The Week at Work

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Reviewing the weekly news and how those stories impact on workers.

Left Bloc


    • Apr 13, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 59m AVG DURATION
    • 174 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Week at Work

    175. Irish Radical History Workshop pt. 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2025 48:46


    Second of three workshops held in the Spark, Phibsborough. Recorded on 10 April 2025 and continues the themes of the previous week, looking at historical materialism. Topics include Engels, Mao, Peadar O'Donnell, Brian O'Neill, The Ripening of Time Collective, and Mahdi Amel and the pitfalls of underdevelopment/world systems theory when applied to Ireland.

    174. Irish Radical History Workshop, pt.1

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2025 47:40


    Recording of the first of three workshops on Irish radical history, held in The Spark, Phibsborough, 3 April 2025. The series will focus in on Marxism and history, Irish class consciousness and class struggle, and pioneer Irish socialists of the 19th century. Slides from the workshop available here - https://conor-mccabe.com/2025/04/04/irish-radical-history-no-1/

    173. How do you like them €13bn Apples?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2024 48:57


    This week Dave and Conor discuss the European Court of Justice ruling that Ireland is owed €13.8bn in taxes due to illegal state aid. What are the implications for Ireland, and how does this illustrate the nature of the Irish comprodor economic system? If you want to support us, go to www.leftbloc.ie or www.patreon.com/leftbloc And don't forget to book your ticket for Scoil Cois Claí: https://leftbloc.ie/scoil-chois-clai-2024/

    172. British & NI Elections, Gaza, Pilot Strikes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2024 47:06


    This week on the podcast, Clare and Michelle are joined by Stiofán O Nualláin to discuss Northern Ireland and British Elections Imperialist Labour Party Gaza Genocide Garda Violence Pilot Strikes Mass evictions from Direct Provision Centres & Much More!

    171. Reviewing the EU and local elections 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2024 53:54


    This week Dave and Conor take a look at the EU and local elections where they review the performance of the parties, the media campaign and the strategies of the left. They also discuss, where to next... where will "left unity" come from?

    170. Housing Report, Artwork Project & EU Election Debates

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2024 58:25


    On this weeks show, Dave, Conor and Michelle discuss: The Housing Commission Report The recognition of Palestine The Dublin 8 Artwork Project The EU Elections The real cost of a United Ireland

    169. Trinity College Dublin Occupation & Amazon Threats

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2024 57:53


    This week Dave and Clare talk to Conor Reddy about the ongoing Trinity College Dublin encampment and protests against complicity with Israel's genocide in Palestine. Conor is a member of the Postgraduate Workers' Organisation of Ireland and a People Before Profit candidate in the upcoming local elections. Also discussed: Threats from Amazon Ireland if we don't allow more data centres Shortages of energy and water Leila Doolin skydiving for Gaza on her 90th birthday (https://tinyurl.com/LeilasJump) Decriminalising drugs And much more…

    168. Stardust, Bloody Sunday, Palestine & Trade Union Actions

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2024 39:11


    This Week Clare and Michelle discuss Stardust Verdict Bloody Sunday Palestine - West Bank violence increasing - - Protests against weapons through Shannon for Israel. - Columbia students encampment - Banning of people speaking languages at protests - Google workers sacked for protesting Googles role in apartheid. - Communication Workers Union motion on An Post members not handling Israeli mail. - Eir and An Post workers pay rises - Unite policy conference - Labour Party Councillor brought to WRC - Josip Strok, Roderick O Gorman, IPO, policing, elections and the far right Hands - Ireland seeking to abandon ‘triple lock'

    167. Palestine with Clare Daly, Aseel Marabeh & Dean Mulligan

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2024 50:18


    In this special episode Councillor Dean Mulligan hosts a public discussion with Clare Daly MEP and Palestinian activist Aseel Marabeh. The event took place on 3rd April in Swords. Dean introduces the event explaining the resistance at local council level to pro-Palestinian initiatives, while Clare Daly explains what is happening in the EU. Aseel gives a horrific breakdown of what is facing Palestinians, particularly in Gaza.

    166. DUP Crisis, Bertie Revival & Israel Threaten Ireland

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2024 51:36


    This week, Dave, Michelle and Stiofán Ó Nualláin discuss: Jeffery Donaldson Bertie Ahern Easter rising commemorations Dublin - a failing capitalist experiment? The Shannon 3 protest US Military use of airport Stripsearching and Special branch. Israel embassy trade threat BDS actions in the workplace Palestinian banking Defunding RTE The James Connolly Festival (www.jamesconnollyfestival.com) The Robert Tressell Festival (www.tressellfestival.ie) And much more... Support us at www.patreon.com/leftbloc

    165. Trade Union Taoiseach, Genocide Joe and Unite Victory

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2024 58:30


    This week Dave, Clare and Conor discuss: A workers' rights Taoiseach All hail our new overlord Gannon gets salty with Pepper Unite victory in the Supreme Court Calls for suspension of EU Trade Agreements with Israel Genocide Joe and the continued attacks on Palestinians And much more...

    164. Palestine, Investor Activists and the "SaveJobs" alliance

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2024 58:04


    This week Michelle and Dave discuss: Palestine & the ongoing genocide Industrial Relations Act 1990 and Boycotting goods Sally Rooney:  ‘good friend' in the White House. “the situation in the middle east” Two state solution Mary Robinson on RTE NI open for businesss SWSW festival Criminalising peaceful protesting Investor “activists” 94% of Forsa members voted yes to pay deal. 19 unions with public service members. SaveJobs – a coalition to preserve profits

    163. Referendum Results and the Irish Left Parties

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2024 45:54


    This week Michelle and Conor discuss the care referendum result and the campaigns run by the three main left political parties: Sinn Féin, People before Profit, and the Social Democrats.

    162. Naomi Klein, The Far-Right, and Ireland

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2024 45:19


    This week Aubrey and Conor look at Naomi Klein's new book on the rise of the far-right. Doppelganger, and discuss its relevance to what's happening in Ireland today.

    161. Gaza , political policing, trade union bill & opinion polls

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2024 48:30


    161. This week Clare and Michelle talk about Palestine events, OPW block IPSC event, Seanad motion on Palestine, increased militrisation, investment in illegal companies, policing of Palestine protests, facial recognitiion technology, RTB report, Owen Keegan in RTB, Joan Collins bill Gaza Genocide Garda protester removal Housing Planning Developments Care referendum Opinion Polls & More!

    160. Amazon Strikes, Union Rights, and Sinn Féin in the Polls

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2024 50:09


    This week Dave and Conor look at the strikes at Amazon's warehouse in Coventry, an upcoming trade union bill sponsored by Joan Collins TD, and Sinn Féin's recent dip in the polls.

    159. ICJ Genocide outcome against Israel, Ryanairs Housing Model & Public Sector Pay Deal

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2024 41:36


    This week David Gibney is joined by Eoghan Fox, President of the Galway Council of Trade Unions to discuss: The International Court of Justice ruling on Israel's Genocide Sinn Fein visiting Genocide Joe for Paddys Day New Public Sector Pay Deal Ryanair snap up gaffs in Dublin Guantanamo Bay and the inspiring former inmates trying to close it (book available here - https://www.connollybooks.org/product/dont-forget-us-here) And more...

    158. Palestine, Collective Action and the Far Right

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2024 45:09


    This week, Clare and Stevie discuss the Genocide of Gaza, the South African case in the ICJ, the Irish Government response and the power of collective action. We discuss the upcoming local elections and referendum and the toxic discourse being driven by far right agitators, alongside discussions on housing, the EU, the DUP and Nothern Ireland politics and more!

    157. The Many Myths of C. Desmond Greaves

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2024 49:38


    This week Conor and Dave look at C. Desmond Greaves' biography of James Connolly, in particular the poetic license and myth-making that Greaves indulged in when filling in the gaps in Connolly's early days. It focuses on the account Greaves gave of Connolly's army career, and the issues with the sources used and story told. This episode was recorded in the Garden of Remembrance one Friday afternoon.

    156. Dublin Institutional Landlords & the Research of Pierce Daly

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2023 40:42


    This week Conor McCabe and Aubrey Robinson discuss a recent paper by Pierce Daly (UCD) which mapped the location and intensity of institutional/corporate investment in the Dublin rental market. It is a rare example of detailed empirical analysis on the issue and we felt it deserved a discussion and analysis in itself. Link to the paper is below, along with one by Daniela Gabor and Sebastian Kohl which is referenced by Aubrey during the show. Pierce Daly. Institutional Investment in Housing: Financialisation 2.0 in the Case of Ireland - https://shorturl.at/IOWZ4 Daniela Gabor and Sebastian Kohl. My Home is an Asset Class - https://shorturl.at/goHTU

    155. Class and Capitalism in Rural Ireland

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2023 46:01


    This week, guest Saoirse McHugh and Conor McCabe discuss the dynamics of class and capitalism in so-called 'rural' Ireland; the feebleness of the institutional Irish left (political parties, trade unions, research bodies) in dealing with these dynamics; and the rising threat of the far-right as it elbows its way into the vacuum. Recorded during a climate action march in Dublin on 9 December 2023.

    154. Palestine, the Ditch and Data Centres

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2023 44:25


    This week Glenn and Michelle discuss: Truce in Palestine ended, Israeli bombardment restarted Role of mainstream media Division in our communities - rise of hate and the question of 'resources' Mary Lou tweet Rents reaching new records The Ditch investigations Data centres and COP Successes in the BDS campaign

    153. Knife attack on Parnell Square and the Dublin riots

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2023 54:53


    This week Dave, Clare and Michelle discuss: The Parnell Square knife attack Dublin violence & classism Policing - water cannons, Facial recognition technology ICTU rally Palestine so-called 4 day pause in firing Surge in munition exemptions undermining our neutrality Attempts to scrapping the triple lock AIB applying banking sanctions? Homeless numbers record broken again AirBnb profits Mayo council execs as landlords Mechanical workers win big after strike threat

    152. Israel's continued genocide in Palestine & this weeks news

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2023 65:07


    In this weeks episode Dave and Michelle discuss the continued genocide in Palestine including:  Israel bombing boats in Gaza to starve population Israel's Heritage Minister suggests nuking Gaza and sending civilians to Ireland Doctors in Israel call for continued targeting of hospitals WCNSF acronym - child with no remaining family left Irish citizens in Gaza prevented from leaving SF call to expel the Israeli ambassador Silencing dissent - Web Summit, Amazon, Pharma, Gofundme and Wix Football community politics Sunday indo poll on ceasefire Artist boycott 600+ academics calling on unis to suspend ties with Israeli institutions Role of media Also discussed: European far right in in Kilkenny Intel is Hell Garment workers strike in Bangladesh Scrapping air passenger cap Traveller homes Household media charge Gardai propaganda Good IRA v Bad IRA If you want to support us you can do so at www.patreon.com/leftbloc

    151. Bernadette McAliskey on Nationalism & the Far Right

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2023 52:47


    Lifelong activist, socialist and feminist, Bernadette McAliskey, addresses the topic of Nationalism & the Far Right at An Scoil Chois Claí 2023.

    150. The genocidal siege of Gaza, Israeli War Crimes, DUP rollback and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2023 60:27


    This week Clare O'Connor is joined by Dr Sean Byers of Trademark Belfast to discuss ongoing Israeli war crimes and bombardment of Gaza, international Palestinian solidarity and Trade Union Actions , The Fog of War, DUP Rollback, Liberal legislating and more!

    149. Budget 2024 Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2023 62:54


    Dave Gibney and Clare O'Connor are joined by Conor McCabe as we look at Budget 2024 and what the main opposition parties would have done differently. We address housing, health, education, climate, taxation and carers, among other items.

    148. Israel, Palestine & Imperialist EU

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2023 42:55


    This week, Clare and Michelle discuss Palestine, Israel and EU imperialism Student & PHD strikes Budget 2023 Estate Agents ramping up rental costs Drug Hauls & the war on drugs And much more!

    147. MSM's far-left bogeyman, policing of protests and evictions

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2023 50:30


    Michelle and Glenn take a look at the mainstream media reaction to the far-right protest that took place outside Dáil Éireann upon its return, which has been riddled with bothsidesing and false equivalence. This segues into a chat about the Garda handling of everything from protests to illegal evictions. Michelle, fresh in from attending a demonstration outside Waterford Garda Station, gives a firsthand account of the community response to an illegal eviction that took place a few weeks ago. Housing is covered extensively later in the episode before taking a look at some other interesting stories that emerged throughout the week.

    146. USC lobbying, Russell Brand and Scoil Chois Claí 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2023 56:11


    This week Dave and Clare discuss: Scoil Chois Claí 2023 Housing, tax reliefs and inflating prices Mary Lou and health Cosmic events in Portmarnock and alien cakes Russel Brand USC lobbying & much more… Support us at www.leftbloc.ie

    145. Electoral reform, Workers' Rights Attacks and Free State mindset

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2023 48:47


    This week Michelle talks to Glenn Fitzpatrick and Mebh McDaid about: - Electoral reform in the South - Workers Rights under attack - Ryanair - Free State mindset - Future of Ireland's drug laws: Gardai vs evidence base - UBI and “a new social contract” - Bernadette Devlin new journo role - Scoil Chois Claí preview - EPA and pushback on meat consumption, what of the “just transition”? & More...

    144. Budget, State services, Global Boiling, Aib, industrial action & more!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2023 50:31


    This week Michelle and Clare discuss Deaths in homeless services Failure of state services in duty of care. Policing responses on homelessness and far right Budget 2024 and the myth of scarcity AIB profits and sell offs Climate boiling Bray Air show Industrial action And more!

    143. The Neoliberal Education System and Strikes

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2023 48:37


    On this week's The Week At Work, Michelle Byrne speaks to Caoimhe Ní Dhónaill, anti-casualisation officer in University and College Union (UCU) Queens University Belfast (QUB) branch and Professor John Barry, a green representative in UCU at QUB. We hear about the UCU QUB industrial action covering pensions, casualisation, pay and pay gaps and more. We also discuss the neoliberal agenda in education, the role of the university in the climate crisis and solidarity.

    142. Palestine Special with Dean McGrath

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2023 41:53


    This week Michelle talks to Dean McGrath from the South East Irish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign to discuss his recent visit to Palestine and the ongoing oppression there.

    141. Climate Change, Iceland Strike and Cluster Bombs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2023 48:16


    Part 2 of this weeks show with Clare and Dave discussing: Climate change and preparing for a 2 degree increase in temperatures  Interview by Mebh McDaid with the Iceland workers at the Talbot street occupation SAG-AFTRA strike and superstar solidarity Cluster munitions and Ireland's role in their supply Commentators seeking a nuclear war And more...

    140. RTE, Housing and An Scoil Chois Claí 2023 (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2023 52:31


    This week Clare and Dave have split the episode in to two parts to discuss: Left Bloc's festical Scoil Chois Claí 2023 on Inis Oírr Housing & blaming victims RTE, the strawman and deconstructing public service broadcasting Companies delisting from the Irish stock exchange Climate change and preparing for a 2 degree increase in temperatures  Interview by Mebh McDaid with the Iceland workers at the Talbot street occupation SAG-AFTRA strike and superstar solidarity Cluster munitions and Ireland's role in their supply Commentators seeking a nuclear war Report on the Future of Youth Work

    139. RTE Tubsidy Payments, Iceland & Prepping for elections

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2023 64:13


    This week Dave Gibney, Michelle Byrne and Glenn Fitzpatrick discuss: RTÉ and the future of Public Service Broadcasting Ireland Thinks Poll Spanish ambassador to Ireland on NATO Rise of the right across Europe Iceland and strategic insolvencies Water services workers on strike FG Selective outrage on fast fashion  And much more…

    138. Cuba, the Revolution and the US Blockade

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2023 60:49


    This week we have a special episode about Cuba with Michelle Byrne, Liz from the Communist Party of Ireland (CPI) and Sam Galvin (Chair of Unite Youth). They discuss the May Day Brigade, the US blockade, Healthcare, climate and farming, children, the family code, participatory democracy, culture, Committees for Defence of the Revolution (CDR) and trade unions in Cuba, International Conference and how we can show solidarity with the Cuban people.

    137. James Connolly Festival with Eddie Dempsey (RMT) & Denise Curran (Mandate Trade Union)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2023 38:32


    This week we have a special episode from the James Connolly Festival where Dave Gibney hosts a discussion between Eddie Dempsey, Senior Assistant General Secretary from the RMT, Denise Curran, President of Mandate Trade Union and our own Michelle Byrne, Trade Union Left Forum (TULF). The discussion is: Trade Unions: Radical or Redundant   Join the Left Bloc Community on WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GrpI1ETKXHN5UMjPyjVfzY

    136. Media blackout on Peace, Tax Breaks and Tech Workers Organising

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2023 42:09


    This week Michelle and Glenn discuss: Red C poll / Coalition “rift” and anti immigrant sentiment Performance of Gov parties vis a vis what is happening at societal level (industrial disputes, call for wage increases etc) Media Blackout on PANA poll Clare Daly advocates for peace on RTÉ Upfront Decay of US economy (based off this piece https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2023/05/27/china-economic-alternative-us-led-financial-order/) Tax Breaks and the Squeezed Middle Forsa conference, HSE outsourcing and pressure on the health system Emerald Air (Aer Lingus regional) dispute IWU Iceland workers dispute update Tech workers unionising with FSU and impact of anti-trade union legislation ICTU calls for minimum wage increase, a living wage and abolition of discriminatory rates of page based on age Peace and Neutrality Alliance poll - 87% support ceasefire Irish multinational in Columbia disrupting peace And much more…

    135. Northern Elections, Neutrality Attacks and Worker Power

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2023 46:15


    This week Dave and Michelle are joined by Stiofán O'Nualláin to discuss: Elections in the North The erosion of Irish neutrality Migration, climate and rise of hate Iceland workers strike Debenhams workers win WRC case Corporate veil protecting employers Sacked Murphy 4 - Unite campaign An Scoil Chois Claí - Inis Oírr details And much more… Join the Left Bloc Community on WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GrpI1ETKXHN5UMjPyjVfzY

    134. Interview with IWU General Secretary

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2023 47:34


    Michelle spoke to Jamie Murphy, acting General Secretary of the Independent Workers Union (IWU) about the union and it's most recent campaigns with Iceland store workers, bogus self employment of Home help workers by the state and more. Support the Iceland workers strike fund here: https://gofund.me/b4cbe2df

    133. Workers' Day, Niall Collins & Attacks on Media, & Stardust Inquest

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2023 61:21


    This week Dave, Michelle and Clare discuss: International Workers' Memorial Day International Workers' Day Political Festivals Government to defend ESAT case Government attacks independent media Homelessness Far right protests on Paul Murphy's house Varadkar eyes surplus for tax cuts The Stardust Inquest & More….

    Ep 132. Good Friday Legacy, Abortion Review, Niall Collins, investment funds, 10B surplus & More!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2023 48:51


    This week Clare is joined by Amy Rafferty member of Connolly Youth Movement and Left Bloc member to discuss Her recent article on LeftBloc.ie , Good Friday Agreement celebrations and it's economic legacy Abortion Review & the effort to stall progress Niall Collins & The Ditch Investment Funds and Social Housing 10 billion rainy day fund while the world burns, Who will pay the 8 billion euro penalties for our carbon emissions? & More! Support us on www.LeftBloc.ie and on patreon.com/LeftBloc

    Episode 131. Housing, Irish state & ECHR, Irish Neutrality, Biden & Gardai facial recognition

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2023 69:04


    Episode 131 On this weeks The Week at Work, Clare O Connor and Lorna Bogue discuss: Housing LDA and Land Hoarding 1.5 billion underspend on housing budget Ireland argue against ECHR right to clean, healthy, sustainable environment Class Politics Irish Neutrality Garda bodycams and facial recognition software Stardust Inquest starts tomorrow ....and More!

    130. Eviction ban, latest polls, GFA anniversary

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2023 38:53


    This week Stiofán Ó Nualláin is joined by Mebh McDaid as they take over The Week at Work for one week only! They discuss: Eviction ban Latest polls GFA anniversary UDA feud Strike action And more...

    129. Organise where you stand - Eviction Ban, IPCC Report, Irish Neurtrality, Labour Party Conference & Geopolitics

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2023 58:36


    Episode 129. This week Michelle, Clare and Glenn discuss the eviction ban, the IPCC Report, coalition politics, Labour party promises, Irish Neutrality, Geopolitics and Organising where you stand.

    128. Eviction Ban, Labour V Soc Dems & Windsor Framework

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2023 40:34


    This week Michelle and Stiofán Ó Nualláin discuss: Eviction ban, Labour V Soc Dems, Windsor Framework, Biden, Pension protests And more... Like the pod? Support us at www.leftbloc.ie

    127. Ireland For All, Eviction Ban, Ukraine war 1 year on

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2023 46:24


    This week, Clare and Michelle discuss the Ireland For All rally; The eviction ban; mother and baby home vote; the first anniversary of the Ukraine war and more

    126. Ireland For All Rally - 6th Feb 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2023 30:04


    This special episode contains speeches and songs from the United Against Racism and Le Cheile rally held on O'Connell Street on Monday, 6th February 2023.  Speakers included activist Ellie Kisyombe, Cllr. Daithí Doolan (Sinn Fein), Paul Murphy TD & Richard Boyd Barrett TD (People Before Profit), Steph Hanlon, Marese Hegarty, Ailbhe Smyth, Dean Scurry and many others. Music by Jimi Cullen and others. Let's build for Saturday, 18th February! 

    125. Anti-Far Right rally, New research into Dublin housing, bizarre newspaper supplements, and Bertie's big return

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2023 45:28


    This week Michelle and Conor look at the Le Chéile anti-far right rally in Dublin; new research into the Dublin rental market and corporate landlords; a bizarre 64-page pull-out in the Irish Examiner; Sinn Féin's big mortgage idea; and Bertie Ahern out of the sin bin. The show is interspersed with clips from the Le Chéile rally last Monday.

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