The Unions21 Podcast Unions 21

In the new Unions21 podcast, James Morris, MD at global comms/PR firm Edelman, shares his thoughts on how unions can maximise political influence – a key concern given the General Election result.  What he has to say could,  depending on your own views, delight and alarm in equal measure. What are the issues that both unite us and have traction? How can we use social media to best effect (hint:  it’s not all about likes and retweets)? What’s the right relationship with non-Labour trade union networks?  Will the Tories who broke down Labour’s “red wall” make any positive difference? You can read James’s blog here, and access all Unions21 podcasts here.  With Becky Wright and Simon Sapper. Sound recording by Henry Skewes. A Makes You Think production.

The Change Challenge is sometimes defined as knowing things have to be different but not how to make them so.  Trade unions and other membership organisations often find the appetite for change in a “light bulb” moment usually accompanied by some kind of organisational crisis – the same point at which many are running for cover under well-worn security blankets. 
Yet if the only thing that is inevitable and constant is change, how can unions make it work both for their organisation and their members?
In the new Unions21 podcast, Beckyand Simon discuss all this and more with change experts and gurus Betsy Dillner, Principle Director of the Social Change Agency,  and Dean Rogers, Director of Industrial Strategy at the Society of Radiographers.  Dean’s case study involves the National Association of Probation Officers
If you have examples of change initiatives in your organisation, we’d love to hear about it:  info@unions21.org.uk. 
The Unions21 podcast is a Makes-You-Think production.  Music by the Computer Music All Stars, used on a Creative Commons.
Access all episodes here.

In the latest @unions21 podcast, @beckyunions21 and @simonsapper talk with @JohnForth and @MathiasA about union organising models - specifically why unions are in the grip of a  #costdisease, what that means, how it can be detected and what can be done about it. This coincides with the publication of our new paper, downloadable from the Unions21 site - and where you will also be able to complete our special podcast survey.  Music is by the Computer Music Allstars, used on a Create Commons Licence. A Makes-You-Think production.

We want to know how the Unions21 podcast makes you feel!  Here is your chance to tell us what you like, what you want and what you need to keep on listening and sharing. To access the survey click here Visit www.unions21.org.uk/podcasts to access all our episodes!

The 2019 Unions21 Conference showcased a veritable powerhouse of ideas and experiences on the most pressing issues facing the labour movement today – how to make the future of work one in which artificial intelligence and digital transformation are our servants and not masters. The  panelists and speakers captured in this special episode, in order of appearance, and for your listening pleasure, are:
Sue Ferns, Chair of Unions 21 and Senior Deputy General Secretary, Prospect
Ivanna Bartoletti, Women Leading in AI and Chair, Fabian Women’s Network
Gill Dix, Head of Workplace Policy, ACAS
Anthony Painter, RSA Action and Research Centre
Natasha Kizzie, Google LCS UK, Industry Manager Government
Christina Colclough, UNi Global Union
Anthony Hayes, TUC
Alison Charlton, Digital Marketing Manager, Unison
Becky Wright, Executive Director, Unions 21
Dean Rogers, Assistant General Secretary, NAPO
Prof Mel Simms, University of Glasgow
To find out more, click on the links above, but you can also listen to Christina Colclough’s podcast here, and find out more about the Australian Fair Wage Anthony Hayes referred to here. Anthony’s case study was the Australian Hospitality Workers’ Digital Union We’re also happy to give a shameless plug for Mel Simms’ new book.
All the Unions21 podcasts can be accessed here.
Our thanks to everyone who came to the conference in any and every capacity.  Sign up for the Unions 21 newsletter and please download, stream, share, review, rate – but above all, enjoy.
Our photo shows (from l to r) Natasha Kizzie,  Anthony Hayes, Becky Wright and Christina Colclough at the conference. Credit D Robertson.
A Makes You Think production.

In this special episode, Simon meets the team from Thompsons solicitors, to talk about their work on behalf of unions and their members.  Joined by Lorna Webster, Linda Millband and Tom Jones, the discussion takes in some key campaigns – Patients before Profits (the medical negligence represented by mesh implants), Asbestos Past But Present (justice for those suffering with often fatal asbestos-related diseases), Small Claims – Big Impact (trying to avert changes to small claims cases that will adversely affect claimants) and #Feeding FatCats (seeking more responsibility and accountability from insurance companies). 
If you’re a Unions21 stakeholder or supporter and have a good story to share, please let us know!  Info@unions21.org.uk.
 
A Makes-You-Think production.