Steel unions agree to environmental global strategy : fight for international solutions to climate change
13 November 2008
Steel unions from around the world reached an historic agreement last week to develop a global response to climate change in the steel industry.
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" Our members in the steel industry do not want to be sacrificed on the altar of extreme green stances ," the AWU's Paul Howes told delegates from other steel unions.
" Steel plants across the globe need to be brought under the same environmental regulatory pressures.
" To close down our plants and allow other steelworks in China , Brazil or India - who are already don't meet our green standards - to take up the slack is madness.
" It will make the greenhouse gas crisis worse, not better, " Paul Howes said.
Steel Unions come together in Tokyo
To promote the interests of Australian steelworkers Paul Howes, AWU National Secretary, attended the meeting in Tokyo called by the International Metalworkers Federation Steel Action Group.
Steel unions from Australia, Brazil, India, Russia, UK, USA, and Japan met in Tokyo November 5 and 6 as part of the IMF Steel Action Group Meeting to discuss ways in which unions and the IMF can contribute to an international strategy for the steel industry in an effort to tackle the growing problem of global warming and its impact on workers.
Unions looking for a practical approach to crucial international issue
"Climate change is a vitally important issue for workers in the steel industry, it stands to affect not only our employment prospects in the future but also the environment we live in", Rob Johnston, International Metalworkers Federation director for steel said.
"This agreement proposes a practical approach that unions can advocate internationally on behalf of metalworkers."
The AWU leader, Paul Howes, praised the Tokyo conference agreement.
"Steel unions working together have the potential to campaign for domestic schemes to join up , build sectoral agreements ... all as a stepping-stone to a comprehensive global framework," Paul Howes said.
Steel unions commitments
As part of the agreement, the steel unions have committed to:
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Develop policy positions on climate change issues that link environmental and economic sustainability.
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Ensure that revenue generated by any international trading, permit or carbon tax scheme should be used to benefit the workers in affected industries, support low carbon innovation and technological development and for climate change mitigation and adaptation project.
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Advocate our position to National Governments.
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Collectively bargain with employers for environmental representatives and advocacy where we have a presence.
Concrete steps the International Metalworkers Federation will take
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Establish a network of key affiliates to work on climate change issues.
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Through the network, develop an agenda for a subsequent meeting to be held in 2009 in Asia (with a view to engaging the All China Federation of Trade Unions and its metalworking organisation on climate change issues).
Further develop the climate change policy document (PDF) and produce practical materials for distribution.
Read earlier AWU statements on this issue
National Secretary: Paul Howes