UnionDues

Society seems, somehow, to be getting more violent .  And that means that working life is more likely to experience violent incidents – which means, of course, workers are more at risk. Understanding what drives this trend, and gathering together the many and various ways unions are seeking to protect their members is the mission of a new publication for the Labour Research Department .  In a spec...

Let me run a few stats by you:  £104 million in recovered back pay, £41 million in members’ pay per year going forward, 5000 new members recruited and 164 days of Industrial action with employers who refused to engage.  They are the results, so far, of Unison's campaign to recruit and organise Health Care Assistants in the NHS.  National officer Louise Chinnery tells us how it was done - and what...

10 years in the making and anti-apartheid docu-drama-thriller movie London Recruits premieres in November.  In this special episode, Director and writer Gordon Main chats about the making of the film and the vital role unions and trade unionists have in making it the UK's most successful independent movie launch ever! Companion blog here . Running time 26m07s. A Makes You Think production

in this episode we sit down with Gawain Little, General Secretary of the General Federation of Trade Unions which this year celebrates it’s 125th birthday.  The Federation is possibly best known for its phenomenal education and training programme but that is by no means the only string to its bow. Glasgow Univesity’s Professor of Work and Employment, Melanie Simms also has education on her mind as...

In the latest UnionDues episode, Musicians’ Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl talks us through the big issues facing her union’s 34,000 members. Working in a sector worth £7bn ,  there should be some scope for everyone to get a reasonable share of the spoils – but of course, the world’s not like that. So the union is keeping the pressure on with their #FixStreaming campaign. Naomi also discusses...

In this special “toolkit” episode, we look in detail at the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act – where it has come from, and why it is disproportionate, non-consensual and dangerously ill-conceived.  As the Act moves into the implementation phase,  Simon and leading union lawyer Richard Arthur dissect the issues, place the Act in context, and point out why government hopes for union disempowerme...

StrikeMap is undoubtedly a slam-dunk success.  The brainchild of Rob Poole and Henry Fowler , it is a real time on line map showing industrial action. Now over 230 thousand strike actions have been mapped and StrikeMap’s data is sought out by journalists, academics and researchers. But how did it all start.  What is the story of Rob and Henry’s journey that led them to StrikeMap? Where did the ide...

Unions21 Executive Director Becky Wright on why good governance matters to unions,  the role "User Experience Design" (UXD) plays in making things better, forthcoming work on unions and AI and the lessons learned from recent industrial action.  Also, Prof Melanie Simms on why knowledge and social partnership are key ingredients for union effectiveness.  Companion blog at bit.ly/3QznZpe Timestamps...

In the new UnionDues episode, Alan Jones reflects on what it’s like to be the “last man standing” amongst industrial correspondents, why the Miner’s strike of 1984-5 was a turning point for unions, how the present unrest “is not just about strikes”, and why Julian Assange should be decorated rather than demonised. In her #thought4theweek, Mel Simms urges more public discourse on the role and funct...

In the first episode of season 6, Glasgow university's Prof Mel Simms on why we need to talk about use of social media in industrial disputes, and Simon chats with leading US labor podcaster Chirs Garlock about the 200-strong Labor Radio Podcast Network, and why Joe Biden standing on a picket line with a bull-horn is a game-changer. Timestamps:  Melanie Simms 2m02s, Chris Garlock 7m06s, Discussion...

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 imm...

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?...

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 doe...

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...

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. Kevi...

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...

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...

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 dece...

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 Basi...

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...

In the latest episode, Simon chats with doctors’ union Chief Executive Tom Grinyer – lots of weighty issues from what BMA strapline  “Looking after doctors so they can look after you” means in practice, to unique relationships with the TUC, the Royal Medical Colleges and the British Medical Journal.  Also featuring Prof Mel Simms #thought4theweek and Basit Mahmood previews the #RadicalRoundUp.  Mu...

In this special episode, Simon chats to James about why the UK Supreme Court ruling wasn't the last word on Uber drivers' employment rights, why the company's operating model breeds poverty and pollution, how to organise in a world of algorithms and "robo-firings" and ADCU's common cause with sister union GMB. UnionDues is part of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. A Makes-You-Think production. Musi...

In this special episode, Simon explores the legacy of the 1888 Matchgirls' strike on union organising, safe working, collective voice and women's emancipation and finds a "golden thread" linking then to now.  The Feathers and Pennnies collection of Matchgirls-inspired poems and prose is available here.   Companion blog here .  Music by Scott Holmes and The Pete Dunhill Choir.  A Makes-You-Think pr...

Featuring Artists' union co-chair Zita Holbourne in conversation with Simon , Professor Mel Simms asks "What are we organising for?" in her #thought4theweek,  Josiah Mortimer brings us the latest #RadicalRoundUp of union stories you just may have missed.  Companion blog at bit.ly/IndustryWithoutArt . Music by Scott Holmes. A Makes-You-Think production. Part of the Labor Radio Podcast Network .  co...

The Indian General Strike at the end of 2020 saw 250 million workers take action.  How and why does that happen? What's behind the headlines?  Simon chats with senior INTUC officer Ajitesh Pandey to find out. Plus Mel Simms on why mobilising and organising are not the same, and Josiah Mortimer' s #RadicalRoundUp.  Music by Scott Holmes. Companion blog here . A Makes-You-Think production