E82: Workmates collective

Nov. 2, 2023

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.

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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.

• 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.