Transition to a green, carbon-neutral economy, or ‘net-zero’, is the urgent challenge facing us all given the reality of climate change. Informed opinion agrees that failure to act will lead to soaring temperatures and global catastrophe. The main question is how we organise for a just transition that involves workers and their unions in the planning process and deals fairly with the burden of costs and pace of change.
This conference is designed to explore these issues in the context of UK employment relations. In the morning we focus on overview, history and challenges, particularly the meaning of a just transition, what we can learn from previous energy transitions and the role of employee involvement in the process. In the afternoon we cover union perspectives and case studies of transition in specific sectors across the UK and Europe, followed by a panel discussion and conclusions.
This conference is organised by the History & Policy Trade Union and Employment Forum, based at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London, and the British Universities’ Industrial Relations Association (BUIRA).
—
Programme
Registration: 9.30-10.00am
10.00-10.15 Conference welcome: Michael Gold (H&P/ BUIRA)
Overview and Challenges
10.15-10.45 Natalie Bennett (Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, Green Party peer and former leader of the Green Party) “Overview, the Politics of Climate Change and the Need for Transition to a Green Economy”
10.45-11.15 Rowan Conway (Deputy Director, Just Transition Finance Lab, Grantham Institute, LSE) “Beyond Reskilling: Can the Just Transition create Good Work?”
11.15-11.30 Discussion
11.30-11.45 Refreshments break
Historical Perspective
11.45-12.15 Ewan Gibbs (Senior Lecturer in Economic and Social History, School of Social and Political Studies, University of Glasgow) “From Coal to Oil, Gas and Nuclear in Historical Perspective”
12.15-12.30 Michael Gold (Emeritus Professor of Comparative Employment Relations, RHUL) “A Note on Alternative Corporate Plans in the 1970s”
12.30-12.45 Discussion
12.45-13.30 Lunch
Role of trade unions and sector case studies
13.30-14.00 Sam Perry (Policy Lead on Retrofit, Warm Homes and Green Reps, TUC) “Green Reps, Futureproofing Reps, and Worker-led Transitions”
14.00-14.15 Cliff Bowen (Executive Committee Member of Unite the Union, Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals and Oil Sector) “Jobs and the Transition to Net-zero” [On-line]
14.15-14.45 Riyoko Shibe (Researcher at the University of Glasgow and Independent Researcher for the Just Transition Commission) “Employment, Opportunity and Aspiration in the Just Transition: Examples from Scotland”
14.45-15.15 Vera Trappmann (Professor of Comparative Employment Relations, Leeds University Business School) “Green Transitions and Employment Relations: Cases from Europe”
Discussion and Conclusions
15.15-16.00 Panel of speakers
Finish: 16.00
Registration Fees:
In-person: £30
Standard online: £10
Student/unwaged online: Free
