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On today’s episode, Jon plays a selection of raucous union-themed punk rock featuring Rancid, Risky Biscuit, The Clash, Labor Force, Pinkerton Thugs, and Billy Bragg! A radio show and podcast from Unions Manawatū looking at union activities and issues around the region, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

This week we sat down with Tony Sealy and "Wattie" Watson of the NZPFU to discuss the local issues facing our Fire Service amdist the ongoing strike action of dedicated NZPFU members against the inaction and dangerous policies of FENZ. Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

This week, Jon (PSA) interviews Maarten Bazuin (Taxpro) as part of our ongoing Organiser Origins series. Maarten discusses his origins in the movement and some thoughts about where we can focus in future. Podcast from Unions Manawatū looking at union activities and issues around the region, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

A radio show and podcast from Unions Manawatū looking at union activities and issues around the region, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Jon (PSA) and Andy (PPTA) continue their discussion stemming from the Resurgent Union Movement presentation by Public Interest NZ. Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Jon (E tū) and Andy (PPTA) discuss some thoughts about the recent Fabian Society talk, "From Protest to Power: a resurgent union movement" which several Unions Manawatū members attended in Pōneke on June 24th. They discuss why the term ‘revolutionary’ may not be useful, whether unions should be loud and proud, and Andy gets into some historical context around the situation we find ourselves in. This is Part One of their discussion and Part Two will air next Tuesday. Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Ben (TEU), Georgia (TEU), Josh Jr (a member of 3 unions!), and Jon (E tū) have an initial look over the horrible 2026 Budget recently released. Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Today, Jon (E tū), Andy (PPTA), and Josh Jr, joined later in the episode by Ben (TEU), debrief and discuss Worker’s Memorial Day (April 28th) and May Day (May 1st) events as well as touching upon Health & Safety at work. Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

This episode sees John Shennan of R.U.M and Andy Rothville from PPTA discussing the upcoming Workers' Memorial Day and the changes to the Health and Safety at Work Act currently being proposed by the Minister for Workplace Relations Brooke Van Velden. Workers' Memorial Day will be coming up on 28 April and this annual commemoration serves as a timely reminder of why unions have fought so hard to build and improve health and safety legislation and systems in Aotearoa." Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

CAW is back in effect! Today’s episode is Part Two of Georgia Davey’s Organiser Origins interview looking at her political origins and entry to the union movement. Georgia is an organiser with the Tertiary Education Union | Te Hautū Kahurangi (TEU). We also play ‘Cry Evil’ by Iluka to end out the episode. Feminist rage! Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

CAW is back in effect! Today’s episode is Part One of Georgia Davey’s Organiser Origins interview looking at her political origins and entry to the union movement. Georgia is an organiser with the Tertiary Education Union | Te Hautū Kahurangi (TEU) and we’re so excited to have her with us in Unions Manawatū. Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Jon Pawson (E Tū) speaks with Ben Schmidt from the Tertiary Education Union about the major attacks on workers contained in the government’s Employment Relations Amendment Bill and the proposed Employment Leave Act. They discuss changes affecting contractor status, natural‑justice rights in personal‑grievance cases, the “fire‑at‑will” provisions for workers earning over $200k, and the impact of redefining serious misconduct. The conversation also examines proposed changes to annual‑leave and sick‑leave entitlements, how these would affect part‑time and shift workers, and the wider implications for collective bargaining. Jon and Ben also look ahead to union actions planned throughout 2026, including Workers’ Memorial Day, May Day, Labor Day, Working Women’s Week, and election‑year organising. Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of NZ On Air.

Today is the first of 2026’s new interview series with current and ex union delegates. Today’s guest is Josh Jr, ex Workers First delegate. We discuss his beginnings in the union movement, how he was recruited and became a delegate, and his thoughts on the current and future of the union movement in Aotearoa. Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of NZ On Air.

Jon Pawson presents part 4 of 4 of his long‑form conversation with John Shennan from the Retired Unionists Movement. John discusses the later history of unionism in Manawatū, including the Longburn freezing works, early organising efforts across the region, and key figures such as Norm Burns, Colleen Te Tana, Joanna Tapper, Maxine Gay, Paul Hemmingson, and Alan Miller. He reflects on the industrial power of unions like the engine drivers, the fragmentation of teacher unions, and the impact of major public‑sector disputes. The conversation also covers the political climate facing today’s unions, recent government actions affecting workers, and the pressures shaping the current wave of public‑sector strikes. Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of NZ On Air.

Jon Pawson presents part 3 of 4 of his conversation with John Shennan from the Retired Unionists Movement. John reflects on the formation and early years of Unions Manawatū, the effects of the Employment Contracts Act, and the efforts to rebuild union structures in the region. He discusses major national splits in the trade‑union movement, including the formation of the NZCTU, the role of unions such as TUF, and the influence of organisers like Maxine Gay. The discussion also covers early local organising in Palmerston North, the absence of established structures in the 1990s, and the varied unions operating in the region, including the brewery workers, engine drivers, and others who shaped industrial activity at the time. Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of NZ On Air.