How to create 1m UK green jobs

By Rory | Published: 16 October, 2009

Britain could help tackle climate change and create one million new jobs in the process.

A new pamphlet from the UK Campaign Against Climate Change trade union group, backed by the unions RMT, CWU, PCS, TSSA and UCU, says the new jobs “are involved in producing alternative energy, insulating and renovating buildings and making more efficient appliances, investing in public transport and educating and training new workers.”

Jonathan Neale, one of the pamphlet’s authors, says: “We want people to use the pamphlet to organise local meetings of trade unionists and put the argument for green jobs. We hope it will give confidence to workers facing job losses to fight.”

Read More »

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments closed

Jobs are a climate change issue

By Rory | Published: 16 October, 2009

The European Union is to support Just Transition, it seems.

A 15 October Brussels coordinating conference of unions working on environmental issues heard an EU spokesperson reiterate that Europe is 100 per cent behind the inclusion of a Just Transition clause in the agreement to be sought at the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen this December.

It’s evident the issue is not at the top of the EU’s wishlist, however. The UK TUC’s Touchstone blog reports an EU official addressing the union meeting “seemed at first to be unaware” of Just Transition. The bureaucracy, apparently, is preoccupied with the targets for carbon dioxide reduction.

Policy makers can’t just gloss over the jobs issue if they really want to secure this reduction from those industries that are heavy consumers of energy and among those producing most of  the troubling gases. Unemployment is a political issue; that makes it a climate change issue too.
Read More »

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments closed

Older workers can do green jobs on site

By Rory | Published: 15 October, 2009

There should be quotas of “mature-age” workers introduced on major government building projects in recognition of the gruelling and job threatening effect physical work can have over a working lifetime, the Australian construction union CFMEU has said.

 The union says good use could be made of older workers skills in “recycling and sustainability” and other less physical jobs. The CFMEU campaign was unveiled this week at the union’s national conference.

 Dave Noonan, the national secretary of the union’s construction division, said: “The days of mature-age workers being thrown out like broken toys must end as part of the resolution to tackle the demographic time bomb, but also as a matter of social justice.”

Mr Noonan said many of the jobs once reserved for mature-age building workers, such as gatemen, traffic controllers and hoist drivers, were being taken by labour-hire employees and backpackers. 

“Many mature-age workers could be involved in job planning, training younger workers, ensuring sites are safe, recycling and sustainability,” he said. “What we need is to ensure that a job in construction is a career for life and not one that is terminated as soon as a worker turns 50.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments closed

Union ‘green’ reps save energy at work

By Rory | Published: 13 October, 2009

The British government acknowledged on 7 October that employees have a key role to play in saving energy in their workplaces.

In its response to the findings of an official consultation into the UK’s ‘Carbon Reduction Commitment’, the government has said the assessment of good practice on “disclosure of information on energy management” should include consideration of measures to “actively engage employees to reduce energy use.”

The government’s policy decisions document notes: “Where an independent trade union is recognised for collective bargaining purposes, energy management issues are considered in these joint discussions and members actively take forward initiatives to reduce the organisation’s carbon emissions.” Read More »

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments closed

It’s not jobs or the environment – it must be both

By Rory | Published: 8 October, 2009

No se trata de empleos o medioambiente – tienen que ser los dos, dicen los sindicatos mundiales

Saving the planet can also save the communities struggling most with the economic downturn, according to global union body ITUC. “We are gravely concerned about jobs in many traditional industries that stand to be hit badly by measures to tackle climate change,” said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder.

“But there’s nothing inevitable about either climate change or job loss. Good policies sensibly applied can benefit both the planet and the population by creating millions of new, decent, green jobs.”

Read More »

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments closed

UK Green Party backs Just Transition

By Rory | Published: 7 October, 2009

The UK’s Green Party is backing green jobs and just transition, and says the green economy plan should be formulated in consultation with trade unions.

Green Party leader Caroline Lucas, speaking at a just transition workshop at the party’s autumn conference, said the issue of green jobs and just transition are “enshrined” in the party’s manifesto.

 She added: “Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue, it is very much a social issue, the most significant social justice issue that faces us today.”  She said it “is crucial to be talking to workers and the trade unions.”

YouTube video clip.  Green Party Trade Union Group’s blog.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments closed

Adopt-a-Dinosaur for clean energy jobs

By Rory | Published: 7 October, 2009

Australian union federation ACTU is urging union members to “adopt a dinosaur”, in a campaign for clean energy jobs.

The national union body says 20 years ago Australia was a leader in solar technologies. “But we failed to support the industry and our best and brightest went overseas. We don’t want to miss out again.

“Strong action on climate change will create huge jobs opportunities for Australians. We can lead in renewable energy, green building development and in smarter use of energy and resources. It will also enable Australia to be a global leader and play an active role in the fight against climate change.”

It says the green jobs push is being hampered by some politicians and business groups who “are acting like dinosaurs” by blocking policy moves or “seeking more handouts for big polluters.”

Commenting on its campaign, which includes a TV advertisement, ACTU says: “Action on climate change can help Australia grow up to a million jobs in our new clean energy industries. Action will help create a cleaner environment and a stronger economy.”

It adds: “If you want Australia to invest in a clean energy boom that creates jobs today, please donate today by adopting a dinosaur and helping them evolve. You’ll receive a dinosaur computer wallpaper.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments closed

Environmental groups back Just Transition

By Rory | Published: 5 October, 2009

Environmental groups are to back the international trade union call for a ‘Just Transition’ for those whose jobs are targeted for phase out as a result of December’s UN climate change negotiations in Copenhagen.

The 3 October issue of ‘Eco’ [pdf], the news bulletin on climate change negotiations published by a network of environmental groups, includes a column titled ‘Fair deal = Just Transition’. It says “shaping the societies of the future in a way that is socially fair and environmentally sustainable” will require  “a process of social consultation, green investment and social protection has to be put in place.”
Read More »

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments closed

The green economy must address poverty

By Rory | Published: 2 October, 2009

Check out this YouTube video clip, which says a green economy must address poverty. It highlights the oft-missed point that a green economy can’t be just for the “eco chic” who can afford to buy a hybrid car or put solar panels on their second home. It’s also for those struggling to find their bus fare or to keep a roof over their head.

[youtube Zp979n502RM]

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments closed

The human price of dangerous work

By Rory | Published: 1 October, 2009

Badly managed ‘green’ industries cause human tragedies as readily as their non-green industrial counterparts.

Bert Reeves, 62, was fatally injured when a skip lorry at a waste recycling company reversed over him at a transfer station on 21 June 2007.

Shanley and Sons Ltd was fined £80,000 and ordered to pay costs of £25,000 at a 25 September 2009 hearing in Swindon Crown Court.

 The prosecuting team with official health and safety watchdog HSE told the court the site was chaotic and congested with a lack of communication and was rife with dangerous working practices.

Bert’s widow, Frances Reeves, told the court what the firm’s neglect had meant to her family. “Life for me can never be the same. I feel that his death was so preventable. If Shanley’s had taken the time to ensure that safety rules were in place, that the yard was being managed so that people were out of the way when vehicles operated, then Bert would not have been able to have been killed.”

 She added: “As a family, we believe that if there is any good that can come of this, it will be that we’ve helped to spread the message that waste and recycling sites are incredibly dangerous places…

 “If managers of these sites listen to this message, and act, hopefully we can stop other families from being ripped apart. Nobody should have to go through the things that we’ve been through.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments closed