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Labournauts Podcast

At Labournauts Podcast we talk about labour news, politics and whatever else strikes our fancy. From a West Coast perspective
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Now displaying: 2017
Dec 20, 2017

Just one year after the Supreme Court of Canada decision to restore bargaining rights to the British Columbia Teachers Federation, Glen Hansman -President of the BCTF, sits with Sussanne and Carlos to unpack the ripple effects 16 years of BC Liberal governments have had on the public education system in BC, how School Districts are handling the current teacher shortages, the importance of SOGI education in High Schools and what the future may look like as education sector unions get ready to bargain with a new Provincial Government.


 
Dec 2, 2017

Sussanne spends the afternoon hanging out with Lisa Langevin from IBEW 213 talking all things “women in trades”, Lisa sits as an executive member with Build Together BC where she promotes, supports and mentors women in the skilled construction trades.

Joining us to talk about their individual experiences as women working in non-traditional jobs are: Julie Sawatsky BCRCC, Julia Ballantyne UA516 and Ashley Duncan IAHFIAW. Listen in as they share their personal stories along with advice to new women looking to the Trades as a career.  

To learn more about “Build Together” check out http://buildtogether.ca/

 

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Nov 16, 2017

Sussanne is joined by BC Government and Service Employees Union Director Doug Dykens to discuss a recent trip he took to Morocco for an organizing forum. The group Doug was a part of traveled to Morocco this fall to meet with workers and social justice groups to learn about the political climate and the context of unionization in the country.  

We hope you enjoy Doug’s stories about the cultural awakening in Morocco, the treatment of political prisoners and the progress being made around both Human and Woman’s Rights. 

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Nov 3, 2017

Sussanne and Carlos are joined by outgoing BC Building Trades President Lee Loftus. 

The good times, the scattered times and the times to come - these three discuss everything from the history behind BC Building Trades, Lee’s roots in the movement, the importance of health and safety regulations and why it’s important to attract diverse workers to the trade sector. 

Follow Lee on twitter @LoftusLee and if you haven’t already please follow us on Twitter and Instagram @labournauts

Oct 18, 2017

With the topic of Electoral Reform becoming more and more relevant both Provincially in British Columbia and Nationally across Canada, the Labournauts thought the timing was right to sit down with Alex Hemingway, Public Finance Policy Analyst from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Alex and Carlos do their best to unpack and explain what a change to our voting system could look like, the potential challenges policy changes like this one could create and some of the recent history this topic has in British Columbia. 

Oct 5, 2017

Sussanne joins Delta school board trustee and musqueum community activist Rhiannon Bennett and BC Federation of Labour indigenous workers rep Shelley Saje Ricci join sussanne to talk about the March for Reconciliation, inequality, white supremacy and moving reconciliation into “reconciliACTION

Sep 20, 2017

Ana Avendaño, Vice President of Labour Participation at United Way Worldwide joins Carlos to talk about community. From her work in Workers Action Centres to being the AFL-CIO Assistant to the President for Immigration and Community Action it's clear that Ana has a passion for her community. She provides some first hand perspective on what Washington, D.C. looks like with Trump as President, the ripple effect this administration is having on community and how the United Way & Labour are stepping up to make a better America for all.

 

Sep 2, 2017

BC MLA Ravi Kahlon joins Carlos to talk about his experiences as a Olympian, the important work he's now doing as the Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Multiculturalism in British Columbia, and why Labour Day is important to Ravi, his Family and all British Columbians. 

 

Aug 23, 2017

Labounauts regular Adrienne Smith joins Sussanne Skidmore and Carlos To talk about all things "Pride" related. 

This episode navigates through the good and not so good parts of being a activist in today's political landscape. We talk about Sussanne's experiences as she travels across Canada taking part in Pride Marches as well as Adrienne's recent experiences dealing with hate speech directed at them after being the spokesperson in a video posted on Facebook. 

 

Aug 11, 2017

 

Enjoy this 3 in 1 bonus episode as Carlos occupies the BC Building Trades Council 19th Annual Charity Golf Tournament. 

First, Executive Director of the Build Trades Council, Tom Sigurdson sits down and gives us a brief history lesson on how this council came to be, as well as why it's so important that unions give back to the community. 

Next, Chris Lowe from Variety talks with Carlos about the important work his organization does to support children all over the world. 

Lastly, Bruce Verchere, Professor of Medicine at the University of British Columbia sheds some light on the work he and his team are doing to address child hood diabetes. Bruce also drops some knowledge on Carlos as he discusses some of the fascinating break throughs scientists are making with gene modification. 

Enjoy! And thanks for listening!!

Jul 26, 2017

Trevor Davies, Secretary Treasurer- Canadian Union of Public Employees British Columbia, joins Carlos to discuss all things Government at the BC Building Trades 19th Annual Golf Tournament.

Jul 12, 2017

It's the summer and we are posting one of our early epsiodes to give our hosts some time off. This is our episode 5. In this episode we are joined by Diane Irvine and Rachel Roy. They talk to us about Uber, privacy law in the internet age, and what it is like to be a progressive in law school. 

 

Hope you enjoy!

Like Rachel's firm on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AQWLaw

Jun 28, 2017

Shelina Merani, one of Canada's rising stand up comedian stars and Public Service Alliance of Canada Communications Specialist, sits down with Carlos to discuss her experiences as a Muslim comedian making a name for her self on the stand up scene.

Born in Kenya, raised in Calgary Shelina brings a unique perspective to the stage using humour to bridge serious topics with laughter and consideration. Recently invited to try out for America's Got Talent and now being featured in a CBC Documentary titled "Shelina: Stand Up!" Shelina is dynamic activist destined for greatness.

Jun 15, 2017

Episode 33 - "Attack on Vegreville" this episode takes off from Toronto as Carlos is joined by Crystal Warner, National Executive Vice President of the Canada Employment And Immigration Union and Michelle Henderson, NVP for Alberta/NWT/Nunavut CEIU to talk about Trudeau's ongoing attacks on going Vegreville, Alberta.

After campaigning on promises to respect  and support rural Canada, Trudeau's government has, without warning, decided to "relocate" the  IRCC office which processes temporary and permanent residency applications, studies permits and other immigration files away from rural Vegreville to Edmonton.

This decision has had a ripple effect across the small community of Vegreville  and these folks aren't backing down without a fight. Listen to Michelle and Crystal describe the challenges their members are facing and the effects this "relocation" would have on this small town.

Jun 2, 2017

We launch a special episode covering the recent decision made by the BC New Democratic Party and BC Green Party to sign a 4 year "Confidence and Supplying Agreement" likely making John Horgan the next Premier of British Columbia.

First time guest Rob Duffy, Sustainable Communities Initiative Coordinator and former Legislative Assistant, sits down with Carlos and Sussanne Skidmore, BCGEU Executive Vice President and former BC NDP MLA candidate, to discuss some of the key policies this agreement commits to, as well as next steps and possible outcomes as we wait and see what the BC Liberals decide to do next.

May 17, 2017

Ryan Cochrane is one of Canada's most decorated swimmers. With 2 Olympic Medals and 8 world championships in his rear view mirror Ryan sits down with Carlos to talk about where he's been and where he's heading.

At 28 years old Ryan has been labeled as "the Man who saved Canadian Swimming" by the CBC. He talks about the attitude and habits that made propelled him to becoming one of the worlds best swimmers; and how he plans on using those habits to continue to be successful as he transitions away from life as a professional athlete.

Apr 26, 2017

Episode 31 "Let's Talk Child Care" - The $10aDay Child Care Campaign grew out of partnership between the Early Childhood Educators of BC and the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC to create a affordable, accessible and quality child care system for British Columbians.

Carlos sits down with Sharon Gregson, spokesperson for the $10aDay campaign, to discuss the history of this campaign, how the plan works and why it has now become one of the key election issues politicians are now being forced to address.

Apr 12, 2017

Carlos explores the minimum wage as he interviews Canadian Centre For Policy Alternative's Senior Economist and Public Interest Researcher Iglika Ivanova.

Iglika and Carlos discuss the complexities of minimum wages, the real cost of having so many British Columbians working below the poverty line and how wages fit into the poverty reduction strategy proposed by groups such as the @Poverty Reduction Coalition.

Check out the work Iglika and the CCPA are doing @iglikaivanova and @ccpa or at policyalternatives.ca

Please follow, like and share

Sub on iTunes at https://goo.gl/4Ak8J6

Mar 29, 2017

Sussanne is joined by Amandeep Nijjar, Regional Representative from the Canadian Labour Congress and Stephanie Dobler, International Longshore and Warehouse Union Activist and @dockerpodcast team member.

These 3 talk about all things leadership. From Amandeep's experiences teaching women in leadership courses in Ottawa and BC to Stephanie's experiences being a young female leader in a male dominated work force, this episode is a great reminder of how important education and networking opportunities are to grow and groom a movement of activism.

Mar 15, 2017

Carlos interviews Steve Hunt,District 3 Director of the United Steelworkers

They cover how Steve got started in the movement, the importance of the upcoming provincial election and the launch of Tom Sandborn's book "Hell's History" which outlines the work USW has done to prevent workplace deaths and injuries after the Westray mine disaster in 1992.

Check out the work the USW is doing to make workplaces safe @steelworkers and also follow them on Twitter @USW_District_3

 

Mar 1, 2017

Carlos is joined by Tiffany Binder and Patricia Recinos, two organizers from the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organization. They discuss some of the challenges when organizing in a 'right to work' state as well as their opinions on the inauguration of President Trump.

Check out the work the AFL-CIO is doing at @aflcio

Feb 15, 2017

Sussanne is joined by  Sonia Singh from Labor Notes , a media and organizing organization, to discuss the strength of grass roots leadership and different organizing models being used in the United States.

Check out @labornotes to learn more about the work these folks do and please subscribe and rate the Labournauts Podcast

 

 

Feb 8, 2017

Gord Lechner, Director of the BC Federation of Labour Health and Safety Centre sits down with Carlos to discuss the work he and his team do all over British Columbia  as well as the new Workers Compensation Board Regulations regarding new mandatory education for Joint Health & Safety Committees.

Check out healthandsafetybc.ca for more news and updates about your rights as workers and upcoming training opportunities.

Feb 1, 2017

Episode 24 - RCMP Labour Liaison Sgt. Dave Smith sits down with Carlos and Dan Kask from the @thedockerpodcast to talk about the work he does as Canada's only RCMP/Labour Liaison.

We discuss the parts of Canadian and British Columbian Labour Code that apply to union members rights to leaflet, strike or rally as well as some of the misconceptions employers and/or unions may have regarding public demonstrations.

 

Jan 24, 2017

Michael Brunson, Secretary Treasurer for the Chicago Teachers Union sits down with Sussanne and Carlos to talk about his experience within the public education system in Chicago, organizing, and Trump's inauguration.

 

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