In the first episode of our new trade union organising podcast introduced by our regional convenor, Paula Barker, UNISON Assistant General Secretary Roger McKenzie describes his definition of union organising, and speakers at UNISON North West's Skills for Strength trade union convention give their top tips for building a stronger, more unionised workplace.

Music by Podington Bear used under a creative commons license.

Organising to Win Episode 1 - May 2016 - What is trade union organising?

The Trade Union Act 2016 poses huge challenges for the trade union movement, and represents a whole scale attack on collective workplace rights. In this programme, we look at how we can respond to these challenges, and examine the lessons of the DOCAS switch campaign pilots which preceded it. 

Organising To Win Episode 2 - June 2016: The Challenges of the Trade Union Act

In this month's episode, we speak to american trade unionist and academic Jane McAlevey, author of 'Raising Expectations and Raising Hell: My Decade Fighting for the Labour Movement', and find out how a group of UNISON NW activists won the campaign to bring privatised ambulance services back into the National Health Service, increasing trade union density at the same time. 

Organising To Win Episode 3 - July 2016: Jane McAlevey & NW Ambulance Campaign

This month, we speak to Irish trade unionist Ethel Buckley about effective ways to engage communities in trade union campaigns, and interview a group of UNISON activists from Calderstones Hospital about how they built the union in their workplace into a force that has won incredible improvements in terms and conditions for members. Music by Podington Bear, used under a creative commons license.

Organising To Win Episode 4 - August 2016: Ethel Buckley & Calderstones Interview

In this September 2016 edition of Organising to Win, Kevin Lucas speaks to Louise Chinnery and Dr. Richard Saundry about how we can best recruit and develop new activists, and Peter Urwin interviews homecare worker Judith Montgomery, who UNISON helped win a substantial payout after her employer failed to pay her the minimum wage.

Organising To Win Episode 5 - Developing New Activists / Homecare campaign

In this special social care edition of our monthly podcast, we take an in depth look at UNISON's ambitious new social care campaign, which aims to improve standards in the sector and tackle the mistreatment of workers providing vital support to people in our communities.

Episode 6 | October 2016 - Special Social Care Edition

In this November edition of our podcast, we explore the murky world of union busting and consider what activists can do to fight back against expensive and regressive tactics by employers to stop their staff pursuing independent, collective representation at work. Featuring music by Podington Bear used under a creative commons license.

Organising To Win Episode 7 November 2016 - Union Busting

In this December edition, we speak to Nigel Flanagan from UNI Global Union about power mapping, and hear from Julie Finnegan of UNISON's Oldham Local Government Branch where members have been fighting back against threats to their terms and conditions.

Organising To Win Episode 8 - December 2016

In our first episode of 2017, James Bull speaks to Neil Todd of Thompsons Solicitors about the implications of the new measures brought into law by the Trade Union Act 2016, which are due to come into force in March, and Kevin Lucas visits picket lines in Copeland where council workers are taking action against cuts to services and jobs.

Organising To Win Episode 9 - Trade Union Act / Copeland Strike (January 2017)

In our April episode, we speak to a group of teaching assistants from Derby who have been involved in an inspirational campaign to challenge a 25% wage cut, and interview author and documentary filmmaker Sarah Boston about her experience of battling sexism and building power for women in trade unions during the 1970s. Music by Podington Bear used under a creative commons license.

Organising To Win Episode 10 (April 2017)

We report from the Manchester Mayoral Hustings organised by CitizensUK, where UNISON challenged mayoral candidates on their commitment to social care, and James Bull speaks to CitizensUK's Furquan Naeem about how the organisation can help empower communities and workers around areas of common concern. Music by Podington Bear used under a creative commons license.

Organising To Win May 2017

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.

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

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 commons license.

Episode 13 July 2017 - Disruptive Technologies

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 creative commons license.

Organising To Win - February 2018

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.

Episode 15 - April 2018

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 Paul Nowak, and UNISON Assistant General Secretary Roger Mckenzie about how the trade union movement is marking this and other important anniversaries this year.

Episode 16 - July 2018

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 maintenance staff have won their campaign for NHS pay and conditions.

Organising To Win October 2018

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

Episode 18 November 2018

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 Futures Group care workers, who are taking action in protest against cuts to their wages. Theme music by Podington Bear used under a creative commons license.

March 2019

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 and how that ties in with their political beliefs and values.

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

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

The future is now - Interview with UNISON nursing representative Ian Mooney

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.

Organising to Win

Popular tracks