Blogs

Trade unions in solidarity with anti-fracking protesters

 

Over the past few weeks, trade unions in Lancashire and North Yorkshire have joined protests against fracking.

On the 4th of November, protesters marched to the Kirby Misperton fracking site.

They were led by drummers from the Public Commercial Services Union samba band. Also present were representatives from the Fire Brigades Union, Unite, Unite Community, all in solidarity with the Water Protectors. For weeks now, Third Energy has continued preparations for test fracking at the KM8 well near the town, despite protests from locals and anti-fracking groups such as Frack Free Lancashire.

Jobs and a safe climate - report from TUC fringe meeting

The TUC conference this year was uplifting for those who have long argued that trade unions should take the lead on climate change.

An ambitious motion from the Bakers' Union, passed unanimously, brought trade unions much closer to the vision on energy and industrial strategy set out in Labour's election manifesto. A dozen delegates, from unions including CWU, FBU, Prospect, Unison, USDAW, RMT, PCS, Unite and TSSA took to the rostrum, urging the TUC to campaign for the UK's rigged energy system to return to democratic control, and to work with unions on a cross-sector industrial strategy to tackle 'the irrefutable evidence that dangerous climate change is driving unprecedented changes to our environment.' Full motion here.

The Campaign against Climate Change trade union group pulled off perhaps the best ever green fringe meeting in Brighton: Another world is possible: jobs and a safe climate

Unions spoke passionately about how they saw their union, and the labour movement, can provide the leadership so lacking in government. And the Campaign against Climate Change chair, Suzanne Jeffrey, set out plans for a national conference on Climate and Jobs - another world is possible on 10 March 2018 (note date in your diary!). She said the renewed TUC commitment to tackle climate change provided an opportunity for progressive new policies for the labour movement.

TUC passes motion calling for climate action and energy democracy

 

The following motion has just been passed by TUC Congress.

Thanks to the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union who moved the motion and CWU, FBU, ASLEF and TSSA who submittted amendments.

Congress notes the irrefutable evidence that dangerous climate change is driving unprecedented changes to our environment such as the devastating flooding witnessed in the UK in 2004.

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