Working Class History

Latest Episodes:

WCL15: Literature of the 1926 General Strike Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

As part of our work to mark the centenary of the UK's 1926 general strike, we sat down with with Charles Ferrall and Dougal McNeill, authors of the excellent Writing the 1926 General Strike: Literature, Culture, Politics to talk about some of the literature texts produced in response to the strike, both from established authors and emerging working-class writers.
Our podcast is brought to you by patreon supporters of both Working Class Literature and Working Class History. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
In our discussion, Charles Ferrall and Dougal McNeill explain why they wrote their book and what they mean when they say the strike was “a literary event.” We also discuss the works of a number of different working-class authors responding to the strike, not to mention those of more famous authors that were also affected by the strike, in particular Lady Chatterley’s Lover (1928) by DH Lawrence and To the Lighthouse (1927) by Virginia Woolf. Further reading and a transcript available on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/wcl15-literature-of-the-1926-general-strike/
Acknowledgements

Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands and Fellow Worker.
Our theme tune for this episode is Montaigne’s version of ‘When the Coal Comes from the Rhonda’, a folk song originating from Welsh miners in the early twentieth century and sung during the general strike. Download the song here. More from Montaigne: website, Instagram, YouTube.
Edited by Jesse French

E125.1: [TEASER] Riot Dogs - Greece bonus episode Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

Free preview extract ofIn various countries around the world, as movements against exploitation and inequality exploded, protesters found some unlikely allies – street dogs. In these episodes, we look at movements and riot dogs in two countries: Chile and Greece, and Negro Matapacos and Loukanikos, respectively.
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 without ads, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Supporters also get access to two exclusive podcast series: Fireside Chats and Radical Reads. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
In this bonus episode, we look at a street dog named Loukanikos, and protests against police violence in 2009, and against austerity in 2011. Listen to the whole thing exclusively by joining us on Patreon.
More info

Check out the Riot dog merch in our online shop.
Check out sources, more information, and eventually a transcript on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e125-riot-dogs/

Acknowledgements

Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands.
Episode graphic: Loukanikos poster, designed for WCH by Jeff Mooridian Jr
Our theme tune is Loukanikos, by Ricardo Araya, as The Sunfall. Get it here on Bandcamp.
Written by Audrey Kemp and Tyler Hill.
Produced by Tyler Hill.

E125: Riot dogs - Negro Matapacos Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

In various countries around the world, as movements against exploitation and inequality exploded, protesters found some unlikely allies – street dogs. In these episodes, we look at movements and riot dogs in two countries: Chile and Greece, and Negro Matapacos and Loukanikos, respectively.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 without ads, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Supporters also get access to two exclusive podcast series: Fireside Chats and Radical Reads. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
You can listen to our podcast on the links below, or on any major podcast app. Links to a few below.Episodes

E125: Chile – In this episode, we head to Chile, where a central figure of the 2019 uprising against the country’s dictatorship-era legacy, was a street dog called Negro Matapacos. Available without ads on Patreon.
E125.1: Greece – In this bonus episode, we look at a street dog named Loukanikos, and protests against police violence in 2009, and against austerity in 2011. Available exclusively for our supporters on Patreon.

More info

Check out the Riot dog merch in our online shop.
Check out sources, more information, and eventually a transcript on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e125-riot-dogs/

Acknowledgements

Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands.
Episode graphic: Negro Matapacos mural, courtesy Sfs90/Wikimedia Commons
Our theme tune is Loukanikos, by Ricardo Araya, as The Sunfall. Get it here on Bandcamp.
Written by Audrey Kemp and Tyler Hill.
Produced by Tyler Hill.

E124: [TEASER] Fireside Chat - World Cup of Chaos Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

Fireside Chat podcast available exclusively for our Patreon supporters we invited back Tomas Rothaus (from our Argentina 2001 episodes) to discuss football, politics, and the chaotic mess of the World Cup in Donald Trump's USA.
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
Recorded before the competition started,we discussed the many contradictions of being a radical football fan, the excitement of attending previous World Cups, the way various authoritarian regimes have utilised football for their own ends, and the many players and managers (past and present) who have believed in fairer society for all.
Listen to the full 92-minute episode here:

E124: Fireside Chat - World Cup of Chaos – Available exclusively for our supporters on Patreon

More information

Get a copy of Tomas' book, Argentina, a Tale of Two Utopias: Anarchism, Soccer, Neoliberalism
- You can also get Tomas’ other book, Another War Is Possible: Militant Anarchist Experiences in the Antiglobalization Era
Check out our other books about football and politics in our online store
More football related merch

Acknowledgements

Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Fellow Worker and Jazz Hands.
Edited by Jesse French
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. Download the song here, with all proceeds going to Medical Aid for Palestinians. More from Montaigne: website, Instagram, YouTube.

You can listen to all of our Patreon-exclusive podcast episodes by joining us on Patreon at patreon.com/workingclasshistory

E123.1 [TEASER]: IWW Starbucks Workers Union, bonus episode Jul 15, 2026

Show notes

Free preview of the bonus episode to our three-part podcast series about the organising campaign by the Industrial Workers of the World union at Starbucks in the 2000s, in conversation with Daniel Gross, one of the key organisers.
This episode covers more about Daniel’s work and organising history, the political and economic context of the early 2000s, and retaliation by Starbucks against him, and what happened in the subsequent legal case.
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 without ads, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Supporters also get access to two exclusive podcast series: Fireside Chats and Radical Reads. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
More

Listen to this full bonus episode here on Patreon.
Listen to all parts now without ads on Patreon.
More information, sources, show notes and eventually a transcript on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e121-123-iww-starbucks-workers-union/
Get hold of books by Daniel Gross, including:

Learn more about the IWW in our podcast series and in these books.
Learn more about McDonald’s Workers’ Resistance in this bonus podcast episode, available on Patreon.
Learn more about the Solidarity Union Network.
Learn more about workplace organising in these organising guides.
And, finally, learn about John’s experiences of organising at work in this bonus episode on Patreon.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands.
Episode graphic courtesy IWW.
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.
Edited by Jesse French

E123: IWW Starbucks Workers Union, part 3 Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

Final part of our three-part podcast series about the organising campaign by the Industrial Workers of the World union at Starbucks in the 2000s, in conversation with Daniel Gross, one of the key organisers.
This part covers international solidarity, Starbucks union-busting strategies, the decline of the union, and lessons for 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 without ads, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Supporters also get access to two exclusive podcast series: Fireside Chats and Radical Reads. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
More

Listen to all 3 parts now without ads, plus an exclusive bonus episode on Patreon.
More information, sources, show notes and eventually a transcript on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e121-123-iww-starbucks-workers-union/
Get hold of books by Daniel Gross, including:

Learn more about the IWW in our podcast series and in these books.
Learn more about McDonald’s Workers’ Resistance in this bonus podcast episode, available on Patreon.
Learn more about the Solidarity Union Network.
Learn more about workplace organising in these organising guides.
And, finally, learn about John’s experiences of organising at work in this bonus episode on Patreon.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands.
Episode graphic: Starbucks Workers Union members, including Daniel, holding the sign, left, march down Union Square, NYC, 2007. Courtesy IWW.
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.
Edited by Jesse French

E122: IWW Starbucks Workers Union, part 2 Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

Part 2 of our three-part podcast series about the organising campaign by the Industrial Workers of the World union at Starbucks in the 2000s, in conversation with Daniel Gross, one of the key organisers.
This part covers solidarity unionism and direct action on the job, tactics, and gains won by the workers.
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 without ads, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Supporters also get access to two exclusive podcast series: Fireside Chats and Radical Reads. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
More

Listen to all 3 parts now without ads, plus an exclusive bonus episode on Patreon.
More information, sources, show notes and eventually a transcript on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e121-123-iww-starbucks-workers-union/
Get hold of books by Daniel Gross, including:

Learn more about the IWW in our podcast series and in these books.
Learn more about McDonald’s Workers’ Resistance in this bonus podcast episode, available on Patreon.
Learn more about the Solidarity Union Network.
Learn more about workplace organising in these organising guides.
And, finally, learn about John’s experiences of organising at work in this bonus episode on Patreon.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands.
Episode graphic: Starbucks Workers Union members, including Daniel, holding the sign, left, march down Union Square, NYC, 2007. Courtesy IWW.
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.
Edited by Jesse French

E121: IWW Starbucks Workers Union, part 1 Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

Before the current wave of organising at Starbucks, another group of workers in the early 2000s got together and formed a union at one of the most anti-union corporations on earth. They won better pay and conditions, and laid the groundwork for the unionisation campaign today. Learn their story in this three-part podcast series in conversation with Daniel Gross, one of the key organisers.
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 without ads, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Supporters also get access to two exclusive podcast series: Fireside Chats and Radical Reads. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
More

Part 1: Background about Starbucks, workers’ pay and conditions, the Industrial Workers of the World union, how the organising got started, and the legal avenues the IWW pursued. Available without ads for our supporters on Patreon.
Listen to all 3 parts now without ads, plus an exclusive bonus episode on Patreon.
More information, sources, show notes and eventually a transcript on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e121-123-iww-starbucks-workers-union/
Get hold of books by Daniel Gross, including:

Learn more about the IWW in our podcast series and in these books.
Learn more about McDonald’s Workers’ Resistance in this bonus podcast episode, available on Patreon.
Learn more about the Solidarity Union Network.
Learn more about workplace organising in these organising guides.
And, finally, learn about John’s experiences of organising at work in this bonus episode on Patreon.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands.
Episode graphic: Starbucks Workers Union members, including Daniel, holding the sign, left, march down Union Square, NYC, 2007. Courtesy IWW.
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.
Edited by Jesse French

E120.1: [TEASER] 1926 general strike, bonus episode May 13, 2026

Show notes

Bonus episode for our three-part miniseries about the UK’s 1926 general strike, in collaboration with the General Strike 100 project and told using interviews with striking workers themselves.
In this episode, East London dock worker, Harry Watson, talks about life and work on the docks around the time of the general strike as well as the split of skilled dock workers away from the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
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 without ads, bonus episodes, two exclusive podcast series – Fireside Chats and Radical Reads – as well as free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory

Listen to the whole exclusive bonus episode without ads by joining us on Patreon. As well as more from Harry, it also includes Betty Harrison who recounts her experience of the 1925 textile workers' strike: https://www.patreon.com/posts/e120-1-1926-155633267
Listen to our exclusive music bonus episode where we explain the history behind the theme song used for this series (recorded for us by award-winning artist, Montaigne)

More info

Find out about events to commemorate the strike in your area (and beyond!) on the General Strike 100 website
- You will also find dozens of stories about incidents which took place during the strike in cities, towns, and villages across the UK
Get a copy of our interviewee, Judy Cox’s Revisiting the General Strike of 1926: When Workers Were Ready To Dare
More information including sources, further reading, images and soon a transcript available on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e119-121-1926-general-strike/

Acknowledgements

Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands and Fellow Worker.
Episode graphic: traffic on Westminster Bridge as a result of public transport being shut down. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
Our theme tune for this preview is Montaigne’s version of the classic labour movement anthem, ‘Bread and Roses’, performed by Montaigne and Nick Harriott, and mixed by Wave Racer. Download the song here, with all proceeds going to Medical Aid for Palestinians. More from Montaigne: website, Instagram, YouTube.
Edited by Jesse French

E120: 1926 general strike, part 3 May 06, 2026

Show notes

The final of our three-part miniseries about the UK’s 1926 general strike, which saw one and three-quarter million workers walk out in the biggest single work stoppage in British history. In collaboration with the General Strike 100 project and told using interviews with striking workers themselves.
In this episode, we look at state repression against the strike, the capitulation of union leaders, and the victimisation of strikers and months-long lockout of the miners after the end of the general strike.
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 without ads, bonus episodes, two exclusive podcast series – Fireside Chats and Radical Reads – as well as free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory

Listen to our bonus episode to hear more from two participants in the general strike, exclusively on Patreon
Listen to our bonus mini-episode where we explain the history behind the theme song used for this series

More info

Find out about events to commemorate the strike in your area (and beyond!) on the General Strike 100 website
- You will also find dozens of stories about incidents which took place during the strike in cities, towns, and villages across the UK
Get a copy of our interviewee, Judy Cox’s Revisiting the General Strike of 1926: When Workers Were Ready To Dare
More information including sources, further reading, images and soon a transcript available on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e119-121-1926-general-strike/

Acknowledgements

Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands and Fellow Worker.
Episode graphic: lorry loaded with petrol escorted by mounted policeas workers watch by the side of the road in London. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
Our theme tune for this episode is Montaigne’s version of ‘When the Coal Comes from the Rhonda’, a folk song originating from Welsh miners in the early twentieth century and sung during the general strike. Download the song here. More from Montaigne: website, Instagram, YouTube.
Edited by Jesse French

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