We could have made a list of all the puns and music references sprinkled throughout the On The Job podcast series, but we don’t quite have the counting technology to capture them all.
It has been an absolute whirlwind of a year for workers across the country – and we still have a couple of months to go. Even though we had a massive Federal Election this year, it is still their everyday stories that keep us listening.
From early childhood educators demanding our kids get the quality service they deserve to teens taking on Maccas, we’ve rounded up the top five episodes of 2022.
1. Climate Disaster Leave
Workers at the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) are green and not because they’re young.
For many workers, recent climate change fuelled bushfires and floods have not only caused huge disruption in their personal lives, but they’ve also caused chaos in their working lives.
In response, AYCC employees have taken the lead and negotiated what they have called Climate Disaster Leave.
2. Would you like a side of workers’ rights with that?
Workers may be compensated millions of dollars thanks to a union-led campaign because of McDonald’s alleged refusal to allow their workers to take 10-minute paid breaks.
The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) has launched a court case seeking $250 million in compensation for unpaid wages of 250,000 current and former McDonald’s workers across Australia.
Grace Becker is one young worker who had to work without breaks for Maccas.
“Instead of a paid break we would get a small soft drink or water which we would have to leave in the crew room and could only access it…after we asked our manager if we could step out and grab a drink.”
3. Are you one of the “forgotten Australians”?
When politicians pull out the term “forgotten Australians” what are the chances that they’re referring to you?
“I don’t know that I’ve heard the phrase ‘forgotten people’ outside politics,” said Sally Rugg in this episode of On The Job.
Australian Council of Trade Unions historian Dr Liam Byrne joined us to explain the divisive nature of the term and how conservative politicians have used it as a divide-and-conquer tactic.
4. Early childhood educators can’t pay the bills with love
“The parents at the centre I work at have been really supportive. They understand that you can’t pay the bills with love,” Talie Mengell told On the Job.
Mengell is an early childhood educator who has been doing the vital work of nurturing and teaching children for 20 years.
She loves her job, but like so many in the sector, she’s wonders if she can continue with current circumstances much longer.
5. The mighty 100th episode
At On the Job, we know how to commemorate a 100th episode in style and this week’s episode comes all the way from the United States.
Ingrid Vilorio has been a Jack in the Box worker for 2 years and a son with disability. During the pandemic, she got COVID at work and passed on the virus to her son. She was forced to quarantine, denied COVID pay and told be her supervisor she didn’t qualify for paid sick leave.
She went on strike and that was just the start of her union journey…
And we are still going strong! With 100 episodes in tow, we are not slowing down anytime soon. Tune in for the best podcast in making your work life better.
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P.S. Want even more of Francis Leach and fantastic workers’ yarns? Check out video series The Bulletin with Francis and co-host Kleo Cruse.
Cover photo credit: Rachel Moore on Unsplash
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On The Job reaches 100 episodes and still not out