During two weeks in May this year the “Climate Jobs Caravan” visited 25 towns and cities around Britain
Introduction
Introduction
The solution to both these
crises is set out in the One Million Climate Jobs report produced by the
Campaign against Climate Change Trade Union Group with contributions from academic
specialists and the sponsorship of four national trade unions, CWU, PCS, TSSA
and UCU. As explained in the publicity for the Caravan, the Government could start
to tackle these problems by creating a million new jobs “dealing directly with
the introduction of clean sources of renewable energy and greater energy
efficiency in our buildings and transport systems. By expanding cheap public
transport, insulating our homes, and training people in green skills”. We argue that this cannot be achieved through
the private sector alone but calls for the creation of a co-ordinated National
Climate Service along the lines of the National Health Service. “All this can
be done for a fraction of the amount the Government has put into keeping the
banks afloat.”
As one of the organisers of the
Caravan, and someone who travelled on much of its southern route, I was asked
to produce a report on the tour and what it achieved. Rather than limit this to
my own experiences and impressions I decided to present it as a compilation of
the many reports that were sent in by local co-ordinators and travellers on the
Caravan as well as an interim report to the steering group of the Campaign
against Climate Change. Most important of all are the responses collected from the
hundreds of people that we talked to up and down the country.
This information will now be
used to decide our next steps in the Million Climate Jobs campaign. The
supporters of the Caravan will be discussing this over the coming weeks and you
can add your voice by e-mailing us at climatejobscaravan752@gmail.com. You can also learn more about the tour by
visiting our website at http://www.climate-change-jobs.org/caravan or the UKYCC Youth for Green Jobs blog at http://yfgj.ukycc.org/blog/?page_id=796.
What follows, then, is not just
a reminiscence but hopefully a contribution to moving the Caravan forward.
Ken Montague
for the Climate Jobs Caravan organising team
25 June 2012
2. Outline of the Caravan Tour
[Taken from the interim report to the Campaign against Climate Change
steering group]
The aim of the tour was primarily to promote the One Million Climate
Jobs report and generate public discussion (directly and through the press) of
government- created climate jobs.
Although initiated by the CCC Trade Union Group, the proposal quickly attracted
support from other organisations and individual activists in different
localities. Requests for visits by the Caravan were being received right up to
the final weeks of planning and we did our best to accommodate these. This
explains the erratic, ziz-zag route of the tour, which also resulted from our
meeting pre-arranged events, especially trade union conferences (PCS, TSSA, and
the Annual Conference of Trades Councils).
The final tour consisted of two routes, roughly speaking a northern
route (Route 1), stretching from Edinburgh down to Derby, and a southern route
(Route 2), covering locations south of Birmingham. On each of the routes the “Caravan” took the
form of a large, low-emission box van emblazoned with “One Million Climate
Jobs”, the logos of the four supporting trade unions, and a large Campaign
against Climate Change logo. The vans were equipped with PA and video playback
systems, tables and chairs, a symbolic wheelie bin prop, plus approximately
1000 “One Million Climate Jobs” pamphlets, Caravan leaflets, and literature
provided by the Greener Jobs Alliance, the UK Youth Climate Coalition (UKYCC),
and other campaign groups.
Travellers on the vans normally consisted of a driver, a navigator, and a
further passenger (usually a stand-by driver). These acted as ambassadors for
the Caravan, setting up city-centre meetings, distributing literature, talking
to the public, and often acting as second speakers at evening public meetings. City centre activities were supported by
local activists, in some instances local (mostly Green) councillors.
As well as representing the CCC Trade Union Group, travellers on the
vans included representatives of the UKYCC and the Otesha Project. National speakers were provided for public
meetings, which were organised by local activists, in many instances trade
unionists supported by socialist groups, but also members of environment
groups, local CCC networks, and the Green Party.
The Caravan was launched simultaneously from outside the Scottish
Parliament in Edinburgh and from outside the
Houses of Parliament in Westminster
3. The Climate Jobs
Caravan… On the Road!
[Taken from a compilation
of local reports e-mailed in by co-ordinators and travellers on the vans]
The Climate Jobs Caravan, currently touring the UK
This is a collection of news from the places we
have visited so far – watch this space for further updates.
Route One
Outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh,
Sarah Boyack MSP (Labour), Patrick Harvie MSP (Green) and Marco Biagi MSP
(Nationalist) and Des Loughney, Secretary of Edinburgh TUC addressed those
assembled to wave the caravan on its way. Before leaving Edinburgh
From there the northern caravan went on to Newcastle
Around 35 people met in Derby
to discuss One Million Climate Jobs and campaigning around this theme in Derby Derby
Meanwhile, about 30 people attended the Climate
Jobs Caravan meeting in Leeds .
Speakers represented the Green Party, Leeds CWU union, a local campaign against
the building of an incinerator, students from Leeds Metropolitan university,
and local socialists. Following a wide-ranging discussion, attendees agreed to
set up a campaign for 10,000 climate jobs in Leeds . There was some discussion about whether to focus on
climate jobs specifically or a wider campaign for green jobs. Speakers from the
floor argued that it was important to campaign for both, but it was climate
jobs that would make the difference to both austerity and the environmental
crisis.
Stoke-on -Trent
The following report was written by
Gareth who was travelling with the van on its visit to Stoke, his report forms
part of a fuller report written for his UCU branch on the Climate Jobs Caravan.
Thanks to Gareth for this.
Our next stop was Stoke, where we were
greeted by shop stewards from the PCS and by a couple of local councillors.
They help us pitch camp beside a pedestrian precinct. The interior of the van
is converted into a mini-cinema, with the climate jobs video showing within.
Outside, a large “political plant” is manoeuvred into place: a wheelie bin with
huge fabricated leaves and flowers emerging from it, each one painted with
climate-jobs slogans, that a Mancunian artist had dreamt up and donated. The
councillors help us distribute leaflets, all the while filling us in with
details of the local economic blight (the decimation of the ceramics industry,
the closure of the Shelton
The caravan was met in Sheffield
by activists and a local folk singer who was releasing her new record about
climate change to coincide with arrival of the caravan. There was a very good
response to the caravan during the day which was also visited by local
councillors. There was an excellent 70 plus evening meeting following time
spent with the caravan in the City centre. The next morning activists held a
conference on an economy for the 99%. More information from Sheffield
will follow shortly.
From Liverpool
Clara send this inspiring report: The Liverpool event went very well.
During the day we had a public "street market style" event with the
climate van and a marquee where 9 local groups taking part and Joining the
climate caravan stalls: PCS Union, Friends of the Earth, Liverpool Climate
Action Network, Liverpool Green Party, Greenpeace, Merseyside CND, Recycles
(and their bike doctor stall), Student Action for Refugees and the Merseyside
Recycling & Waste Authority with the "Love Food, Hate Waste" van.
We reached out to thousands of people during the day, getting many interested
in the idea of climate jobs. We also had dozens signing the petitions and
writing messages to the government about why they "want a climate
job".
We had Artemis production performing throughout the day with a giant flower on stilts, interacting with children and gaining attention from by-passers. We also welcomed the Liverpool Socialists Singers entertaining us during the afternoon, especially with their new song "no to climate change". They will keep the song as part of their repertoire (but will change main line to "yes to climate jobs"!)
We had Artemis production performing throughout the day with a giant flower on stilts, interacting with children and gaining attention from by-passers. We also welcomed the Liverpool Socialists Singers entertaining us during the afternoon, especially with their new song "no to climate change". They will keep the song as part of their repertoire (but will change main line to "yes to climate jobs"!)
In the evening, we held a meeting about fracking at the Friends Meeting House with 25 people attending (not too bad for a Saturday night with the football on!). We showed the film "fracking hell" followed with Philip Mitchell from Blackpool Green Party speaking and debate. We concluded the event by showing the short version of the "One Million Climate Jobs" film introduced by John Stewart.
Overall, it was brilliant, got local groups to work together, something we hope to sustain and got some of our PCS Green reps engaged. I am also glad to report that I am now the Merseyside TUC Green Officer.
A report from John Stewart who spoke at the meeting
in Huddersfield . There was a very good day in Huddersfield . In the morning about half a dozen
environmental and anti-cuts groups set up stalls around the caravan in
Slaithwaite which finished with a short talk from me. Then a guided walk to see
the solar panels installed on roofs and the opportunities for renewable energy
generation and tackling fuel poverty from such initiatives. Finally an evening
showing of the One Million Climate Jobs film, a talk from John Stewart and a
panel discussion. The panel included the Labour leader of Kirklees Council and
Cat from UKYCC and a trade unionist, with around 25 in attendance.
A quick report from Bolton from Martin who spoke at
the meeting in Bolton . More to follow
from local activists. Bolton meeting tonight
was very good. It was an excellent discussion. They're going to put together a
future meeting to plan activity and have some excellent campaigning ideas. Lots
of DVDs and pamphlets were sold, in part because 4 or 5 contributions explained
how good the pamphlet was. A union member from UNISON spoke about raising the motion
for One Million Climate Jobs in their union meeting and want speakers to come
and talk about the issue. Earlier in the day the report from Tony who is
travelling with the van is that the response in Bolton
was very positive, though there were several stories of "despair” from
local young people who are unemployed and hoped we were offering actual jobs.
It is the local Bolton MP who has initiated the early day motion on Climate
Jobs.
A quick
report from Stephen Hall on the Caravan's visit to Leigh town centre in Wigan
Borough.
We received
an excellent response from the public throughout the day, a few people
commenting that the proposals of the One Million Climate Jobs report aren't
rocket science and pretty common sense stuff really. Leigh MP Andy Burnham also
sent us a message saying he was very much "in support of our hard work for
this important cause"
We have
subsequently replied to him, thanking him for his support and to ask him to add
his name to Bolton NE MP David Crausby's Early Day Motion in support of the
Climate Jobs Caravan at: http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2012-13/65.
The evening
meeting at Leigh Labour Club was also very positive, and there was an excellent
discussion, with introductory speakers from the national one million climate
jobs campaign, NUT and local Green Party . Those attending agreed to a proposal
from Leigh UNITE Branch to meet again soon and to work together as a joint
trades union, community, and cross-party campaign group covering the Wigan
Borough area. Also, to work closely with others in neighbouring Bolton &
Salford local authority areas to:
(i) promote
the proposals of the One Million Climate Jobs Report,
(ii) to
oppose any expansion of hydraulic fracturing (or fracking) for shale gas and
coal bed methane, which might well be coming to our area soon with the promise
of lots of new jobs but potentially hugely environmentally damaging
consequences, which would also add to greenhouse gas emissions rather than
reducing them
(iii) to
promote locally based initiatives across our area such as community renewable
energy co-operatives, co-operative community farms & land share projects,
incredible edible and other such schemes/projects, etc, which might help local
communities, practically address the issues of self-reliance, sustainability
and climate change locally.
In
Blackpool ,
around 25 people met to discuss whether Climate Jobs could be an alternative to
Fracking. Speakers from the local anti-Fracking group pointed out the dangers
from Fracking, and argued that while Blackpool
desperately needed more jobs, fracking was not the answer, for safety and
environmental reasons. Local campaigners also discussed the potential for
working together in the future, particularly over questions of fuel poverty.
The Campaign for One Million Climate jobs visit to Lancaster Lancaster and Morecambe College Market Square Lancaster
We spent most of the day with the van parked at
Piccadilly gardens, quite a busy spot with plenty of people passing. Ewa and
others used a megaphone to put across the arguments, and we had lots of good
conversations, particularly with groups of young people, (though there were a
couple of climate change deniers to be shaken off.) Many people signed the petition, most said
they could not afford the pamphlet -except the ones Emma approached who all
coughed up! Thank you Emma- for that and for the brilliant wheelie bin flowers.
We had a good presence as fourteen people came to help at some point in the
day, and we never had less than about six on and around the stall. Two of the
volunteers on the day were new activists, full of enthusiasm. The only downside
(apart from sunburn) was that none of the invited media turned up, so only the
indefatigable photographer from the Quakers recorded the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress
in their bling.
Our two hours near the Manchester
Our cavalcade consisted of three cyclists; Critical
Mass were meeting nearby for their monthly ride round the city, but they did not
join us, despite several approaches in the weeks leading up to the caravan.
Some whom we spoke to said they would not ride with a fossil fuel powered
vehicle - a stark illustration of the
fragmentation and even hostility within the climate change and environmental
movement!
Our meeting had over 50 people, not bad on a hot
Friday night: Foe had a stall and the audience were a good mix of socialists,
trade unionists, Greens, Quakers and
others. Martin, Hannah, Karen Evans from UCU and Peter Allen from the Greens
all gave good, punchy and varied speeches . The city council leader, Richard
Leese, listed what the council have done and are planning,, notably
retrofitting council buildings, but he
was not sufficiently challenged on the inadequate scale and ambition and the
"greenwash" elements of council policy. We had not planned this
properly! However, we'll have a follow up meeting to look at what climate jobs
might be created in Manchester
Thank you to all our speakers and to all who helped
out during the day, specially Tony and Cat who had already driven the van to
Manchester and to Liz, Ewa and Hannah who had done driving and navigating
earlier in the tour.
Route Two
In London
Before leaving London
In Coventry
In Cardiff
In the evening over 40 people packed into the
upstairs room of an atmospheric pub. They included a number of members of the
TSSA union whose past president addressed the meeting. A positive discussion
ensued. As at Newcastle
John Stewart reports from Birmingham Cardiff to Birmingham
and a meeting in the splendid surroundings of Birmingham Town Hall East London .
Again, over 40 people from a range of organizations, including West Midlands
Friends of the Earth whose well-respected coordinator, Chris Crean, chaired the
meeting. The meeting included people who were doing work on practical job
creation home insulation projects. At the end of the meeting the different
organisations represented agreed that they wanted to coordinate their
activities more closely in the future.
Tom from Cambridge
From Oxford
Daniel reports: A quick note on the Oxford Oxford Wadham
College Ruskin
College
We hope that others have such stimulating events
inspired by the Climate Jobs Caravan. Our challenges in Oxford
From Norwich Lesley reports, Trade Unionists, Green
Activists, Quakers, socialists and non-aligned others were delighted to host
the Caravan at The Forum in the city centre on Thursday May 17th. There was
much enthusiasm for an idea whose time has come. The evening public meeting
generated an interesting “how to” discussion, and a mailing list of people, who
intend to take it further. It was noted that since Copenhagen UK Norfolk
The following report has just arrived from Bobby
from Southampton : I think we had a good
day. The Caravan visited various bodies involved in sustainable enterprises
then came to Guildhall Square Portsmouth
Richard Williams, the Labour Leader, to involve the TUC in their climate change panel and a member of the audience agreed to set up a community pressure group.
Richard Williams, the Labour Leader, to involve the TUC in their climate change panel and a member of the audience agreed to set up a community pressure group.
The Climate Jobs
Caravan reached Portsmouth Portsmouth
An evening meeting was attended by 15 people who included a UCU environmental rep, NUS reps, a Unison green rep, a local Lib Dem councillor, members of Portsmouth Climate Action Network, members of Portsmouth Socialist Workers Party and the general public. After talks by Suzanne Jeffery (Chair, TU Group, Campaign against Climate Change) and Hanna Thomas (Ortesha Project), an engaged discussion continued for an hour and a half. The meeting decided that future actions in Portsmouth should include: building local support for the Early Day Motion initiated by the MP for Bolton, continuing the local petition until 5000 signatures will trigger a council debate, map local industries and education providers relevant to climate jobs, engage the council to host a conference and explore opportunities to lead projects on energy efficiency and solar power (such as the projects in Wrexham), challenge the emphasis on retail for development and promote collective bargaining for community green deals.
An evening meeting was attended by 15 people who included a UCU environmental rep, NUS reps, a Unison green rep, a local Lib Dem councillor, members of Portsmouth Climate Action Network, members of Portsmouth Socialist Workers Party and the general public. After talks by Suzanne Jeffery (Chair, TU Group, Campaign against Climate Change) and Hanna Thomas (Ortesha Project), an engaged discussion continued for an hour and a half. The meeting decided that future actions in Portsmouth should include: building local support for the Early Day Motion initiated by the MP for Bolton, continuing the local petition until 5000 signatures will trigger a council debate, map local industries and education providers relevant to climate jobs, engage the council to host a conference and explore opportunities to lead projects on energy efficiency and solar power (such as the projects in Wrexham), challenge the emphasis on retail for development and promote collective bargaining for community green deals.
Ken travelled on the
Caravan for most of Route 2 and sent these snapshots of the days in Brighton and Redhill.
23 May – The Caravan in Brighton ,
partly for the PCS annual conference. We set-up with the van right on the
promenade, in an official parking space allocated to us by Brighton City
Council. The weather was glorious. Holiday-makers with ice creams mingled with
the passers-by who stopped and asked questions. Especially encouraging was the
number of eastern European visitors who took the pamphlets and told us about
their worries about climate change. At 12.30 we held a lunch-time meeting at Sussex University Brunel University ,
and Hanna Thomas, a former Sussex Liverpool . Our own Suzanne Jeffery spoke especially
well. A good day, but not untypical.
Redhill
24 May – We were up at
six to claim our spot at the market in Redhill,
booked by the local Greens. We parked the van under a tree with the full
Caravan panoply of tables, props and display stands. No public meeting that
evening but a long, long day talking to shoppers and school students and giving
out our literature. We were joined for most of the day by local Green Party
members, some of them councillors, and an activist from Redhill Transition
Town Southampton ,
was also brilliant at talking to people. A reporter from the local paper did an
interview with me and Green Councillor, Jonathan Essex, and all of us lined up
against the van for a photo-op. One woman told us, “You people bring us hope,
which is what we need at the moment.”
John Stewart writes on the final rally in London London
The
tour ended with an evening rally in central London
4. Public Responses – “Why I would like a
Climate Job”
[The vans carried large
numbers of Climate Jobs Cards which were designed to engage people in
discussion of the kind and number of jobs potentially available. People were
then asked to write on A3 sheets of paper their reasons for wanting a climate
job. These were delivered to the Department of Work and Pensions in London
I want a Climate Job
because…
·
I would like to save the planet and the animals in
the forest
·
For the young people so they can get some jobs
·
To protect my children
·
I want a job
·
Tired of dead end jobs – decent jobs, decent pay,
helping the planet
·
The youth deserve jobs, we work hard & get
nothing for it, we need the help!!
·
To save the world for the future and the kids
·
Climate change will not end without investment in
people!
·
Because it will reduce dependence on foreign /
imported fuels / be better for the UK
·
I want positive change for the future for younger
generations!
·
I want to save the planet
·
To help the environment and live in a better world
for ourselves and our children
·
To be employed and worth something in the future
·
I love the sunshine and the world a greener place
·
I want to do something socially (not just
economically) useful – to help others, to improve our relationship with the
earth, not to make money – You can’t make me!!
·
To save what we have got for future generations
·
It’s more self-fulfilling personal and overall have
more significant purpose and roll in progressing humanity forward in a positive
motion
·
The economy is stalling while the current system
pollutes the earth. It will take a lot of work on infrastructure to create
sustainable future so why not kill two birds with one stone (not literally!!)
and invest in our green future
·
There is no alternative
·
I don’t want to work for the machine or make the
problem worse
·
I don’t understand why anyone would want to work
for the big corporations that are ruining our planet
·
I love earth
·
We are killing our planet!
·
I want a nice life for my kids when I am older!!
·
It’s hard to live on the dole and for a better life
for my family
·
I want a climate job because I want water to drink
and clean air to breath
·
To assist the move to save the planet
·
It’s greener and better for the environment
·
To help to keep the planet alive for future generations
of humans and other animals of this great and only earth
·
I have a degree in outdoor & environmental
education but they are no jobs in the North
West
·
I want to ensure the future of our planet is
protected while developing a career that makes use of my passion and skills.
This would take me of the dole and end my unemployment!!!
·
Coz you are a bellend and labour should have won
legalize weed and we would have a job ok!!!!
·
It is important for future generations
·
Climate change is the biggest threat to the human
race – we need to tackle it
·
The young generation is going to be a wasted
generation and I want more for my grand children
·
It helps save the planet for the future
·
We have too many unemployed, spend wisely, create
employment, help environment
·
I have a degree in environmental management. I have
experience as a recycling office. I lost my job because of cuts
·
I would like to have my own business doing window
cleaning
·
I need a job and want a positive future!
·
We need innovation and development and these areas
to create a stable economy (but not necessarily a growing one)
·
My granddaughter could get a job because she’s got
Tourette’s
·
I want to be healthy
·
Soon it will be too late, and where else are you
gonna employ everyone?
·
It’s a natural thing to have
·
It will safeguard my children’s children’s
childrens and beyond if we act now
·
To make the environment “greener” and safer
especially for my children
·
We need to stop the amount of pollution and a more
stable climate
·
To help the ants
·
I want to change the world
·
We need to seriously invest in the future, forget
about “defence” spending and let’s make some real positive changes for
everyone’s benefit
·
Because if we could keep all the greenhouse gases
down to stop killing everything
·
There would be more jobs and less poverty, the
planet will be good for our kids and there won’t be a 2012 style end of the
world
·
I am studying environmental science at uni and
think it’s the future
·
I am concerned about the world and its destruction
·
It’s good for people to get jobs
·
I want to save the planet so the earth doesn’t end
·
I want the world to be better place!
·
Environmental awareness + responsible employment is
the way forward
·
We need to protect our climate and we need jobs
·
I do care about the future of mankind and you are
not in this, with us, together, Mr Cameron!
·
It will make the world a better place. It saves
plants, animals and ourselves. Please do something about it
·
Cos I believe in the protection of the environment
·
I want my chemistry Masters degree to do something
useful!!!
·
I have a grandson and want him to grow up in a
great planet
·
I would like to do a job which is helping to stop
climate change
·
I want to have a world that future generations can
live in
·
I am genuinely environmentally friendly and have a
passion for conserving nature and the environment
·
It’s necessary to reduce carbon emissions before
swings in climate at global level destroy the future for everybody and to help
and the disaster already witnessed by lots of poor countries already
·
It will save the bees
·
I think it’s unfair that bankers get all that money
for nothing while everyone else suffers!
·
Everything will smell nicer
·
Help the environment
·
To save the planet
·
To protect the planet of bad ozone
·
It’s a good idea and helps the environment
·
Because
carbon fuels are so last century! Wize up!
·
We
(youth of today) are the future and we need to change things together.
Future generations must have the chance to work in a positive climate.
·
It
is insane so many of us are unemployed while climate change threatens the lives
of millions across the globe.
·
I
want my children and grandchildren to have a healthy planet, and I’d quite like
to grow old without worrying about the future.
·
I
am a student studying sociology and worried about the position society will be
in from climate change.
·
Because I want to work for PEOPLE NOT PROFIT!
·
No planet, no nothing.
5. Observations and Conclusions
[Some points from the initial report to the Campaign against Climate
Change steering group.]
In practical terms, the
tour ran surprisingly smoothly given the number of last-minute decisions and
the pressures on the organisers. There were no major cock-ups and few reports
of even minor mishaps. Many events were extremely well organised and varied.
Mainstream media
coverage was disappointing. We are still awaiting full feedback on this, but
by-and-large local press coverage was patchy and the mainstream press did not
provide coverage. There seems to have been no television coverage. However, we
did get excellent responses from some of the left wing and independent press,
including Peace News, Red Pepper, Socialist Worker, and Socialist Resistance.
Engagement with the
public in city centres was very effective and encouraging. We drew the conclusion that, generally,
people are not hostile to the climate message, that they are extremely
responsive to the idea of government climate jobs, and that young people
especially are concerned about climate change.
The tour was most
successful in bringing together activists from different traditions and,
especially, in mobilising support from trade union branches and trades
councils. There was a very good response from delegates at the trade union
conferences. In some instances climate activists from different groups were
brought face-to-face for the first time. They felt that the Million Climate
Jobs campaign was a welcome and promising focus for local activities.
The proposal for a
National Climate Service caught people’s imagination. While there was
discussion and debate on the extent to which the private sector and
co-operative sector should be involved, there was little dissent that the
programme should be state led.
Very often discussion at
the public meetings showed that the people involved were thinking along the
same lines. In particular they wanted to ensure that the networks set-up around
the Caravan continued afterwards to develop local strategies. The involvement
of individuals with concerns in particular areas (eg the Cambridge Campaign to
Improve Public Transport) suggests that we could make fuller use of their
expertise. The involvement of the young people from UKYCC and the Otesha
Project was also extremely valuable, especially for addressing youth
unemployment and the benefits of Green Skills training.
The box vans were
impressive, especially when all the other Caravan accoutrements were set-out
alongside them.
On balance, the Caravan
was a considerable success. It motivated everyone involved and opened up the
possibility of new alliances. We will develop the working arrangement with
UKYCC, the Otesha Project and the Greener Jobs Alliance and ensure that they
are involved from the start in future projects.
Many local networks will
outlive the tour and suggestions for forms of local activity are likely to come
out of the planned report-back meeting. It would be useful to produce sets of
notes on developing these activities.
The “Caravan” name was
distinctive and carried resonance, and only in a few instances were people
disappointed not to encounter an actual caravan. The allusion to the
Trans-African Caravan of Hope enabled speakers to bring in the international
dimension. We would like to keep the “Caravan” brand alive.
There is scope for
further projects like this, and possibly future Climate Jobs Caravans for the
Million Climate Jobs campaign. We could respond to invitations to hold further
“Caravan” meetings or, possibly, mini-tours, eg to the South West or more
extensively in Scotland and Wales
A future national tour
would benefit from our experience this time around and from the infrastructure
that is now in place.
6. Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the Network for
Social Change for a grant of £1488 towards the cost of the Caravan tour.
In addition to the four national unions
who supported the campaign we would like to thank the following trade union
branches and trades (union) councils that have made donations:
Camden Unison
Southampton TUC
UCU London Retired
Unison Portsmouth
Unite Cardiff Health
Brent TC
East London NUT (ELTA)
UCU South Thames
SE Anglia CWU
GMB @ PCS
North West CWU Number 1
North West TUC
Liverpool UCU
Stockport Unison
Islington TC
Islington NUT (promised)
Plymouth TC
Birmingham TC
Leeds TC (promised)
Edinburgh Unison (promised)
Solihull Unison
Portsmouth TC
Manc Uni UCU
Unite Gtr Manc Social Action branch
Bolton Unison
Salford Unison
Manchester Unison
Bury TUC
Southampton TUC
UCU London Retired
Unison Portsmouth
Unite Cardiff Health
Brent TC
East London NUT (ELTA)
UCU South Thames
SE Anglia CWU
GMB @ PCS
North West CWU Number 1
North West TUC
Liverpool UCU
Stockport Unison
Islington TC
Islington NUT (promised)
Plymouth TC
Birmingham TC
Leeds TC (promised)
Edinburgh Unison (promised)
Solihull Unison
Portsmouth TC
Manc Uni UCU
Unite Gtr Manc Social Action branch
Bolton Unison
Salford Unison
Manchester Unison
Bury TUC
We would also like to
thank "Go Green" of Crewe for their
assistance and generosity in the hire and decoration of the vans.
Final thanks, of
course, must go to our drivers and navigators who gave up their time to put the
Caravan on the road.
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