Trade unions push for greener jobs

Trade unions are set to become a major force in the drive towards a greener economy, according to environmental lobby group Green Alliance.


The organsition has published a report looking at how trade unions can use their collective bargaining power to create greener and fairer jobs, and cites waves already made by the US union movement in securing funding from President Obama’s economic recovery package to do just this.

It also charts how British unions have been working to ensure that the green jobs promised by Government are actually delivered.

It also argues that in the face of declining membership the green agenda can inject fresh relevance to the unions.

The report, Working on Change was published at the TUC congress on September 16.

TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, said: “This year’s Congress has called for a really profound shift in economic policy priorities to meet the challenges of a completely new economic era.

“Our economic success heavily depends on the successful transition to a low carbon economy, as we adapt to climate change. The Green Alliance report shows how wide and deep trade union support for green and decent jobs now is.”

Green Alliance director, Stephen Hale, said: “This is the obvious step for the modern trades union movement in the UK.

“We have been excited by the growing engagement and commitment of the unions here to the opportunities presented by the sustainable economy agenda.

“The US is already showing what can be achieved by working together. This potential and scale of the possibilities to reshape our economy for the better is enormous.”

Sam Bond

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