Unions call for cross-party commission to agree climate emergency plans - TUC

Unions call for cross-party commission to agree climate emergency plans - TUC

• Just Transition roadmap to a climate-safe economy published today by trade unions
• A greener economy can be a fairer economy too, says the TUC

The TUC has today (Monday) published A just transition to a greener, fairer economy – a roadmap to meeting the needs of working people in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

It will be launched at an event this afternoon, with speakers including Shadow Environment Secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey and Deputy Chair of the Committee on Climate Change Baroness Brown.

The roadmap sets out proposals for:

1. A Just Transition Commission: a cross-party national commission including business, consumers and unions to plan a clear and funded path to a low-carbon economy.
2. Workplace Transition Agreements: to put workers’ voices at the heart of transition plans in every workplace where change is required.
3. Transition skills funding: so that every worker has access to training in the new skills needed for a low carbon economy, and guaranteed pathways to new work.
4. Employment standard protections: to ensure new jobs in the low carbon economy are not of lower quality than jobs that are changed or superseded.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“Trade unions are committed to addressing the climate emergency. A greener economy can be a fairer economy too, with new work and better jobs right across Britain.

“It’s vital to avoid the mistakes of the 1980s, when industrial change devastated communities because workers had no say. This time we need a plan that everyone can get behind, with workers’ voices at the heart of it.

“That’s why we’re calling for a politicians, businesses, consumers and unions to make those plans together, through a Just Transition Commission.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

- Just Transition roadmap: The full document A just transition to a greener, fairer economy can be found here https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/A_Just_Transition_To_A_Greener_Fairer_Economy.pdf

- Launch event: The event takes place at 2.30pm in Congress House. A small number of places are available to journalists. Please contact media@tuc.org.uk if you wish to attend.

- International commitment to Just Transition: The Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change included a commitment to a ‘just transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality jobs’. As of May 2019, the agreement has been signed by 194 states including the UK.

- Congress 2019: The TUC’s annual Congress will be held in the Brighton Centre from Sunday 8 September to Wednesday 11 September. Free media passes can be obtained by visiting www.tuc.org.uk/applying-media-or-external-visitor-credentials and completing an online form. Applications must be in by noon on Tuesday 27 August. Any received later than that will be processed in Brighton and will cost £75 +VAT.

- About the Trades Union Congress (TUC): exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together more than 5.5 million working people who make up our 48 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living.