Polanski unveils radical workers’ charter to protect people before profit

The Green party launched its Workers’ Charter 2026 tonight at the People’s History Museum in Manchester. Zack Polanski opened the event with a wonderfully passionate call to build a system that works for the workers and not the wealthy few. Polanski’s powerful call to finally level the playing field, reinstate workers’ rights and to unite trade unionists under the Green banner was refreshing to hear.

Polanski’s common sense politics

The rally took place tonight on International Labour Day (May Day), Friday 1 May 2026, and the announcement could not be more fitting. The historic venue was perfect for the launch of the Workers’ Charter and speakers such as Hannah Spencer, a proper working-class MP, helped to hammer home the importance of its launch.

Polanski, a Salford-born leader, brought a grounded energy to the room. He spoke with the authenticity of someone who understands the city of Manchester. The atmosphere was electric as union representatives and active strikers took to the stage and hammered home just why the Green party’s Workers’ Charter is so important.

A £15 minimum wage

The party is pledging a £15 minimum wage for all workers regardless of age by 2027. This also comes with a commitment to achieving a higher real living wage.

The Workers’ Charter also includes:

• Pay justice: A 1:10 pay ratio within all organisations to cap executive greed. Think of how quickly working-class wages would go up if a CEO could only earn just over £100 an hour?
• Public sector pay: Guaranteed pay rises to match inflation as a minimum, and opening the door to pay restoration for all.

Polanski’s charter — stronger rights from day one

The Charter wants to build on the current Employment Rights Act, acknowledging it is woefully inadequate. The Greens proposed a total ban on fire and rehire, and zero-hour contracts. And let’s face it, it’s fucking long overdue. Pledges for ‘strong rights’ also include:

• Worker equality: a robust, single worker status to tackle multi-tier workforces.
• Work/life balance: More statutory holidays, more and fairer parental leave, and the right to off when you’re not on the clock.
• AI justice: New laws to protect workers from being replaced by technology. And a national strategy to ensure any gains from new tech are shared with workers.

Collective power

Polanski told the audience that workers deserve real protection and dignity at work, something that we are severely lacking. He vowed to lift the disgusting anti-union and anti-strike laws that have muzzled the working-class since 1979.

The Workers Charter also demands:

• Full ERA: Fast and strong implementation of the whole Employment Rights Act from union access to workplaces to electronic ballots to guaranteed.
• Second ERA: A new Act to go further to strengthen our rights. The Greens want to ban unfair dismissal practices from day one, ban fire and re-hire and zero-hour contracts outright. They want to bring back strong collective bargaining, including sectoral bargaining and the right to strike without barriers.
• Unchaining the unions: Scrap all anti-union and strike laws introduced since 1979. The Greens want to strengthen our right to strike, picket and protest, including solidarity action for political and social causes.

The Green party seems to be stepping into the shoes of what Labour used to be, the true party of the working-class. Polanski seems to be leading the charge in common-sense politics. But the question remains, will this be enough to prise the unions from the clutches of Starmer’s Labour? I really hope so.

Featured image provided via author