"The stronger the union, the cooler the workplace." Interview with union educator Stirling Smith

"The stronger the union, the cooler the workplace." Interview with union educator Stirling Smith

Author: Eric Lee - LabourStart April 16, 2026 Duration: 10:59
The International Labour Organisation estimate that 70% of the world's workforce is now vulnerable to extreme heat. How is this affecting workers? What can unions do? We interviewed Stirling Smith, a trade union educator who has worked in many countries, and especially south Asia. He lived in India for four years where he worked for the ILO. He is active now in the Greater Manchester Hazards Centre. Support the show

For trade unionists, activists, and anyone curious about the forces shaping our workplaces, LabourStart: Where trade unionists start their day on the net. serves as a daily audio bulletin from the front lines of the global labour movement. Hosted by Eric Lee, this podcast draws directly from the vast network of the LabourStart website, a volunteer-driven resource that has been aggregating union news in dozens of languages since 1998. Each episode cuts through the noise to bring you the stories that matter: from successful organising drives and difficult strikes to legislative battles and the realities of workers' rights across different industries and borders. You'll hear updates on LabourStart's own online campaigning tools, which unions use to mobilise international solidarity, often leading to tangible victories. The conversation occasionally expands to reflect on broader themes of solidarity, featuring insights from global conferences and discussions on the strategic use of digital tools for collective action. This isn't just a summary of headlines; it's a focused look at the people and strategies driving change. Tune in to this essential podcast for a grounded, informed perspective on the ongoing fight for fair work, connecting local struggles to a worldwide movement.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 47

LabourStart: Where trade unionists start their day on the net.
Podcast Episodes
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Khaing Zar is President of the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM) and Treasurer of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Myanmar (CTUM). Forced into exile following the military coup d'etat in February 2021,…
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Interview with Ahmad Badawy, Egyptian trade union activist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Interview with Nick MacWilliam from Justice for Colombia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:20
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