'Mon The Workers

by Scottish Trades Union Congress

Season 3

The future of Grangemouth Oil Refinery and how it plays into Scotland's Just Transition

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

S3 · E5

Apr 4, 2024

29:36

The fight for free school meals in Scotland with STUC Women's Committee

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

S3 · E4

Jan 9, 2024

19:05

What are the pressures facing care workers? Why was the National Care Service bill postponed? With GMB and STUC

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.

S3 · E3

Sep 20, 2023

17:09

Why Workers Deserve to get Home Safely with the Musicians Union and Unite the Union

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

S3 · E2

Mar 8, 2023

20:44

How the Public Rallied Together to Support Striking Workers with Southside Strike Solidarity and the CWU

Explicit

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 info@stuc.org.uk

S3 · E1

Feb 14, 2023

23:34

Season 2

'Mon the Workers Interview: How to Effectively Organise with Claire Peden

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.

S2 · E10

Sep 19, 2022

13:20

'Mon the Workers Interview: Xabier Villares & the Gig Economy

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.

S2 · E9

Sep 14, 2022

18:07

'Mon the Workers Interview: Eilis O’Keefe & Better than Zero campaign in Cineworld

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.

S2 · E8

Aug 29, 2022

9:04

'Mon the Workers Interview: Caroline Baird & Freedom from Fear

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.

S2 · E7

Aug 23, 2022

12:09

'Mon the Workers Interview: Tam Dewar & CWU Campaigns in Royal Mail

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.

S2 · E6

Aug 15, 2022

11:32

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