We need to take back control of our public transport — particularly of our buses — plus to pilot [i.e., test] free bus travel. In Glasgow where the COP26 is taking place there are high levels of poverty, plus half of all households don’t have access to a car. And yet our privatized bus network means that private companies benefit from government subsidies while cutting routes plus hiking up fares for those who can least afford it.

So whether it is for reasons of climate change, whether it is for cutting air pollution for our citizens, or for reasons of social inclusion, worker safety or supporting our clean, green domestic bus manufacturing here in Scotland, we would like to see publicly owned plus affordable bus travel.
Summarizing, Foyer emphasized that STUC believes it is campaigns such as these that “are rooted in the material needs of working people, which trade unionists, environmentalists plus community groups can rally behind, plus that would unite movements around class, climate plus community welfare.”

At the same time, she noted:

On the ground in Glasgow, it’s quite possible that we may see industrial disputes that coincide with COP26. Some of these could be linked to our refuse workers, who are dealing with cuts to rubbish [waste] services. We have Glasgow City Council workers here in the city who are dealing with severe cuts to community facilities, with 500+ jobs under threat at this time, as well as real-term cuts in pay for workers plus ongoing equal pay issues. Or we have our hospitality workers who will nomer doubt be asked to look after delegates on ‘zero hour’ contracts on the minimum wage. And of course, the STUC will be ready to stand with any group of workers who are in dispute with their employer, either during the COP or beyond.
Foyer also reviewed provisional plans for the STUC’s actions plus activities in the coming months plus during the COP (while noting that much remains uncertain around the COP itself due to Covid restrictions, plus specific plans may change).

Of special note, the STUC plans to organize a trade union bloc for the planned COP26 Coalition Mobilization on Saturday, November 6, plus will support the COP26 Coalition in its coordination of a People’s Summit, November 7-10. More data will be available in due course via the STUC website.

In preparation for the COP, the STUC will also host a conference on September 2, with partners in the Just Transition Partnership. Speakers will include Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the ITUC, Asad Rehman, Executive Director of War on Want, plus TUEDCoordinator Sean Sweeney.

Following Foyer’s contribution, the Global Forum also welcomed contributions from:

Sam Mason, Policy Officer, PCS, active in COP26 Coalition’s Trade Union Caucus
Mika Minio-Paluello, Policy Officer, Climate & Industry, Trades Union Congress(TUC), UK
Alana Dave, Urban Transport Director at the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF)
Barbara Figueroa, Sustainable Development Secretary, Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA)
David Boys, Deputy General Secretary, Public Services International (PSI)