Blog & Debate
Welcome to the GJA blog space. Here we host critical debates on the key issues we face, as an organisation, as a movement of workers, and as a society.
Scotland launches its Third Just Transition Commission – England waits for its First
Stephen Smellie, UNISON, is one of two trade union members of the third Just Transition Commission to be set up by the Scottish government. The other is Richard Hardy of Prospect. Co-Chaired by Dave Reay formerly of Edinburgh University and Satwat Rehman of One Parent...
For workers, the climate crisis is here: TUC Congress 2026 report
Photo: Hert Niks on unsplashBy Tahir Latif GJA Secretary If the heatwaves, wildfires and the coming El Niño-generated floods in the U.K. have achieved anything, it’s to focus the trade union movement less on a ‘future’ threat to our communities and more on the need to...
To the apocalypse! And beyond! Possible futures in and beyond UN climate modeling …
Coastal Erosion at Atherington by Chris Richardson WikimediaBy Paul Atkin The new modeling now being used by the UN Panel on Climate Change to map possible futures has shifted its methods. I'm going to attempt to get behind the jargon to spell out what the projections...
Save ourselves from the climate crisis or prepare for war – it’s either, or…
Please note: the figures in these graphics refer to the budget of the EU as an institution. The budgets of individual member states are far higher.By Paul Atkin This graphic from Stop Rearm Europe deserves wide circulation in the climate, labour and anti war...
Motion on a transformative approach to the fossil fuel energy crisis
Photo by Emma Renly on UnsplashMotion on a transformative approach to the fossil fuel energy crisis This draft motion - which can be used to generate debate and commitment to action in union and political party branches - has been worked on and had input from...
How hot is too hot?
Photo by Rajiv Bajaj on UnsplashBy Paul Atkin Mad dogs and Englishmen, go out in the mid-day sun Noel Coward. The heatwaves in May and June have so far caused 2,700 excess deaths. There are likely to be more before Summer is out. And with the current El Nino giving a...
Drill baby drill or cry baby cry? The energy sector and long-term job security
Photo by Julia Taubitz on UnsplashIntroduction Climate change is already ruining millions of working-class lives across the globe, and increasingly threatening our homes, health, food supplies and safety here in the UK. Radical changes are needed to stave off the...
In the Red Heat, a Transformative response to the war and energy crisis
Image by https://www.flickr.com/photos/garryknight/By Paul Atkin Trump’s war on Iran has already raised the price of energy, food, and other essentials and overlays the crises caused by climate change. This is likely to become more acute as gas and power prices will...
Though cowards flinch? No retreat on climate policy!
Image by Claudia Hinz from PixabayBy Paul Atkin Forces on the right of the labour movement are seeking to use the impending Labour leadership contest to attack what's left of Labour's commitments to a cheap sustainable energy policy. In this they are the auxiliaries...
Reform run councils do not represent local opinion on climate
Image by Mick HolderThe increased number of Reform run Councils reversing climate emergency declarations and rowing back on limited but essential climate mitigation and adaptation measures should not be confused with popular support for them on this issue; even in...
Record temperatures in spring – ‘glorious weather’ or a wake-up call?
Image by dae jeung kim from PixabayBy Graham Petersen The last week of May has broken temperature records in the UK. UK records hottest spring day as heatwave hits 35C This has been overwhelmingly treated as a good news story where we can bask in weather that is...
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