Today, organisers are announcing a new political education festival to be held at this September’s TUC Congress. ‘Workers Planet’ aims to unite two of the most urgent forces in British politics: the trade union and climate justice movements.
Workers Planet, set to be hosted at Brighton’s historic Old Courthouse, will bring together workers, organisers, and activists for a day of discussion, strategy, and solidarity.
The festival responds to the escalating crises of ecological breakdown and economic inequality by building a broad, worker-led coalition for a just transition.
Organisers aim for Workers Planet to go beyond speeches and slogans. The event sets out to mobilise participants to challenge disaster capitalism, confront corporate power, and build a political force capable of delivering climate justice and workers’ rights together.
Trade union correspondent at Novara Media, Polly Smythe, who is speaking at launch, says:
“The fossil fuel industry would have us believe that climate campaigners are inherently anti-worker. But increasingly, young people are pushing back against that reactionary framing, and seeking out places where the union and climate movements’ interests align. Want to save the climate? Join a union.”
The event’s core message is simple: climate justice is a working-class issue. Through workshops, campaign strategy sessions, and speaker panels, the programme will explore how organised labour can play a leading role in a transition to a fairer, more sustainable world.
Key themes include:
- Taking power from the billionaires burning the planet
- Taxing wealth, not work
- Leveraging union organising to drive decarbonisation
- Building solidarity across borders and sectors
Paula Dunne from Strike Map states:
“It is brilliant to see the launch of Workers Planet – a much needed education space providing trade unionists with political education that links workers struggle with the climate crisis and international solidarity. We need this focused organising to address these global inequalities head on, to push trade unions to be bolder on issues around the climate crisis, and to encourage young people to be more active in their union to build a mass movement for the radical change we desperately need.”
The festival invites a strategic mix of organisers, union members, and campaigners—but all are welcome, say organisers, “except the billionaires profiting from the crisis.”
Volunteers Needed: Help Make It Happen
In the lead-up to the event, Workers Planet is calling for volunteers to help with everything from facilitation and outreach to on-the-day coordination.
📅 Volunteer Info Session: Wednesday 18 June, 6:30 PM
Follow Workers Planet for Updates:
📸 Instagram: @workers_planet
📘 Facebook: Workers Planet
🐦 Twitter/X: @workersplanet25
Partner organisations include Fuel Poverty Action, GND Rising, Campaign Against Climate Change, ACORN, The Peace & Justice Project, and Tipping Point UK
