Working Class History

Latest Episodes:

E90: [TEASER] Fireside Chat - Q&A Aug 30, 2024

Show notes

Preview of our first Fireside chat. To celebrate our 10th birthday on 30 July 2024, we launched a new series of discussion podcast episodes exclusively for our supporters on patreon. For the time being, as a trial, we are going to be releasing at least one bonus episode for patreon supporters every month.
By doing this, we hope to be able to grow our base of supporters on patreon. If we manage to grow our base of supporters, and increase the amount of support we get each month, then we will be able to devote more resources into producing and releasing more regular free podcast episodes.
To start off with, we will have a series of discussion episodes called Fireside chats. Our first Fireside chat is one where two of our hosts, John and Matt, answer questions from patreon supporters, listeners and readers, about the WCH project, and us.
To listen to the full episode, and help us make more regular podcast episodes freely available for everyone, join us on patreon at https://patreon.com/workingclasshistory
This episode is at https://www.patreon.com/posts/e90-fireside-q-109107564
Acknowledgements

Thanks to our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Jamison D. Saltsman, Fernando López Ojeda and Jeremy Cusimano.
Edited by Tyler Hill
Episode graphic: General strike street scene, Madrid, 2012, courtesy Montecruz/Wikimedia Commons CC SA 2.0. Flame graphic from Vecteezy.
Our theme tune is Montaigne’s version of the classic labour movement anthem, ‘Bread and Roses’, performed by Montaigne and Nick Harriott, and mixed by Wave Racer. More from Montaigne: website, Instagram, YouTube

E89: Indigenous resistance since 1992, part 2 Aug 21, 2024

Show notes

Following on from his excellent book, 500 Years of Indigenous Resistance, Gord Hill of the Kwakwaka’wakw nation gives us an overview of over three decades of Indigenous resistance in the Americas since 1992. A podcast in two parts.
Our podcast is brought to you by our patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
This part covers Indigenous land defenders in Ecuador, Venezuela and elsewhere in Latin America, Mi’kmaq fishing rights, fossil fuel resistance, cultural resistance including language revitalisation, land acknowledgements and more.
More information

Gord Hill, 500 Years Of Indigenous Resistance – get hold of Gord’s book here in our online store.
WCH timeline of people’s history stories about Indigenous resistance
E88-89: Indigenous resistance episode webpage with full show notes

Acknowledgements

Thanks to our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Jamison D. Saltsman, Fernando López Ojeda and Jeremy Cusimano.
Produced and edited by Tyler Hill. Tyler also hosts Congratulations FM.
Episode graphic courtesy Wikimedia Commons CC SA 4.0
Our theme tune is Bella Ciao, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.

E88: Indigenous resistance since 1992, part 1 Aug 07, 2024

Show notes

Following on from his excellent book, 500 Years of Indigenous Resistance, Gord Hill of the Kwakwaka’wakw nation gives us an overview of over three decades of Indigenous resistance in the Americas since 1992. A podcast in two parts.
Our podcast is brought to you by our patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
This part covers protests against the 500th anniversary of the European invasion of the Americas by Christopher Columbus, the Zapatista uprising, the Gustafsen Lake stand-off, the Ipperwash Park occupation, Enbridge and Keystone XL pipeline resistance, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and more.
More information

Gord Hill, 500 Years Of Indigenous Resistance – get hold of Gord’s book here in our online store.
WCH timeline of people’s history stories about Indigenous resistance
E88-89: Indigenous resistance episode webpage with full show notes

Acknowledgements

Thanks to our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Jamison D. Saltsman, Fernando López Ojeda and Jeremy Cusimano.
Produced and edited by Tyler Hill. Tyler also hosts Congratulations FM.
Episode graphic: Dakota access protest 2016. Courtesy Rob87438/Wikimedia Commons CC SA 4.0
Our theme tune is Bella Ciao, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.

E87: Class struggle in Palestine, part 2 Jun 12, 2024

Show notes

Part 2 of our double-episode podcast about workers' struggles in Palestine during the British Mandate (1920-48). In this episode, we cover the Palestinian labour movement during World War II, new Palestinian workers’ organisations, the split (along national lines) in the Palestine Communist Party, joint struggles by Arab and Jewish workers, war and the Nakba.
Our podcast is brought to you by our patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory.
In this episode, we spoke to Palestinian scholar and activist, Leena Dallasheh. Her research focuses on the history of Palestine/Israel, with a particular interest in Palestinians who became citizens of Israel in 1948. For more info on Leena and her research, you can check her website.
Be sure to also check out 'Falastin: A Digital Monument' by Collecteurs, of which these episodes are a part.
More information, including sources, further reading, images and eventually a transcript are on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e86-87-class-struggle-in-palestine/
Acknowledgements

Thanks to our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Jamison D. Saltsman, Fernando López Ojeda and Jeremy Cusimano.
Edited by Tyler Hill
Episode graphic: public domain/Library of Congress.
Our theme tune is Bella Ciao, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here

E86: Class struggle in Palestine, part 1 May 30, 2024

Show notes

First of a double podcast about workers' struggles in Palestine during the British Mandate (1920-48). In this episode we cover the Balfour Declaration and establishment of the British Mandate, the campaign for 'Hebrew Labour', a number of workers' organisations like the Palestinian Arab Workers' Society (PAWS) and the Palestine Labour League (PLL), as well as the 1936-39 Great Palestinian Revolt.
Our podcast is brought to you by our patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
In this episode, we spoke to Palestinian scholar and activist, Leena Dallasheh. Her research focuses on the history of Palestine/Israel, with a particular interest in Palestinians who became citizens of Israel in 1948. For more info on Leena and her research, you can check her website.
Be sure to also check out 'Falastin: A Digital Monument' by Collecteurs, of which these episodes are a part.
More information, photos, suggested reading, sources, and eventually a transcript are on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e86-87-class-struggle-in-palestine/
Acknowledgements

Thanks to our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Jamison D. Saltsman, Fernando López Ojeda and Jeremy Cusimano.
Edited by Tyler Hill
Episode graphic: public domain/Library of Congress.
Our theme tune is Bella Ciao, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.

E85: [TEASER] May Day with Upstream May 02, 2024

Show notes

Teaser extract from an episode exclusively for our patreon supporters. Episode produced by Upstream in conversation with John from Working Class History talking about the history of May Day, International Workers’ Day, from its modern origins in Chicago in 1886, to its mediaeval roots, and its relevance today.
Our podcast is brought to you by our patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
Made exclusively for Upstream’s patreon supporters, we are happy to be able to share it with our patreon supporters as well. Listen to the full episode without adverts here:

E85: May Day with Upstream on patreon

More information

Check out Upstream at upstreampodcast.org
Support Upstream on patreon at patreon.com/upstreampodcast.
Learn more about the history of May Day in this book in our online store: The Incomplete, True, Authentic, And Wonderful History Of May Day by Peter Linebaugh
Learn more about the 1886 strike and other mass strikes in US history in this book: Strike! by Jeremy Brecher.
Check out our May Day posters and merch here in our online store: https://shop.workingclasshistory.com/collections/all/may-day

Episode webpage for show notes here on our website: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e85-may-day-with-upstream/

Introducing On This Day in Working Class History: A new daily podcast from WCH Jan 30, 2024

Show notes

Introducing a brand-new daily podcast from the team at WCH. On This Day in Working Class History will be a brief reminder each morning of our collective struggles for a better world which have taken place on this date in history.
Launching on 1 February on a trial basis, each episode will be just a couple of minutes long, highlighting one anniversary from our archive each day. It’s designed to fit into your morning schedule, alongside news headlines, and to be shared on social media with your friends, colleagues and families.
Subscribe
Listen and subscribe to this podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Links to a few major apps here:
Apple podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Podbean | PodcastAddict | RSS
Acknowledgements

Edited by Working Class History.
Theme music by Ricardo Araya. Check out his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@peptoattack

Learn more at https://workingclasshistory.com/blog/new-podcast-coming-soon-on-this-day-in-working-class-history/
Our work is only possible because of support from you, our listeners on patreon. If you appreciate our work, please join us and access exclusive content and benefits at https://patreon.com/workingclasshistory.

E84: Angry Brigade, part 2 Jan 18, 2024

Show notes

Second in a double podcast about the Angry Brigade, Britain’s first home-grown urban guerrilla group, in the 1960s and 70s, in conversation with John Barker, who was put on trial as part of the group.
Our podcast is brought to you by our patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
Continuing our recent series of episodes about the UK in the 1970s, this is a re-edited, improved and re-released version of our episodes 2-3. It contains numerous additional audio clips, and written narrative to provide context and more information.
More information

Gordon Carr, The Angry Brigade: A History Of Britain’s First Urban Guerilla Group (PM Press, 2010) – a detailed history of the Angry Brigade.
The Angry Brigade 1967-1984: Documents And Chronology (Active Distribution) – a pamphlet containing a detailed chronology of the organisation and the scene of which it was a part, as well as documents produced by the group
The Angry Brigade: The Spectacular Rise And Fall Of Britain’s First Urban Guerilla Group – a DVD documentary by Gordon Carr on the history of the group.
John Barker, Futures (PM Press, 2014) – novel by John Barker set in Thatcher’s Britain.
Timeline of Stories about the Angry Brigade
TheHarrier.net – John Barker’s website including his other books and writings.
Anselm Jappe, Guy Debord (PM Press, 2018) – the best biography of Situationist intellectual Guy Debord.
Red Army Faction books – a collection of books about the German RAF.
John Barker’s radical London playlist – a collection of tracks which Brigaders were listening to at the time.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Jamison D. Saltsman and Fernando López Ojeda.
Edited by Tyler Hill
Theme tune is ‘Bella Ciao’, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.

More information, sources, and eventually a transcript on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e83-4-angry-brigade/

E83: Angry Brigade, part 1 Jan 10, 2024

Show notes

Double podcast about the Angry Brigade, Britain’s first home-grown urban guerrilla group, in the 1960s and 70s, in conversation with John Barker, who was put on trial as part of the group.
Our podcast is brought to you by our patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
Continuing our recent series of episodes about the UK in the 1970s, this is a re-edited, improved and re-released version of our episodes 2-3. It contains numerous additional audio clips, and written narrative to provide context and more information.
More information

Gordon Carr, The Angry Brigade: A History Of Britain’s First Urban Guerilla Group (PM Press, 2010) – a detailed history of the Angry Brigade.
The Angry Brigade 1967-1984: Documents And Chronology (Active Distribution) – a pamphlet containing a detailed chronology of the organisation and the scene of which it was a part, as well as documents produced by the group
The Angry Brigade: The Spectacular Rise And Fall Of Britain’s First Urban Guerilla Group – a DVD documentary by Gordon Carr on the history of the group.
John Barker, Futures (PM Press, 2014) – novel by John Barker set in Thatcher’s Britain.
Timeline of Stories about the Angry Brigade
TheHarrier.net – John Barker’s website including his other books and writings.
Anselm Jappe, Guy Debord (PM Press, 2018) – the best biography of Situationist intellectual Guy Debord.
Red Army Faction books – a collection of books about the German RAF.
John Barker’s radical London playlist – a collection of tracks which Brigaders were listening to at the time.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Jamison D. Saltsman and Fernando López Ojeda.
Edited by Tyler Hill
Theme tune is ‘Bella Ciao’, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.

More information, sources, and eventually a transcript on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e83-4-angry-brigade/

E82: Workmates collective Nov 02, 2023

Show notes

Podcast episode about the Workmates collective, a rank-and-file initiative on the London Underground using unofficial direct action and workplace assemblies to fight privatisation in the late-1990s/early 2000s.
Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Sign up and get access to exclusive content and benefits at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
In this episode, we speak to Andy Littlechild, a former London Underground worker and activist with the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) union. He explains how the Labour government introduced privatisation to the Underground, how the Workmates mass meetings began, the start of the Workmates delegate council, the 'Job-and-Knock' dispute, and the eventual demise of the 'Public Private Partnership'.

E82.1 bonus episode: Andy discusses the politics of anarcho-syndicalism and their influence on his organising. He also tells us about a failed attempt by London Underground management to sack him for his workplace activism
More information about this episode, including sources, images, links, and eventually a transcript on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e82-workmates-collective/Learn more in our exclusive bonus episode, coming soon for our patreon supporters.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Jamison D. Saltsman and Fernando López Ojeda.
Episode graphic: reworked image originally by Matt Buck (CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed)
Edited by Jesse French
Theme tune is 'Bella Ciao', thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.

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