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Campaign against climate change!

24 June 2008

Around 500 trade unionists gathered on 9 February 2008 for a trade union conference called by the Campaign Against Climate Change. This conference, believed to be the first of its kind, came about to address the eminent and serious threat that climate change poses to our world and to begin to develop a strategy to build a mass movement around the issue through the trade unions. Tracy Edwards, Young Members Organiser.

Political and trade union speakers including Frances O’Grady TUC (Trades Union Congress), Caroline Lucas Green Party, Matt Wrack FBU (Fire Brigades Union), Chris Baugh PCS, Linda Newman UCU (University and College Lecturers), Christine Blowers NUT (National Union of Teachers) and Michael Meacher MP opened the first plenary session at this trade union conference.

One of the biggest threats we face

 
All the speakers identified climate change as the biggest threat we face in society today. They recognised that it is no longer adequate to blame and put pressure on individuals, by initiating measures for us to all make changes in our lives, whilst big business and governments continue to get out of taking any responsibility.


Matt Wrack, FBU (Fire Brigades Union) general secretary, made the clear connection with the attacks on our public services. More working class people are suffering from flooding etc whilst cuts are made in the resources firefighters need. He said that climate change was the most visible example of our market going mad under capitalism.


Our assistant general secretary Chris Baugh said that PCS are committed to promoting a green agenda in the workplace. The government and employer will say a lot about the issue but it is down to the trade unions to enforce changes.


The plenary session finished with Michael Meacher MP re-iterating the point that it is the poorest and most vulnerable in society who are suffering from climate change. He said that massive investment is needed to deliver more sustainable energy. Pressure had to be put on the airlines, replacing short flights with funding for high-speed trains. We should begin to embarrass big business and have a more ambitious climate change bill.

Putting climate change high on the agenda


Most of the speakers correctly said that it is the system which needs to change and public ownership of transport and energy needs to be a priority. But there was still an element of tackling climate change through reform and demand.


It is important for campaigns such as this to give a lead on the urgency of the situation and to act as a uniting organisation to build a mass movement. But serious discussion and involvement from trade union members from the bottom up is needed if we are to attract the majority of people towards this campaign.


Tony Kearns from CWU (Communication Workers Union) said that trade unions who are not on board now will have to be in the future. The debate around jobs and the environment has to stop – you can have as many causes as you want but they will mean nothing if the environment is crumbling.

The closing plenary agreed a resolution for trade unions to fully endorse the aims of the Campaign Against Climate Change and to develop a trade union response.

First of it's kind

 

This was the first conference of this kind. There were many good speakers and the majority of trade unions were represented.  The clear message from this conference was we must now campaign for the public ownership of transport and energy utilities and for the means of production to be put in the hands of the majority.
 

 

The campaign against climate change are organising a 'camp for climate action' on 3rd August 2008.  Details can be found on the campaign against climate change website

 

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