What do rank and file Health Workers think about new policy settings as Omicron runs roughshod over the eastern seaboard, SA and NT? Are health unions, and those of other essential workers, considering more dramatic action as pressure on workers increases? We speak to industrial relations reporter and health care organiser Sarah Hathway. 

Stick Together

Health Care Crisis in Omicron Wave

Is the Federal Government's 'plan' fit for purpose with the omicron variant of covid spreading like wild fire across Australia? We hear from the ACTU, the Aged Care Sector and the Earlier Educators.

The Federal Government, Essential Workers & Covid Response

This is part one of a series exploring the Australian education system as we hear from educators and others from across the country, in this episode we chat to Ben who has been a teacher in both Victoria and Western Australia about some of the challenges for teachers. 

Education Across Australia - Part 1

Today we are going to hear from Virginia Eubanks from the University of Albany in America as she talks about her book: Automating Inequality: How High-Tech Tools Profile, Police, and Punish the Poor. It has particular interest in Australia because of the Federal Governments love affair with similar systems as it pushes to automate our social security system.

AI value free?

In today's episode we chat with Daniel Randall, Union member and transport worker on the Public Transport system in London. I met Daniel during discussions about public tranport's role in the climate emergency at the COP26 People's Summit. I learnt the most extraordinary thing: the London rail system relies on tickets sales because the government does not see it as an essential service. Is this the future?

The Future of Public Transport?

Unlike teachers, whom at the very least receive a lip-service of support for their critical work, education support workers (ES) are chronically undervalued and unrecognised. As the Victorian Branch of the Australian Education Union fights for a new industrial agreement we speak with an ES staff member and unionist with experience in both the public and private sectors. 

Education Support - Revealing Invisible Workers

Today we continue the discussion around the rise of casualization which is destroying Australian society.We go to a NTEU rally that was held outside a mansion bought by Melbourne University for their Vice Chancellor to live in at the cost of $7.1 million dollars while the University persists in paying academics at casual rates on insecure contracts with the depressing move to cut the rates of pay of phd graduates and pay outs for wage theft. An interesting element at the rally was the inclusion of speakers from the blue collar union the United Workers Union fresh from a victory at Toll kmart Warehouses who were facing the same issues of insecure work and below inflation wage increases and conditions cuts - a situation which in real terms equals a pay cut at the same time that the employers have received win fall profits coming out of the pandemic. 

Casualisation : Business Model or a Cancer?

Today we hear from a worker at RMIT who has been part of a long running campaign to win back over $10 million in unpaid wages to RMIT staff. The NTEU has been working with mostly casual staff to reach a settlement with the university of years of unpaid wages.

RMIT casuals win campaign for unpaid wages

Today we hear  about the successful strike action taken by Country Road Warehouse workers for wage parity and job security earlier this month. We follow with a look at the star of the South Wind Farm project which is endorsed by both the ETU and the MUA. 

Country Road & Star of the South

Today we speak with a different type of worker. No one pays Emma or anyone else from Blockade Australia for the work they've put in to shut down the world's largest coal port in Newcastle Australia. We spoke to her about the action, which ran from the 8th-18 November, and it's importance to workers across the country. Plus, of course, some union news. 

Blockade Australia and Unwaged Work in Newcastle

Today we hear about a decision from the Fair Work Commission which may pave the way for fair wages in the agricultural industry.

Farm Worker Win

The AUKUS agreement impact in Australia

Today we look at the importance of placing workers in the centre of a just transition to combat climate change. We hear from Colin Long the Just Transition Organiser at the Victorian Trades Hall and Luke Skinner from the Climate Justice Union and an organiser for the United Workers Union in Western Australia.

Climate Change, Jobs and Living Incomes

This week on Stick Together Jackson is joined by Josh Sankey, high school teacher and AEU organiser at Albert Park College. With students returning to face-to-face learning after 200+ days of remote education, Josh describes how school staff are feeling about returning to the classroom. Also discussed in the ongoing AEU VGSA dispute, with school staff taking protected industrial action from October 18th. 

AEU and Return to School in Victoria

Today we look at the AUKUS deal and how two Unions have voiced their opposition to Australia jumping in bed with the nuclear fanfare of the Federal Liberal National Government.

AUKUS Bad for Workers

Australia's only national radio show focusing on industrial, social and workplace issues. Distributed nationally on the Community Radio Network.

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Stick Together

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