Ep 29: The 2022-3 Strike Wave in Britain

Labour Days: a labour movement podcast

Yes, we're back... did you miss us? No, we didn't think so. But, we're back anyway. The promised episode on Liam's book about James Connolly, which we teased back in January, is still in the pipeline, but we decided to just get back on the road with a loose discussion about the ongoing strike wave that's been taking place in Britain since summer 2022. With Ellie and Liam absent, you're stuck with Edd and Daniel, a duo of smug, irritating men who were in the podcast game long before Campbell/Stewart and Balls/Osborne. They chew over a few questions that have arisen in the strike wave, including strike tactics and strategy, the role of the law, the need for clear demands, and how we can develop independent rank-and-file organisation. Some background links for this episode: - "UK Workers Strike Back" (January 2023), an article by Daniel for the US socialist collective Tempest: https://www.tempestmag.org/2023/01/uk-workers-strike-back/ - A video presentation by Daniel based on the above article, hosted by the US socialist group Speak Out Now: https://youtu.be/_p5I2Zj66tc - The Washington Post article on the strike wave, featuring our very own Ellie Clarke (March 2023): https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/02/uk-strikes-inflation-pay/ "- On being in it for the long haul" (January 2023), an article from the Our Common Endeavour blog: https://medium.com/@ourcommonendeavour/on-being-in-it-for-the-long-haul-bd3c8100d0b7 - "On the dangers of ballot fatigue" (June 2023), ditto: https://medium.com/@ourcommonendeavour/on-the-dangers-of-ballot-fatigue-33412dcc9864 - You can also read regularly-updated analysis on the disputes on London Underground and the national rail, written by rank-and-file workers, on the Tubeworker and Off the Rails blogs: https://www.workersliberty.org/twblog https://www.workersliberty.org/blogs/rails - Daniel and Edd were both involved in the "Troublemakers' Conference" held in Manchester on 29 July, check out the project at: https://troublemakersat.work/ - We also recommend checking out the groups/networks/caucuses that have formed in various unions/sectors to mobilise opposition to dodgy deals and which we hope can develop into permanent rank-and-file networks: NHS Workers Say No: https://twitter.com/NurseSayNO Posties Say No: https://twitter.com/PostiesSayNo PCS Says No: https://twitter.com/PCSsayNo Educators Say No: https://twitter.com/educatorssayno The intro music is from 'Labor' by Aesop Rock (Definitive Jux, 2001). We do not hold the copyright for this music.