Jane Baston, Author at Green Party Trade Union Group

Greens call for end to austerity to resolve Birmingham bin strikes

Jane Baston — Fri, 09 May 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Bin workers in Birmingham have been striking for over two months to stop cuts to their pay by the Labour Council and Government-appointed Commissioners. Unite members are facing huge cuts to their wages as the Council downgrades roles – making workers pay for a crisis they have done nothing to cause.

Local government has faced 14 years of cuts from the Conservatives, causing Councils to cut vital services from bin collections to social care and special educational needs. Under a Labour Government, this crisis continues. Almost half of councils in England are at risk of bankruptcy next year, many with crippling debts that the Government has failed to act on. The choice by Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves to continue Tory austerity – and their refusal to tax wealth – means workers on below average pay are being asked suffer the consequences.

The Government must fund local government properly. It must ensure that Council workers can be paid fairly, and end the bin strikes in Birmingham.

Carla Denyer & Adrian Ramsay, Green Party Co-leaders

Zack Polanski, Green Party Deputy Leader

Matthew Hull, Green Party Trade Union Liaison Officer

Jane Baston, Birmingham Green Party campaigner

Green Party Trade Union group

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GPTU AGM with Grace Blakeley and Zack Polanski

Jane Baston — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 17:05:00 +0000

The Green Party Trade Union Group Annual General Meeting heard from two fantastic speakers about the impact of capitalism on workers and what the Green Party has been doing to tackle this.

Grace spoke to her recent book, Vulture Capitalism, which investigates how financial interests influence politics and how together workers can fight back. Green Party Deputy Leader, and London Assembly Member, Zack Polanski spoke about the work he’s been doing to stand up for workers rights and how we can build solidarity between Green activists and trade unionists.

Watch the full event and find out more about our plans for 2025!

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Drawing a line – Working with Trade Unions to oppose Council Cuts

Jane Baston — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 16:55:00 +0000

Over the last 14 years Conservative cuts to public services have left local authorities scrambling to balance their budget. Labour’s current inaction looks no better. Currently all they’re offering are sticking plasters and no real solutions. With a growing number of Councillors, the Green Party has the opportunity to mount a coordinated challenge to the continued cuts to our local services.

The Green Party Trade Union Group believes that Trade Unions are a key ally in tackling this for three reasons:

Trade unions represent the interest of council workers with over 1.5 million workers employed directly by Councils. Including outsourced workers this number rises significantly.
Trade unions give a voice to ordinary people. Their voices are often overlooked but they’re dealing with the impact of public service cuts.
Trade unions have strong presences and can be used to support and amplify political campaigns.

Councillors and trade unions working together have an opportunity to communicate the scale and causes of the current crisis. Together we can force the Government to act.

Our briefing aims to guide Green Councillors through working with trade unions and offers practical steps towards a coherent political response to the current crisis.

Drawing a Line – AGCGPTU Briefing for Councillors (1)Download

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