TRADE unionists have been urged to seize the moment as they celebrated the “reawakening of the working class around the globe” at the Scottish Morning Star conference.

STUC general secretary Roz Foyer set the challenge as she opened Sunday’s conference, which took place online and at the trade union organisation’s headquarters in Bridgeton, Glasgow, themed on Scotland in a world of crises: war, hunger and climate change.

Several speakers expressed concern about a growth in militarism in the West.

Jenny Clegg of CND argued that the TUC position on increasing defence spending risked playing into the Tory “creating jobs, saving lives” rhetoric, while noting the “sinophobia” and racism she sees as inherent in the AUKUS military alliance.

Colin Mack, of Paisley and District Trades Council, brought the fight against racism closer to home, as he was welcomed to the conference live from the ongoing anti-fascist action at Erskine.

RMT’s Gordon Martin took the opportunity to attack the Tory Strikes Bill, saying that “if you can’t withdraw your labour, you’re a slave” and looked to France for inspiration in “how to hold government to account.”

Labour MP John McDonnell joined economist Michael Roberts in raising concerns around a fragile banking system, saying “banking should be a public service not a private enterprise.”

Mr Roberts called for action locally, nationally, and internationally as “capitalism has passed its use by date.”

After a conference dominated by the myriad crises of capitalism, Stephanie Martin of Wyndford Residents’ Union demonstrated that victory was possible as she outlined how her community, facing district heating bill hikes that would have brought 100 per cent fuel poverty to the area took on Scottish and Southern Electric and won.

She said: “The price-gougers can only be defeated by the organised working class.”