Episodes
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In this episode of 'Mon the Workers, we delve into the proposed closure of Scotland's iconic Grangemouth Oil Refinery. As the refinery faces the possibility of ceasing operations as soon as 2025, we explore the profound impact this decision will have on the local community and beyond.
With the refinery being a cornerstone of Scotland's industrial landscape for a century, its closure represents more than just the end of an era—it's a seismic shift with far-reaching consequences. From the loss of hundreds of jobs to the potential transformation of the site into a fuel import and export terminal, we dissect the complex web of factors contributing to this pivotal moment.
In this episode we are joined by Unite convener Chris Hamilton, Historian Ewan Gibbs and Co-Director of Future Economy Scotland Miriam Brett.
To sign up to the STUC Just Transition newsletter follow the link below:
http://eepurl.com/ive7yw
Hosted by Rachel Thomson and Karina Liptrot, and edited by Karina Liptrot. Follow us on social media by searching for @ScottishTUC
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In this episode of Mon the Workers, we delve into the critical issue of child poverty and universal free school meals in Scotland. Joined by Andrea Bradley, Chair of the STUC Women's Committee, and STUC Policy Officer Eireann McCauley, the discussion revolves around the impact of free school meals on pupils, the challenges faced by families in poverty, and the progress and frustrations of the ongoing campaign for universal provision. Andrea shares personal experiences as a former teacher, emphasising the need for a stigma-free approach. The episode explores the campaign's wins, challenges, and how listeners can support the cause.
Tune in for an insightful conversation on addressing child poverty and ensuring every child has access to nutritious meals.
For more about the campaign visit https://food4thought.uk/
Hosted by Karina Liptrot and Rachel Thomson
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Missing episodes?
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Welcome to another episode of 'Mon the Workers! In this episode, host Karina Liptrot chats with Cathy Russell, a dedicated GMB member and nurse working in a care home. Cathy sheds light on the pressing challenges facing care workers today, emphasising how persistent low wages are driving passionate and hardworking individuals to seek better pay elsewhere. Later in the episode, we're joined by Denise Christie from the STUC, who provides insight into the delayed National Care Service bill. She also discusses the collaborative efforts of the three major adult social care unions in the "Fair Care for Scotland." campaign, a crucial initiative aimed at addressing the issues faced by care workers.For further information about the campaign, please visit www.fair-care-scotland.com. Additionally, you can delve deeper into the topic by reading the eye-opening "Profiteering from Care" report, available at https://stuc.org.uk/files/Reports/Profiting-from-Care-Report.pdf. Stay engaged with us by subscribing to our podcast, and be sure to follow us on social media @ScottishTUC to stay updated on the latest developments.
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Hello and welcome back to another episode of 'Mon the Workers. In this episode we’re going to be speaking with trade unionists about getting home safely from work - public transport and why this is a feminist trade union issue.
Getting home safely is a major issue, affecting a wide range of workers, particularly in the entertainment industry where shifts often run late into the night. This issue is particularly of concern to women, with a recent Government study showing that nearly 60% of women say they do not feel safe when using public transport and a staggering 8 out of 10 of women reported that they felt unsafe waiting for a bus after dark.
With Dr Diljeet Bhachu from the Musicians Union, and Caitlin Lee from Unite the Union. To find out more about the Get Me Home Safely Campaign visit https://www.unitetheunion.org/campaigns/get-me-home-safely-campaign/
Hosted by by Karina Liptrot and Rachel Thomson, and edited by Karina Liptrot. To find out more about the STUC, visit our social media channels where our username is @ScottishTUC
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Welcome to season 3 of 'Mon the Workers. In this episode we sat down with CWU posties to discuss Southside Strike Solidarity, picket lines and THAT calendar 🔥
Our guests are Layla-Roxanne Hill from Southside Strike Solidarity, and Tony Gallagher and Ralph Drayton-Harold who are both postal workers and CWU members.
To find out more about Southside Strike Solidarity you can visit https://linktr.ee/glasgowsouthsidesolidarity and here is a list of organisations mentioned in the podcast if you'd like to support them:
https://www.milkcafeglasgow.co.uk/
https://www.livingrent.org/
https://www.rcn.org.uk/scotland/
Hosted by Karina Liptrot and Rachel Thomson and edited by Karina Liptrot. If you'd like a transcript of the podcast please email [email protected]
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In these special episodes of the podcast, we’ll be hearing from some of the people who spoke to Daniel Gray for the STUC book ‘Mon the Workers: Celebrating 125 Years of the Scottish Trades Union Congress. Published by Luath Press and available in all the usual places, it includes interviews with 75 trade unionists and portrait photographs of a further 50.
This time, we’re joined by Claire Peden. Having long been interested in workers’ rights, Claire attended a short union course and immediately became an activist. An organising role with the Bakers’ Union followed, and she helped mobilise fast food workers, not least when 2018’s ‘Beast from the East’ storm struck.
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In these special episodes of the podcast, we’ll be hearing from some of the people who spoke to Daniel Gray for the STUC book ‘Mon the Workers: Celebrating 125 Years of the Scottish Trades Union Congress. Published by Luath Press and available in all the usual places, it includes interviews with 75 trade unionists and portrait photographs of a further 50.
This time, our guest is Xabier Villares. Through his job as a delivery rider, Xabier saw the conditions that gig economy workers toil under, as he details here. He also describes his work with the Workers’ Observatory Project, which seeks to challenge conditions in self-employed work and considers the future role of trade unions.
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In these special episodes of the podcast, we’ll be hearing from some of the people who spoke to Daniel Gray for the STUC book ‘Mon the Workers: Celebrating 125 Years of the Scottish Trades Union Congress. Published by Luath Press and available in all the usual places, it includes interviews with 75 trade unionists and portrait photographs of a further 50.
This time, our guest is Eilis O’Keefe. As a student, Eilis worked at Cineworld. A sudden shift in working conditions led her to engage with the STUC’s Better Than Zero campaign and inspired continuing involvement with the trade union movement. Here she details her campaigning journey.
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Hello and welcome to 'Mon the Workers. In these special episodes of the podcast, we’ll be hearing from some of the people who spoke to Daniel Gray for the STUC book ‘Mon the Workers: Celebrating 125 Years of the Scottish Trades Union Congress. Published by Luath Press and available in all the usual places, it includes interviews with 75 trade unionists and portrait photographs of a further 50.
This time, we’re joined by Caroline Baird. Caroline began working for Tesco in 2007 and joined USDAW. She later became a rep and an enthusiastic champion of the Freedom From Fear campaign, which highlights the abuse of shopworkers by customers, and helped bring about a new protective law in Scotland, as we’ll now hear.
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In these special episodes of the podcast, we’ll be hearing from some of the people who spoke to Daniel Gray for the STUC book ‘Mon the Workers: Celebrating 125 Years of the Scottish Trades Union Congress. Published by Luath Press and available in all the usual places, it includes interviews with 75 trade unionists and portrait photographs of a further 50.
This time, we’re joined by Tam Dewar. Tam has been a union member all his working life. In the 1990s he became a postal worker and has taken part in a number of successful actions to protect conditions, culminating in the 2018 battle to save Royal Mail, which he details here. Tam also outlines what his union, the CWU, has been doing to appeal to younger people.
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In these special episodes of the podcast, we’ll be hearing from some of the people who spoke to Daniel Gray for the STUC book ‘Mon the Workers: Celebrating 125 Years of the Scottish Trades Union Congress. Published by Luath Press and available in all the usual places, it includes interviews with 75 trade unionists and portrait photographs of a further 50.
This time, Catrina Randall joins us. Catrina works for Friends of the Earth Scotland and has seen what climate activists and trade unionists working together can achieve. Here she outlines their inspirational unity during in 2021’s COP26 event in Glasgow. Catrina begins with a look back at her family’s trade union heritage.
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In these special episodes of the podcast, we’ll be hearing from some of the people who spoke to Daniel Gray for the STUC book ‘Mon the Workers: Celebrating 125 Years of the Scottish Trades Union Congress. Published by Luath Press and available in all the usual places, it includes interviews with 75 trade unionists and portrait photographs of a further 50.
This time, we’re hearing from Satnam Ner. Prospect rep Satnam is a long-term member of the STUC Black Workers’ Committee. The St Andrew’s Day March they organise has become a key date in the trade union calendar, and an energetic presence in the fight against racism and fascism. Here he describes what it means to him and the wider movement.
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In these special episodes of the podcast, we’ll be hearing from some of the people who spoke to Daniel Gray for the STUC book ‘Mon the Workers: Celebrating 125 Years of the Scottish Trades Union Congress. Published by Luath Press and available in all the usual places, it includes interviews with 75 trade unionists and portrait photographs of a further 50.
This time, we’re joined by Keetah Konstant. As the STUC’s 125th year began, bartender Keetah was campaigning for better working conditions and union recognition in the hospitality industry. Colleagues at the Macmerry 300 chain of bars had begun collective action over issues common in that sector. Keetah also talked about the STUC’s Better Than Zero campaign, and began by outlining her own entry to the world of unions.
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In these special episodes of the podcast, we’ll be hearing from some of the people who spoke to Daniel Gray for the STUC book ‘Mon the Workers: Celebrating 125 Years of the Scottish Trades Union Congress. Published by Luath Press and available in all the usual places, it includes interviews with 75 trade unionists and portrait photographs of a further 50.
This time, we hear the words of Coll McCail. A young climate activist, Coll was galvanised by the Fridays For Future school strikes of 2019. COP26 – the UN Climate Change Conference, held in Glasgow in 2021 – saw him and his fellow activists come together with trade unionists, casting a template for united action. Here, Coll begins by relaying the inspirations behind his trade union principles.
Don't forget to follow us on social media @SocttishTUC.
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Welcome to 'Mon the Workers. In these special episodes of the podcast, we’ll be hearing from some of the people who spoke to Daniel Gray for the STUC book ‘Mon the Workers: Celebrating 125 Years of the Scottish Trades Union Congress. Published by Luath Press and available in all the usual places, it includes interviews with 75 trade unionists and portrait photographs of a further 50.
This time, we hear from Margot Russell. Though the miners’ strike of 1984 ended in defeat, there were victories of solidarity and organisation, and moments of lifechanging inspiration. Margot helped run a soup kitchen in Midlothian and like her friends volunteering there was politicised for life, and is still a local councillor today. Here, Margot begins her story at the point she began working.
Don't forget to follow us on social media at @ScottishTUC
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Welcome to Season 2 of ’Mon the Workers, a podcast brought to you by the Scottish Trades Union Congress. Today we’re speaking to Daniel Gray, author of the STUC’s new book, also named ’Mon the Workers, celebrating 125 years of the STUC.
Over the next few episodes Daniel will be interviewing a range of trade union activists in Scotland, discussing their experiences of trade unionism and the battles they’ve faced. From local workplace struggles to international solidarity campaigns, the interviews will weave together a diverse range of stories, straight from the workers who made it happen.
If you require the transcript please email [email protected]
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The postman and the primary teacher, the midwife and the musician. Workers in shops, workers at sea. Solidarity with the Columbian farmer and the Palestinian fireman…
Modern trade unionists in Scotland perform all types of role in every imaginable location and are drawn from all backgrounds. They campaign to win on issues facing the colleague next to them and a comrade thousands of miles away.
‘Mon the Workers lets them tell their stories, in their words. It is a celebration of 125 years of the STUC, and a clarion call for the next generation to agitate, organise and win.
‘Mon the Workers demonstrates past achievements, explores the ideas trade unionists have fought for and rouses the movement towards future victories. 75 trade union members, reps and officials tell short stories of union life from the anti-apartheid movement to Wick Wants Work. Their written portraits are accompanied by 50 charismatic documentary images of other, fellow trade unionists.
Surprising, amusing, touching and occasionally infuriating, this very human book pulsates with the heartbeat of the trade union movement which has achieved so much and still has more to do.
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Pre-order the book by visiting this link: https://www.luath.co.uk/product/mon-the-workers
Podcast hosted by Karina Liptrot and Rachel Thomson, and edited by Karina Liptrot. Don't forget to follow us on social media at @ScottishTUC.
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Welcome to episode 7 of 'Mon the Workers, in this episode we are commemorating International Women's Day by discussing gender equality, women’s trade union activism, misogyny and sexual harassment. We are joined by Selma Augestad, Andrene Bamford and Julie Ferguson from EIS. We also cover the Silence is Compliance report on sexual harassment by the STUC Women's Committee.
Listen via:
🎧Apple: https://apple.co/3CNSPDd
🎧Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3qczXsv
Episode notes:
1000 Women's Voices: https://www.eis.org.uk/Gender-Equality/IWD2021
Poster Series: https://twitter.com/EISUnion/status/1501583360866635780/photo/1
Silence is Compliance Report: https://stuc.org.uk/files/Policy/Research-papers/STUC_REPORT1.pdf
For a copy of the transcript please email [email protected]
Hosted and edited by Karina Liptrot. Follow us at @ScottishTUC
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Welcome back to another episode of 'Mon the Workers. In this episode, Euan and Karina will be taking a step back from their usual presenter roles, as we will be hearing from Trans and LGBTQ+ activists on the topic of the Gender Recognition Act – or as you may know it – the GRA.
With Ciorstaidh Reichle, current chair of the STUC LGBT+ Committee.
Hosted by Karina Liptrot and Euan McLaren, and edited by Karina Liptrot.
www.stuc.org.uk
@ScottishTUC
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Welcome back! We kick off the new year by speaking with union activist and hospitality worker, Keetah Konstant, Unite Hospitality organiser, Bryan Simpson and Better than Zero coordinator, Tam Wilson around the #MacMerry dispute.
Tune in for more information around the ongoing dispute, and to see how you can organise and fight back with your co-workers. Find out more by looking up @FairHospitality and @BetterThanZero on Twitter.
Hosted by Euan McLaren and Karina Liptrot, and edited by Karina Liptrot.
Don't forget to follow @ScottishTUC on all social media.
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On this episode of 'Mon the Workers we are joined by Tony Slaven, Vice Chair of the STUC Disabled Workers' Committee and Helen Auld, Scotland Vice President of NASUWT.
Helen and Tony talk about their own experience of living with invisible disabilities, neurodivergence and mental health, and what people can do to help raise awareness of the impact of living with a hidden disability.
Hosted by Karina Liptrot and Euan McLaren and edited by Karina Liptrot. Don't forget to follow us at @ScottishTUC on social media.
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