

We don’t ignore or minimise these matters, but place them in the context of the remedial and preventative work being done across the movement, with unions such as ASLEF and BFAWU being particularly pro-active.

We hear from Fliss Premru on how #meTU came into being, and what changes it seeks to achieve.  And Sarah Wooley, General Secretary of the Bakers’ and Food Workers’ union gives her unique and powerful perspective on the steps she has taken to strength the democracy and unity of her own union, why the movement needs to get its house in order, and how we can tell if we are making progress.

This podcast is not always comfortable listening – nor should it be.  But if you want the true and complete trade union view on sexual harassment, it is a must-hear event.

A companion blog with links, signposting and background is here

New TUC President Maria Exall on activism, faith and sexuality

In this special episode, we have an in-depth discussion with newly elected TUC president Maria Exall.   Is being the first openly LGBTQ+ president a breakthrough moment?  What is the interaction between her Catholic faith and activism? How is the union-Labour relationship (she is also vice-chair of TULO)?  What life is like in the CWU at present given most of the union's members are in dispute?  Access all episodes at bit.ly/DuesUnion. Companion blog here. Music by Scott Holmes. A Makes-You-Think production.

The GMB/Deliveroo deal - a masterclass in negotiation or cynical PR move?

When GMB and Deliveroo announced an agreement covering all 100,000 of the company’s self-employed drivers and riders, it was a bit of a “Shock and Awe” moment.  Is this a fantastic feat of negotiation or, as the IWGB union put it “a cynical PR exercise”?  In this special episode Deliveroo’s Joe Carberry and GMB’s Mick Rix discuss with Simon how the deal came to be,  what it covers (and what it doesn’t), and why both believe the deal could be a blueprint for the modern world of work.  Companion blog at bit.ly/Loudshirts. Music by Scott Holmes. A Makes-You-Think production.

Knowledge is power - how can unions use data?

In this special episode, we look at an important new survey from Unions21 into how unions can use data.  Report author Tom Hunt reminds us that, like death and taxes, data has always been with us.  But effective use of data not only leads to better decision making, but also sets the stage for wholesale cultural change in unions, driving improvements in organising, servicing and governance based on evidence-based allocation of resources and investing in a sharing-based rather than silo-based way of working.  With case studies from Linda Kelly (Forsa) and Melantha Chittendnen (Community).  Companion blog here.  Music by Scott Holmes.  A Makes-You-Think production.

Reach, information, persuasion - successful union comms w/Kevin Slocombe

In the latest episode,  Simon chats with Kevin Slocombe – for 12 years the Communication Workers’ Union’s Head of Communications before moving on to work with Jeremy Corbyn while he was Leader of the Opposition, and then becoming Chief Of Staff for Bristol’s Mayor, Marvin Rees - not one but three roles that are each fascinating in their own way, but not often open for viewing and discussion. Kevin’s assessment of what works best in comms is one that comes with real authority.  We also have Mel Simms’ #thought4theweek direct from the UCU picket line,  Basit Mahmood with his #RadicalRoundUp, and news of a brand new podcast from the UnionDues stable.  A Makes-You-Think production. Music by Scott Holmes. A member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network.

Timestamps 2m01s - #thought4theweek, with Mel Simms, 5m28s - Kevin Slocombe  (6m48s – CWU,  17m14s - LOTO, 29m10s – Bristol), 36m44s - #RadicalRoundUp, with Basit Mahmood, 40m21s - New podcast news! Total run time  - 43m57s

 

Double delight

Simon introduces not one but two helpings of Mel Simms' #thought4theweek - what is the impact of long Covid, and will the looming cost-of-living crisis increase the chances of union successes?  There's also a new format expanded #RaicalRoundUp as Basit Mahmood guides us through care homes being insourced by local authorities,  care workers at breaking point,  Amazon quietly ditching paying people to rebut critical tweets, and the longest ever gig worker strike by Stuart drivers.  Plus hear David Rovics play his City Hall Workers' Strike Song.  Full details, links etc at bit.ly/3LkrOuM    Music by Scot Holmes.  A Makes-You-Think production

The Great Post Office Scandal - role of postmasters’ union is cause for concern

As the public enquiry into the Horizon IT scandal gears up,  Simon looks at the role played by the National Federation of sub-Postmasters, the Fed,  in the mass prosecution and conviction of its own members for fraud and theft that they were entirely innocent of. He is joined by author of The Great Post Office Scandal Nick Wallis, former Fed Executive Council member Mark Baker, and communications union (and refuge for dissident and disillusioned Fed members) national officer Andy Furey.  “A jaw-dropping tale of what happens when unions distrust their members and surrender independence.”  Music by Scott Holmes.   A Makes-You-Think production.

Labour market regulation needs strong unions

In the latest UnionDues, Simon chats with Alice Martin from PIRC about labour market regulation, enforcement and the scourge of non-compliance.  Just why does this matter so much to unions and what is the scope for action?   Mel Simms looks at the theory that underpins this regulation in her #thought4theweek.  Spoiler alert – both Alice and Mel conclude that union involvement is essential for decent employment standards.  With Basit Mahmood adding his #RadicalRoundUp of union stories that problem won’t get covered n the mainstream media, and you have a bumper 1^st edition of 2022.  Companion blog for links, etc, here. Part of the Labor Radio Podcast Network,  Music by Scott Holmes. A Makes-You-Think production. Timestamps:  Mel Simms – 2m27s, Alice Martin - 7m37s, Basit Mahmood – 46m.33s, Jack Dromey tribute – 50m08s

Are we there yet? Is the race for gender equality nearly over?

A bumper episode for the holiday season.  With women in union leadership roles increasing, and more women than men in union membership,  is the fight for gender equality close to an end?  The TUC's Nikki Pound and leading academic Dr Cecile Guillaume walk us through a landscape that is varied and challenging.  But are we moving forwards or falling back?  Plus Mel Simms' #thought4theweek  and Basit Mahmood's #RadicalRoundup. Time stamps - Mel: 3m06s, Nikki: 6m37s, Cecile: 35m51s, Basit:57m00s. Part of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Music by Scott Holmes. A Makes-You-Think production.

Making global solidarity real - w/Eric Lee of LaborStart

In the latest UnionDues podcast, global union newsite LaborStart’s  founder Eric Lee explains why website hits don’t matter and email campaigning still gets his vote. Glasgow university’s Professor Mel Simms on the power, potential and pitfalls of digital organising, and Basit Mahmood brings us union stories you won’t see in mainstream media in the #RadicalRoundUp.  Music by Scott Holmes, part of the Labour Radio Podcast Network. A Makes-You-Think production.