Trade Union briefing on Climate Justice in the North Sea

 

Dear Trade Unionist,

Tipping Point UK will be running a Trade Union briefing on Climate Justice in the North Sea online on Wednesday 7th June 2023 at 6.30pm. Register here.

At a time of accelerating climate change, we understand that the future can not be based on fossil fuels. To achieve climate justice, a just transition is required with the UK doing its fair share in combating the climate crisis, this means oil and gas workers, their unions and communities should be meaningfully involved in the phase out of fossil fuels and the shift to more sustainable jobs.

Meanwhile, the UK government is expected to authorise 100s of new licenses for North Sea oil and gas extraction and many trade unions, including the Trade Union Congress (TUC), still support a "balanced energy mix" that includes fossil fuels.

How, as trade unionists, do we reconcile the urgency of stopping new fossil fuel infrastructure and ensuring oil & gas workers are on board and driving the change themselves? In this Trade Union briefing, we will attempt to bring some answers to those challenges with two great speakers from campaigns who are linking with fossil fuel workers:

• Rosemary Harris from Platform is one of the authors of the 2023 report Our Power: Offshore Workers's demands for a Just Energy Transition
• Bibi Elberse from the Stop Rosebank campaign and is an organiser at Tipping Point UK

Register to attend our Trade Union briefing.

There will be opportunities to ask questions to the speakers as well as discussion groups to reflect on what we can do as trade union members to help achieve more collaboration between the workers' movement and the climate justice movement.

Thank you and I hope to see you on the 7th June,

Clara

New TUC video: plan for heatwaves, cut energy bills, & take climate action!

 

New TUC video: plan for heatwaves, cut energy bills, & take climate action!

Apr 29, 2023

The weather’s turning warmer – have you got a heatwave plan at work?  

The new TUC video and leaflet shows how union reps and activists can plan for heatwaves and cold snaps, save their workplace money on energy bills, and take climate action at work. 

Watch the video here.

• 2023 is predicted to beat heat records again – if workers struggled with hot temperatures last year where you work, this year will likely be worse. 
• Employers will be worried about the cost of keeping the workplace warm in the winter and cool in the summer – energy bills went up two- to three-fold last year and are expected to stay high.

You can protect workers from extreme heat, save energy and mobilise union members by taking climate action.

 

Read the guide here.

Did you try doing this and want to share your experience? Would you like some more support with future-proofing the building you work in? Email climate@tuc.org.uk. 

 

Anna Markova

Policy Officer

Industry and Climate TUC

LANCASTER MAYDAY

 

9th May, 19:00 - 20:30 We Make Tomorrow: The Crisis is Global, So Is Our Movement

 

As communities around the world face increasingly extreme weather events, our cost of living spirals out of control, with millions of workers on strike against pay cuts, appalling conditions, attacks on pensions, and factory closures. These issues are not only connected but are being driven by the same systems.

We invite you to join us on 9th May, 19:00 - 20:30 for We Make Tomorrow: The Crisis is Global, So Is Our Movement - an international online rally  bringing together union leaders and rank and file activists from France, Italy, Nigeria, New York, Taiwan and Ecuador to discuss how we can empower workers to tackle these issues.

Register Now: bit.ly/3n7qCUe

Warmest wishes,

Melina Dickson
Communications Coordinator
Climate Justice Coalition

SPEAKERS' CORNER: CLIMATE, COMMUNITY & COAL THURSDAY 18 MAY, 12 NOON Whitehaven

 

SPEAKERS' CORNER:  CLIMATE, COMMUNITY & COAL

THURSDAY 18 MAY, 12 NOON

 

Book this date now!!

 

Come and join us on Thursday 18 May, at 12 noon, for the first of our Speakers’ Corner events, which will explore the themes of climate, community and coal.

 

This is a chance to hear how plans for the proposed Whitehaven coal mine stack up with local and national goals to tackle the Climate Crisis, and the alternatives that exist. We’ll also explore the power of community campaigning to beat fossil fuel companies - and to secure a better future for communities like those in West Cumbria, who have been let down by the government.

 

On 18 May, our speakers will include:

·        MIKE BERNERS-LEE: author of ‘There is No Planet B’, Professor in the Institute for Social Futures at Lancaster University, and an expert on Sustainability and Carbon-Footprints

·        TINA ROTHERY: climate justice activist and anti-fracking campaigner

·        JILL PERRY: Cumberland Council Green Party councillor

·        ANNE HARRIS: Coal Action Network

·        JAMIE PETERS: Friends of the Earth

 

The talks will be followed by Q & A/ conversation; the chance to get a T-shirt with the ‘Coal Is Not The Goal!’ logo; and - weather permitting - a chance to walk the perimeter of the site and experience the beauty of the coastal path.

 

MEETING POINT: Outside the Marchon site, Whitehaven:  

Wilson Pit Road, near junction with High Road.

SatNav: CA28 9QT 54°31'25.6"N 3°35'35.6"W.

 

Google map pindrop:

https://goo.gl/maps/k5DNHPf9Azr4YoEXA

 

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This event is co-ordinated by North Lakes XR and Greenpeace activist Allan Todd - with support from West Cumbria and North Lakes Friends of the Earth, and Friends of the Earth.

 

Please visit the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/197924859760320/?ref=newsfeed

and indicate ‘Going’ if you plan to come along, so we have an idea of numbers.

 

AND...PLEASE SHARE WIDELY WITH YOUR NETWORKS!!

 

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Most don't die of mystery ailments, or in tragic "accidents". They die because an employer decided their safety just wasn't that important a priority.

 

Every year more people are killed at work than in wars.

Most don't die of mystery ailments, or in tragic "accidents". They die because an employer decided their safety just wasn't that important a priority.

International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD) 28 April commemorates those workers.

It's a time for us to come together as a movement and as a community. To remember those who have lost their lives to work, and renew our commitment to fight for the living and make work safe.

We're getting in touch because there's an event happening in your area. Click on the map to find it and don't forget to RSVP!

Workplace deaths are preventable deaths. Trade unions will continue to fight for a future where no worker must risk their health or life while doing their job.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown beyond doubt that working people suffer at the hands of unscrupulous employers.

We must remember those we have lost and organise for safer, healthier work in their memory.

Can't make it to an event?

• Share the event map with your friends, family and colleagues.
• Take a look at the resources on the TUC website.
• Find out what your union is doing to commemorate International Workers Memorial Day.

In Solidarity,

Lois,

Megaphone UK

Our Power: A Just Transition for Offshore workers, online meeting, 19 April at 13.00

 

Our Power: A Just Transition for Offshore workers, online meeting, 19 April at 13.00

GJA is pleased to host an open meeting on 19th April at 13.00 to present and discuss the important Our Power report on a just transition for Offshore workers, produced by Friends of the Earth Scotland and Platform London.

The report sets out a framework for a Just Transition that not only gives workers social, economic and environmental justice along with job security, but a say in what their future will look like, putting workers front and centre of a climate transition. As such, it is a model for workers in other industries to follow.

Co-author Rosemary Harris from Platform will be presenting the report and there will be plenty of time for discussion and debate. The meeting is online via Zoom, contact Tahirlatif51@icloud.com to register and receive the link for the meeting.