Episodes
Tuesday Oct 27, 2020
An epic journey! Postal workers in the twenteens, w/Terry Pullinger
Tuesday Oct 27, 2020
Tuesday Oct 27, 2020
The latest UnionDues podcast takes us on an epic industrial journey through the twenteens as seen through the eyes of the Communication Workers’ Union’s 100,000 plus postal members.
Deputy General Secretary Terry Pullinger talks us through a story of privatisation, the rarity of legally binding collective agreements, hello to a destructive new CEO, two massive Yes votes for strike action, good-bye to afore-mentioned CEO, and the challenge of being key workers in a pandemic that’s like a war.
Also in this episode, an update on the campaign to save Unionlearn in England as some Conservatives lambast the CBI over firm-level training, gloves off over BT plans for compulsory redundancies, and USDAW’s plea to Welsh shoppers.
Companion blogpost here. UnionDues is part of the Labor Radio Podcast Network of over 70 union-related podcasts, accessible via the LRPN portal. You can also stream or download this and all episodes here. Contact the show at uniondues@makes-you-think.com or @DuesUnion.
Stream, download, share, rate, comment but above all enjoy!
Tuesday Oct 20, 2020
A Brave New World of work w/Christina Colclough
Tuesday Oct 20, 2020
Tuesday Oct 20, 2020
Covid has dramatically changed the notion of work and workplaces. The growth of “super surveillance” was established before the pandemic hit, but the upsurge in home and remote working has been a massive accelerant. In the latest episode of UnionDues, Simon is joined by Christina Colclough, director of the Why Not lab which looks at the future of work from the workers’ perspective: What can, should and must unions do to safeguard their members, and what’s likely to happen if they don’t.
Also updates on a new Trade Union Advisory Group, a successful outcome for NUJ members at Bullivant Media and Unite puts Heathrow Airport management on the spot in a row on jobs and pay.
Companion blog post here. Part of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. A Makes-You-Think production.
Tuesday Oct 13, 2020
Unions after Covid - w/Becky Wright
Tuesday Oct 13, 2020
Tuesday Oct 13, 2020
In the latest UnionDues podcast episode, Simon chats with Becky Wright, Executive Director of the Unions21 “think and do” tank. What will unions look like after Covid? What lessons will we learn? That’s the aim of Becky’s new research project (with help from SPERI and ACTU), and we’re all invited to take part.
We also talk pivoting to deliver services and support on-line during the pandemic, why new members are an untapped organising resource, what is strategic corporate research and why you should use it, why member engagement can’t work in isolation – and nor can a digital strategy.
Plus news on or from Unionlearn, the GFTU, and Labour Research. Companion blogpost here. A Makes-You-Think production.
Tuesday Oct 06, 2020
It's all about organising - w/Rozanne Foyer
Tuesday Oct 06, 2020
Tuesday Oct 06, 2020
In this episode of the UnionDues podcast we feature an in-depth conversation with Scottish TUC General Secretary Rozanne Foyer. Roz took up office in February 2020 and is the 13th holder of the post – and first woman appointed to it.
We covered a lot of ground in our discussion – the Better Than Zero campaign to bring collective voice and action to precarious workers, how Covid has caused a fundamental rethink of what organising means in a period of social distancing and lockdown, working with the Scottish Government, and the ever-present question if Scottish independence – or not.
There’s time to for Roz to share her trade union journey, from very junior civil servant, via chair of the STUC’s Youth Committee, co-hosting a session at the centenary STUC Congress with the legendary Mick McGahey, to the hopes for the role she now holds. As you’ll hear – the glass is definitely and defiantly half-full. Read the companion blogpost A Makes-You-Think production.
Tuesday Sep 29, 2020
Unions and the self-employment challenge
Tuesday Sep 29, 2020
Tuesday Sep 29, 2020
Simon assesses the prospects for growing unionisation of the self-employed, looking at the greater appetite for collective voice and belief that more can be achieved by working together on issues that matter most. Established and new unions are reporting a new enthusiasm with NUJ recruitment up by as much as 60%, and new actors such as The Creator Union coming onto the stage.
But this should be no surprise. The self-employed sector now accounts for 1 in 6 of UK workers, some 5 million people. And 40% of them are on poverty pay. And as becomes sadly clear, the lack of diversity in the creative industries is no accident – and that makes action on inclusivity imperative.
With Pam Morton (NUJ) Kate Dearden (Community) founders of the new Creator Union, Kat Molesworth and Nicole Ocran, and Paul Evans (BECTU) .
UnionDues is part of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. Read the companion blogpost. A Makes-you-Think production.
Timestamps- NUJ - 2m55s, Community - 11m23s, TCU - 19m04s, Bectu - 31m13s
Monday Sep 21, 2020
Catwalks and Organising - Unionising the fashion sector w/Jamie Briers
Monday Sep 21, 2020
Monday Sep 21, 2020
In the latest episode of the UnionDues podcast, Simon chats with Equity National Industrial Organiser Jamie Briers about the relationship between catwalks and unions – epitomised by Equity’s agreement with London Fashion Week’s host – the British Fashion Council.
The fashion industry is worth £35bn a year to the UK economy and employs nearly 900,000 people. And London Fashion Week, taking place right now, is a globally important event..
We also talk about the existential crisis facing British Theatre – and why the £1.5bn aid package from government was nowhere near enough and how the union with others launched a comprehensive campaign to save the sector.
The companion blogpost is here, and you can reach nearly 70 trade union related podcasts through the Labor Radio Podcast Network portal . A Makes You Think production
Tuesday Sep 15, 2020
Tuesday Sep 15, 2020
This week’s episode of UnionDues, Simon spends time in the company of Shavanah Taj, who heads up the Wales TUC and takes a look at what the annual TUC Congress can learn from changes forced upon it by the Covid pandemic. Companion blog here .
Email us at uniondues@makes-you-think.com and tweet us @DuesUnion. Rate or review us on the podcast platform of your choice. Thank you.
Tuesday Sep 08, 2020
Inside the GFTU, What next for GMB, and Ewan MacColl too
Tuesday Sep 08, 2020
Tuesday Sep 08, 2020
The latest UnionDues episode goes behind the scenes at the General Federation of Trade Unions – the GFTU is 120 years old, has nearly 50 affiliates and a great track record of building and supporting unions and activists. (Our podcast with Rebecca Winson last series is also relevant here).
The report by Karon Monaghan QC into sexual discrimination and sexism concerns in the GMB is a distressing and deeply disappointing read. It is publicly available on the union’s website and an apology has been promptly issued by the union’s President. We ask what happens next?
Finally, we look back to a union recruitment drive from 60 years ago when the then National Union of Tailors and Garment Workers commissioned legendary singer, songwriter and activist Ewan MacColl to record a song for them. Hear the tune and the background to it on the show.
Email us at uniondues@makes-you-think.com or tweet us @DuesUnion.
Part of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. A Makes-You-Think production
Wednesday Sep 02, 2020
Union website league table and latest union news
Wednesday Sep 02, 2020
Wednesday Sep 02, 2020
UnionDues is back. This first episode of the new series sees Simon chatting with Simon Parry, presenting an exclusive look at this year’s league table of union websites, looking back over unions’ use of IT and spotting the hits and misses, and debating why data security is the most pressing, must-deal issue for us. We survey the industrial landscape and shout out to IWGB, CWU and NUJ members in struggle and see how new unions are developing despite Covid and recession. Companion blog available here. Part of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. A Makes-You-Think production.
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
Pharmacists: Organising to meet the Covid challenge
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
In the latest UnionDues podcast, Simon chats with Paul Day, Director of the Pharmacists’ union PDAU. Following an epic campaign, Paul talks about his hopes now for the union-employer relationship, the challenge for pharmacists during coronavirus, and why the crisis was exactly the right time to introduce dedicated equality, diversity and inclusivity networks within the union.
Also
- The spat between Parliament’s Education select Committee and teacher unions’ leaders is dissected: If getting everyone back to school was as easy as some think, it would surely have been done by now! But what will it take to make this aspiration a reality?
- Worrying news on Employment Tribunal waiting times
- A senior Aviva analyst calls for high earners to contribute first and most if cash is short
UnionDues is on holiday until September, when we return for our second series. Thanks to all our guests and everyone who has listened, commented, emailed, tweeted and retweeted.
You can read the companion blog is here and access this and all episodes here. Please download, stream, listen, share, rate, but above all enjoy.
Join the conversation: uniondues@makes-you-think.com, @DuesUnion. A Makes-You-Think production