Category Archives: Uncategorized
We told you lead was dangerous
Earlier this month, this blog reported that although more than half of the lead we use worldwide is recycled, something presented by the industry as a major green advance, production of the known poison, carcinogen, neuro- and reprotoxin is increasing (Lead – a case of right answer, wrong question). And those workers involved in recycling activities […]
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged hazards magazine, Health and Safety Executive, lead, Recycling, sunsetting chemicals Comments closed
Green builders don’t build in safety
Not enough is being done to ensure green jobs are safe jobs, a US union health and safety expert has warned. Walter Jones, a safety specialist with the union-run Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund of North America, told delegates to the American Public Health Association annual conference in Philadelphia this week that the shift toward greener […]
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged APHA, Green building, Laborers' Health and Safety Fund of North America Comments closed
All gas and no gains?
As the global climate change circus departed its latest stopping point, the global union federation ITUC said failure in this year’s negotiations should not be an option. Speaking as government representatives left Barcelona’s final preparatory negotiation before the December Copenhagen climate change conference, ITUC stressed the need for an ambitious, fair and legally-binding agreement. “Leaders […]
Lead – a case of right answer, wrong question
Green initiatives like recycling can have remarkable successes. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they are good for the planet, communities or those working in ‘green’ jobs. A 2009 report, ‘World Mineral Production 2003-2007’ [pdf], notes that more than 50 per cent of refined lead is now produced from recycled material, dramatically reducing energy consumption during […]
Making sure ‘green’ means ‘safe’ at work
Everyone likes to talk green jobs – they sound good and who wants to be a climate spoiler? But when you add in that the jobs should be “good”, “decent”, “safe” and green, there’s a distinct quietening of the chatter. In fact, while many talk a good green job, in practice it’s a load of greenwash. In the latest […]
Australian workers could get skilled up
Australia’s unions are urging the country’s parliament to support government plans to match worker skills to jobs in new, green industries. The draft National Green Skills Agreement announced by the government on 23 October was welcomed by national union federation ACTU. The agreement sets out to equip thousands of apprentices in emerging and existing industries […]
Simple enough – cut emissions and transform jobs
The transition to a low-carbon economy must guarantee employment and result in the development of new, decent jobs, global industrial unions have said. An October climate change meeting convened by global unions ICEM and IMF – the union federations representing most of the world’s unionised workers in the traditional metal, chemicals, mining and manufacturing jobs […]
So, where’s the green jobs gender agenda?
There’s nothing green about inequality, unions and social justice campaigners have argued. And a new union report advances the idea, warning that gender equality, commonly an afterthought in employment and work quality policy discussions, needs to be front and centre in the green jobs debate. Women workers and green jobs: employment, equity and equality, published in draft […]
Everyone in Europe wants green jobs, but…
Europe appears to be in the grip of a rare consensus when it comes to green jobs – unions want them, employers want them, governments want them. But we still appear to be some distance from an effective strategy to turn good intentions into good jobs. Greening the European economy: Responses and initiatives by Member […]
And now in video – the union of green