Book review of “Workers and Trade Unions for Climate Solidarity” from Paul Hampton, Head of Research of UK Firebrigade Union (FBU)

(31 August 2015) Paul Hampton’s publication -Workers and Trade Unions for Climate Solidarity: Tackling climate change in a neoliberal world – provides an insightful insider account of the UK trade union movements engagement with the issue of climate change. This book succeeds in offering a thorough critique of the dogmatic neo-liberal and ecological modernization movements.

The author who is the Head of Research of the UK Firebrigade Union and member of the EPSU Firefighters Network combines both Marxist social and employment relations theory to develop an empirical model which sheds lights on trade union attitudes towards climate action. Plenty lessons can be drawn from this investigation into the climate politics from high level officials down to workplace climate representatives.

For those who have been involved in the UK’s One Million Climate Jobs campaign, Hampton’s exploration of issues from climate jobs to workers’ climate action will be particularly relevant and revealing, as he provides a deep discussion of the struggle of workers at the Vestas wind turbine as well as detailed case studies of the role of workplace environment reps in reducing emissions.

In short, this excellent examination of the arguments around climate change is essential reading for those seeking to engage workers and further evolve union movements in the debate.

from http://www.epsu.org/a/11655