Campaigns

Support the RMT Strikes

RMT Strike solidarity pack

Tens of thousands of rail workers are preparing to walk out over jobs, pay and conditions. RMT members are demanding a fair pay rise to match inflation, guarantees against compulsory redundancies, and the protection of key roles on the railways.

This is set to be the biggest rail strike since 1989 - and a milestone in the fight for real Government action on the cost of living crisis. A victory in this dispute could inspire a wave of action - from teachers to nurses and beyond - to force the Tories to hand workers real pay rises and tackle inequality.

But the Conservatives have other plans, and are already looking to seize the chance to further restrict lawful strike action and even force rail workers to scab on their colleagues.

In short, this is a major fight for the labour movement and we need to make sure we win.

The Green Party Trade Union Group committee has produced an explainer on why Greens should support the RMT's action, including some materials you can use to get supporting the striking workers locally.

Candidates and councillors pledge!

We are calling on all Green Party members, councillors and candidates for election in 2022 to take our pledge to support trade unions and champion workers' rights!

Complete the form on this page to add your name.

Together, we pledge to:

  1. Work closely with my local trades union council and union branches
  2. Support workplace safety for key workers
  3. Work to end outsourcing and two-tier workforces
  4. Work to end insecure work in our council services
  5. Support voluntary recognition of unions in council services
  6. Implement ethical procurement policies with a preference for union employers
  7. Support renters, renters' unions, and the expansion of social housing
  8. Support reducing working hours and better work-life balance
  9. Develop a worker-centred vision for a just transition for our area
  10. Support global and international justice in our council work

Signed:

Cllr Alexi Dimond, Sheffield

Cllr Martin Phipps, Sheffield

Cllr Kai Taylor, Knowsley

Cllr Scott Ainslie, Lambeth

Cllr Neil Lawrenson, Worcester

Cllr Chris Jarvis, Oxford

Cllr Michael Smith, Newport

Emma Wallace, Harrow

Rosie Rawle, Oxford

Larry Sanders, former spokesperson on Health & Social Care

Jake Welsh, Manchester

Alastair Binnie-Lubbock, Hackney

Claire Sheppard, Southwark

Graham Wroe, Sheffield

Peter Whittle, Newham

Colin Boyle, Southwark

Peter Underwood, Croydon

Ria Patel, Croydon

Ken Barker, Cardiff

Read more about the pledge points:

Councillor Pledge

Read from our blog series

Dozens of Green candidates take pledge to support workers and unions

1 May 2022

Green Party candidates have taken the Trade Union Group’s pledge to support trade unions and workers’ rights if elected as local authority councillors. […]

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View: Five reasons why we should end outsourcing

23 March 2022

By using private contractors to deliver public services, local authorities are shortchanging their communities. It’s time this was better understood writes Ellen Lees on behalf of the Green Party Trade Union Group. […]

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View: The importance of working with unions

16 February 2022

I have seen first-hand how working closely with unions can have a transformative impact, both on the ways we work and on the community around us. […]

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View: The power of local politics

8 February 2022

As Greens we know that the impact of a shift in local politics can be transformative. […]

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