AWU climate change campaign praised for protecting union jobs

02 October 2008

The Australian Workers' Union has been a fantastic advocate for its members during the current Climate Change debate, journalists at the National Press Club were told by ACTU President, Sharan Burrow.

She told the assembled media the ACTU " absolutely supported" the AWU's claims for compensation for emissions intensive industries exposed to the world market.

Not prepared to give up any job in our energy intensive and trade exposed industries

Ms Burrow yesterday talked about the need to act responsibly on climate change and to grow hundred of thousands of green jobs. But her speech acknowledged the need not just to find new jobs but to protect existing jobs.

" Unions are not prepared to give up on any job in our energy intensive and trade exposed (EITE) industries.

" Aluminium, cement, steel and other products will be made somewhere in the world and we want to see them made here," Sharan Burrow told her audience.

Unions, business, community must be part of a climate solution protecting jobs

" An emissions trading system will require that compensation to these industries be available to these industries but the quid pro quo is there must be a plan that drives rapid transition by business to a low carbon future that also positions our economy for global competitiveness. 'Tough love' for business is essential to generate sustainability and not simply watch taxpayer dollars and jobs disappear.

" National action- global action is vital and urgent and everyone needs to do their bit. The ACTU and the unions with business and the community must all be part of the solution on climate change."

Journalists told AWU a fantastic advocate for members

The union's campaign to protect members on the front line of the greenhouse debate got high praise when Canberra correspondents questioned Ms Burrow about the AWU demand for Climate Change job insurance for our members.

: " We absolutely support compensation for vulnerable industries, particularly those that are exposed to the world.

"But my point is we want to know whether they can do it on their own, or whether it requires an industry policy and more infrastructure support. What is it that will transition them from today to a low-carbon future so those jobs aren't just here today but are here in 10 years and 20 years and 30 years.

"Because I don't want the parent companies of multinationals saying we will take taxpayer dollars today but we won't make the effort to be here in the future and those jobs will go.

"The AWU has been a fantastic advocate for its members and indeed for the industries in which they work and we share their aspirations to see those jobs in 30 years time, not just tomorrow.

"In terms of the insurance scheme, it's a creative idea that has merit but we do want first and and foremost to have insurance that those companies will be here, those jobs will be in those communities and they will be a strong part of our economy."