Dan and Zack spoke with Sam Wallman a comics-journalist, cartoonist and labour activist and dock worker with the Maritime Union of Australia. The guys discuss Sam’s background, his book Our Members Be Unlimited: A Comic about Workers and their Unions, and the role art can play in our union campaigns.
In June of 2017 Dan and Mike had an opportunity to speak with Mick Doleman of the MUA while attending a ITF meeting in Cape Town South Africa. It was a rare occasion in which Mick shared his story of the sinking of the Blythe Star and the incredible story of survival that occurred in October of 1973. Since the time of the recording a shipwreck that had been located was formerly identified as the wreckage of the Blythe Star. On October 19 a memorial plaque to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Blythe star and the discovery of the vessel will be unveiled at Hobart Wharf in Tasmania.
Zack Pattin (ILWU Local 23) and Myka Dubay (ILWU Local 5 and ILWU International Executive Board) discuss their workshop from this year’s YWC Conference, “Weapons of the Boss: Racism and Anti-Trans Discrimination.” Zack walks us through the origins and context of the ILWU’s Ten Guiding Principles and Myka lays out the stakes of the current anti-trans backlash — and what it means for workers and our unions.
Some of the best conversations we can have are when we are invited in to the home of other working people to share stories. My self and ILWU Canada President Emeritus Tom Dufresne got to sit and chat with now retired General Secretary of the Grain Services Union in Saskatchewan Hugh Wagner. Its was an honour to talk with Hugh about his 48 years in the trade union movement, his politics and the role it played in is work, some history of the labour movement in Saskatchewan and hear some advice from Tom from one pensioner to another.
Dan is joined by documentary film maker Mark Street, and Maureen Gutierrez, an ILWU worker who appears on marks new project Work songs.
Work Songs is a kaleidoscopic portrait of the United States at work. Through interviews and observational footage Work Songs explores how various workers find meaning in their jobs.
OUT MAY 1! Celebrate May Day by watching Work Songs by Mark Street. Get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/watchworksongs
Dan and returning guest host Skiff are joined by Patrick Machel and Rob Salgado from ILWU Local 6. We talk about organizing Anchor Steam Brewing as well as some of ILWU Local 6 new and ongoing campaigns. This one is fun.
ILWU International Secretary Treasurer Ed Ferris returns to the show. Dan and Ed talk about climate change, the upcoming U.S. elections, and ILWU Young Workers.
ILWU International President Willie Adams returns to the show to talk about COVID-19, and how the ILWU is adapting. We also get a few general updates on some ILWU issues and discuss political action and the importance of the upcoming U.S. elections. Brother Willie shares some thoughts he has for the rank and file in this strange time.
Dan is joined by ITF Maritime Coordinator Jacqueline Smith to discuss the affect COVID-19 is having on the maritime industry around the world.
Dan talks with Christy Slusarenko, Vice President of MoveUp. Christy talks about how she got involved in the union movement, and how the current COVID-19 situation is affecting the workers she represents.
Dan is joined by Stephen von Sychowski, President of the Vancouver and District Labour Council. Dan and Stephen talk about the VDLC, its function, affiliates, and the work they are doing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dan is joined by Joe DeManuelle-Hall from Labor Notes. They discuss the organizing tools and education Labor Notes provides as well as what it’s like to be a New Yorker during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Neal Adolph from the United Way of the Lower Mainland joins Dan to talk about the United Way, building community power and discussing what the new reality might be after COVID-19.
ILWU Canada Organizer Genevieve Lorenzo talks with us about organizing in the strange times we are currently in.
Zack Pattin co-hosts this conversation with historians Peter Cole, author of Dockworkers Power: Race and Activism in Durban and the San Francisco Bay Area, and Aaron Goings, co-editor of The Red Coast: Radicalism and Anti-Radicalism in Southwest Washington. We go deep into the histories of the Wobblies and the ILWU, race and technology on the waterfront, the struggle for a free South Africa, and much, much more.
David Grey-Donald, Publisher of Briarpatch Magazine has a quick chat with Dan about media and labour live from the RWDSU convention.
Jorgen Gullestrup from Mates in Construction joins Dan and past guest Jessica. Mates in Construction is a charity established in 2008 to reduce the high level of suicide among Australian construction workers. We talk about the work they do and the importance of recognizing mental health issues in the work place.
Jen Savage, President of the Vancouver Local of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers returns to the show. We talk about how the labour dispute two years ago lead to the current situation, public perception, the Liberal government attack on bargaining rights and more.
Paul Finch BCGEU Secretary Treasure and Brian Skiffington from ILWU Local 23 Young Workers Committee discuss their respective campaigns on housing affordability and tenants rights.
This November marks the 100 year anniversary of the Inland Boatmen's Union. At the last ILWU International convention, Steph had a chance to talk to returning guest Stefan Mueller-Domobis of the IBU Southern California and retired IBU Portland member Joe Maresh about this milestone.
Dan has a very quick talk with Christine Bro, Lead Organizer for SEIU Local 2. These workers have been laid off due to contract flipping and have been blackballed by the new contractor for belonging to a union.
After being welcomed by the Squamish first nation with songs, history and storytelling, we listen to Thomas Mayor, Branch Secretary of the Northern Territory branch of the Maritime Union of Australia, and advocate for the sacred Uluru Statement From the Heart. Thomas tells us about the struggles of Aboriginal and Torres Straight people in Australia as well as the work that went into creating the Uluru Statement, and his 12 month campaign to gain Voice, Treaty, Truth.
See www.1voiceuluru.org for more info
#uluru #ulurustatment #mua #ilwucanada #squamish #firstnations #aboriginal #torresstraitislanders
Dan is joined by a group of young dockers from all over Europe at the 2ndETF Young Dockers Meeting. They stood around a small table outside and shared some stories and ideas over a few beers.
We sit down for a good old fashion bullshit session with ILWU 23 Young worker Zack Pattin. Dan is his usual charming self and Steph didn’t realize that we were recording. We weren’t going to publish this one but, hey, why not?
Returning for the third (or is it the fourth?) time on the show we have a legend! Stevie Todd is back and this time, on the eve of his retirement, he gives us a bit of insight in to his lengthy career in the RMT. One thing is for sure, we don't think this is the last we'll hear from this bulldog!