Best Trade Union Podcasts (2024)

1
Interview with Sultana Hossain from the Amazon Labor Union in the USA 13:15

11d ago13:15

13:15

Send us a text "We were dying," says Sultana Hossain, describing the conditions that led thousands of Amazon employees in New York City to begin organising into a trade union. Initially, their union was independent and had no backing from anyone else -- and yet the workers were able to force an election in the workplace, win a majority and inspire …

1
Interview with Carlos Ching-Hung Wang, the president of the China Steel Express Union (Taiwan) 6:37

1M ago6:37

6:37

Send us a text China Steel Express (CSE), the most profitable subsidiary of Taiwan's largest state-owned enterprise, China Steel Corporation (CSC), has long exploited Taiwanese seafarers through illegal fixed-term contracts. Recently, CSE replaced Taiwanese seafarers with Chinese crew. As a result, more than 300 seafarers lost their jobs. In July, …

1
The struggle for jobs and dignity at Liberty Steel 14:38

3M ago14:38

14:38

Send us a text An interview with Judith Kirton-Darling, general secretary of IndustriAll Europe, about the ongoing fight of Liberty Steel workers in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland in the face of catastrophic job losses. Judith talks about the background to the struggle, including latest developments, including a walk out this morning by Lib…

1
Interview with Srđan from Radnicki Glas (Workers Voice) in Serbia 14:46

3M ago14:46

14:46

Send us a text This week we interviewed Srđan from Radnicki Glas (Workers Voice) in Serbia. The group is very involved with the ongoing campaign at the Yura factories in Serbia -- which is the subject of a LabourStart ActNOW campaign. (Click here to learn more.) We talked about unions and workers in general in Serbia and the specific issues faced b…

1
Interview with David Edwards, General Secretary of the Education International 11:13

4M ago11:13

11:13

Send us a text We spoke with David Edwards just three weeks before the opening of the congress of the Education International, which unites trade unions of teachers and other educational professionals. The EI is one of the biggest global unions -- it has 383 member organisations, representing more than 32 million people in 178 countries and territo…

1
Interview with Judith Kirton-Darling, General Secretary of IndustriAll Europe 11:29

4M ago11:29

11:29

Send us a text Less than 24 hours after the results of the first round of the French legislative elections were known, and with the threat of a far Right government for the first time since Vichy, we interviewed Judith Kirton-Darling. Judith is General Secretary of IndustriAll Europe, which represents 7 million working men and women united within 2…

1
Interview with Macarena Grimalt Fernandes, Argentinian trade unionist 10:35

5M ago10:35

10:35

Send us a text Earlier this month there were giant protests across Argentina following the attempts by the country's new president, Javier Gerardo Milei, to impose his dystopian vision on the country. Milei's government is cracking down on workers' rights, downsizing and privatising much of the public sector, and triggering a huge increase in unemp…

1
Interview with Esther Lynch, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) 18:11

6M ago18:11

18:11

Send us a text This week, we spoke with Esther Lynch, the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). The ETUC represents 45 million members from 93 trade union organisations in 41 European countries, plus 10 European Trade Union Federations. In a wide-ranging discussion, we spoke about the upcoming European elections and wh…

1
Interview with Khaing Zar, trade union leader from Myanmar 14:03

6M ago14:03

14:03

Send us a text Khaing Zar is President of the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM) and Treasurer of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Myanmar (CTUM). Forced into exile following the military coup d'etat in February 2021, she is a leading spokesperson for the embattled trade unions of her country, which have now been effectively banned…

1
Interview with Jan Willem Goudriaan, General Secretary of the European Public Service Union (EPSU) 11:34

6M ago11:34

11:34

Send us a text This week we interviewed Jan Willem Goudriaan, General Secretary of the European Public Service Union (EPSU). EPSU brings together trade unions from across Europe. It influences the policies and decisions of employers, governments and European institutions that affect public service workers, their families and communities. It mobilis…

1
Interview with Luc Triangle, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) 13:15

6M ago13:15

13:15

Send us a text Luc Triangle is the new general secretary of the global labour movement's peak body, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). The ITUC represents 191 million workers united in 340 affiliated national trade union centres around the globe. We spoke with Luc about the ITUC's new "For Democracy" campaign, about the globally-re…

1
Interview with Rebecca Owens, flight attendant at Alaska Airlines and proud trade unionist 12:33

6M ago12:33

12:33

Send us a text Rebecca Owens is a proud flight attendant and active member of AFA (Association of Flight Attendants)-CWA Council 30 in Anchorage, Alaska. She has stepped up as her union is in contract negotiations at Alaska Airlines by helping to organize informational pickets, volunteering to go on camera to share the stories of her union brothers…

1
Interview with Amanda Gearing and Darren Westwood about the strike by Amazon workers in the UK 10:49

7M ago10:49

10:49

Send us a text Darren is an Amazon worker and Amanda is a senior organiser for the GMB union in the UK. Together, they tell a story of low pay, union busting and an atmosphere of fear at Amazon -- but also a story of courage, solidarity and hope as workers unite and take on one of the largest and most powerful corporations in the world. Learn more …

1
Interview with Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress 13:22

7M ago13:22

13:22

Send us a text When Bea Bruske was a teenager she found herself walking a picket line for many months -- a strike prolonged unnecessarily because her employer had hired scabs. Today she's the President of the Canadian Labour Congress and is leading the fight for anti-scab legislation. A bill now making its way through the Canadian federal parliamen…

1
Interview with Ahmad Badawy, Egyptian trade union activist 12:05

7M ago12:05

12:05

Send us a text The textile workers at Egypt's state-owned Mahalla factory have a history they can be proud of -- their strikes helped to bring down the Mubarak dictatorship. In March 2024, when the Egyptian government decided to exclude them from a minimum wage equal to US $120 (per month - before taxes), they rose up in protest, led by women worke…

1
Interview with Sally McManus, Secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) 8:43

8M ago8:43

8:43

Send us a text Australia under its new Labor government is seeing a huge revival of the trade union movement with new "closing loopholes" laws that strengthen workers' rights. At the centre of the struggle is Sally McManus and the Australian trade union movement. Sally is a fighter and is often quoted saying: "I believe in the rule of law where the…

1
Interview with Nick MacWilliam from Justice for Colombia 14:39

8M ago14:39

14:39

Send us a text Colombia used to be described as the most dangerous place on earth to be a trade unionist. Sadly, that is still the case. But as Nick MacWilliam from the UK-based, trade union-backed Justice for Colombia explains, things are getting better. Colombia now has a progressive president, supported by the unions, and Nick -- who has just re…

1
Interview with Kazem Nik-Khah - about workers in Iran 11:44

8M ago11:44

11:44

Send us a text Kazem is in charge of international relations at Free Them Now, which was set up in 2005 to build international support for jailed workers in Iran. News from Free Them Now can be found on LabourStart's Iran page.By Eric Lee - LabourStart

1
Interview with Marc Belanger - Radio Labour 17:42

8M ago17:42

17:42

Send us a text Marc Belanger was doing labour education and union organising online back in the 1980s. That's NOT a typo -- he established SoliNet (Solidarity Network) for Canada's largest union, CUPE, nearly 40 years ago. He went on to run the International Labour Organisation's training centre in Turin, Italy and now is back in Canada, where he f…

1
Interview with Carolina Dantas – Project Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean Building and Wood Worker’s International (BWI) 8:51

8M ago8:51

8:51

Send us a text We spoke with Carolina about the situation in Panama where the government has been attacking the construction workers' union, accusing the union leaders of 'terrorism' and closing off their bank accounts. The union and BWI have mobilised global support, including a LabourStart campaign -- and the government is feeling the pressure. F…

1
Interview with Olesia Briazgunova, International Officer of KVPU in Ukraine 9:47

8M ago9:47

9:47

Send us a text We interviewed Olesia about the situation of Ukraine's workers and their unions. While she was speaking to us in Kyiv, she reported that a Russian missile attack was taking place at the same time. Olesia's message to the workers and trade unions of the world is essential listening - please share this widely! To learn more about the s…

1
Interview with Assaf Adiv from Maan - about West Bank Palestinian workers 11:58

9M ago11:58

11:58

Send us a textBy Eric

1
Interview with Belarusian trade unionist Lizaveta Merliak 15:41

9M ago15:41

15:41

Send us a text In this conversation with LabourStart's Eric Lee, Liza talks about the past, present and future of the trade unions in Belarus.By Eric

1
5: Your Field of Dreams! 2:41

1+ y ago2:41

2:41

Are you a member of the Carpenters’ Electrical Local 57? Do you have questions about the IBEW or our campaign to help you? Please consider jumping on during our Microsoft Teams “live” event on April 4th, from 5 to 6 pm. You can join anonymously through your web browser and ask any questions you may have to two IBEW Business Managers, Local 1’s Fran…

1
4: Ask the Business Managers! 7:18

1+ y ago7:18

7:18

We invite the members of the Carpenters' Electrical Local 57 to join our live Microsoft Teams event, "Ask the Business Managers," hosted by Local 1, IBEW Business Manager Frank Jacobs and Local 309, IBEW, Business Manager Chris Hankins. Please review the information published on jointheibew.org and feel free to drop any questions you have in the ch…

1
3: What would you do if you weren't afraid? 4:36

1+ y ago4:36

4:36

Liberating workers living under a substandard agreement is impossible if they are paralyzed by fear. Here is the link to the NLRB's Employee's Rights poster: https://www.nlrb.gov/news-publications/publications/employee-rights-notice-postingBy American Trade Unionist

1
2: Signing Cards & Solidarity 4:08

1+ y ago4:08

4:08

A 57 member asks, "If I sign a card, will you promise to get me in the IBEW?" John Kahrhoff answers him in this episode. Visit https://jointheibew.org/ to learn more!By American Trade Unionist

1
1: Let's Do This! 5:17

1+ y ago5:17

5:17

A labor dispute between two powerful labor unions and its detrimental impact on St. Louis working families. Visit https://jointheibew.org/ to learn more!By American Trade Unionist

1
The Future Is Now Episode 3, December 2019 23:43

5y ago23:43

23:43

In the third in our 'The Future Is Now' series, celebrating the TUC's Year of the Young Worker, Joanne Findlay speaks to young member Ellie Drake about her experience of visiting Cuba, the importance of international solidarity and transferable lessons for our work in the United Kingdom.By UNISON North West

1
The future is now - Interview with UNISON nursing representative Ian Mooney 16:01

5y ago16:01

16:01

In the second of our young workers 'The Future is Now' series, Lyndsey Marchant interviews UNISON representative, nurse and young member Ian MooneyBy UNISON North West

1
August 2019 - Organising with Social Media and Young Workers Specials Episode 1 35:19

5y ago35:19

35:19

In our August edition, James Bull speaks to TUC digital expert Anthony Hayes, and in our first special edition in honour of the 'Year of the Young Worker, Jack, Sam and Joel from the UNISON North West Young Members' Forum talk about what inspired them to get more involved in UNISON, what they get out of being involved and active in a trade union an…

1
March 2019 43:04

5+ y ago43:04

43:04

Featuring interviews with Dr. Sundari Anitha and Dr. Ruth Pearson on their book 'Striking Women, struggles and strategies of South Asian women workers from Grunwick to Gate Gourmet' and David Arnold of Unions21 about his thoughts on how we can revitalise the British Trade Union Movement. Plus clips from strike rallies in support of Alternative Futu…

1
Episode 18 November 2018 29:50

6y ago29:50

29:50

Featuring interviews with Ralph Darlington, Professor of Industrial Relations at Salford University Business School, who discusses an alternative view of the TUC's history, and CJ Grimes, digital campaign expert and architect of the US Fightfor$15 campaign. Music by Podington Bear used with a creative commons license. Presented by James Bull…

1
Organising To Win October 2018 25:41

6y ago25:41

25:41

This month, James Bull speaks to 'We Own It' founder Cat Hobbs about privatisation and public ownership, UNISON Knowsley Branch activists Paula Carlysle and James Robinson about their successful campaign to prevent the outsourcing of social care services, and we hear from the pickets at Bolton Hospital where domestics, porters, catering and mainten…

1
Episode 16 - July 2018 25:02

6+ y ago25:02

25:02

In our July 2018 edition of Organising to Win, we speak to workers involved in the victorious campaign to stop the privatisation of 900 NHS jobs in Wigan about their experience of taking industrial action and winning. Also in the 150th year since the TUC was founded, we interview TUC NW Regional Secretary Lynn Collins, TUC Deputy General Secretary …

1
Episode 15 - April 2018 17:41

6+ y ago17:41

17:41

In this episode, James Bull speaks to UNISON Assistant General Secretary Roger McKenzie about the union's journey to becoming an organising union, and discusses the ongoing pensions dispute in Universities with Universities and Colleges Union Regional Official Martyn Moss. Music by Podington Bear, used under a creative commons license.…

1
Organising To Win - February 2018 43:55

6+ y ago43:55

43:55

Featuring interviews with American union organiser Jono Shaffer and UNISON Stockport Local Government Branch environmental representative Don Naylor. UNISON NW Regional Secretary Kevan Nelson also reflects on the organising successes of 2017, and looks ahead to the challenges which may come our way this year. Music by Podington Bear used under a cr…

1
Episode 13 July 2017 - Disruptive Technologies 16:44

7+ y ago16:44

16:44

In our July episode, we consider how trade unions can tackle the issue of disruptive technology, artificial intelligence and the 'digitisation' and fragmentation of jobs using online platforms. James Bull speaks to Nigel Flanagan of UNIGlobal and Sarah Glenister of the Institute of Employment Rights. Music by Podington Bear, used under a creative c…

1
Organising To Win Episode 12 June 2017 - A manifesto for Labour Law 12:51

7+ y ago12:51

12:51

In this month's edition, James Bull talks to Sarah Glenister of the Institute of Employment Rights about their policy paper 'A manifesto for Labour Law', which informed the influential 2017 Labour Party manifesto. Music by Podington Bear used under a creative commons license.By UNISON North West

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