ETUC Position on Equipping workers with necessary skills for the green transition
Adopted at the ETUC Executive Committee meeting of 16-17 March 2022
Background
Question 1: The EU addresses sustainability challenges with cross-border implications in dedicated multilateral fora (e.g. on climate change and biological diversity) and via its autonomous measures (including legislative ones). Against this background, what should be the contribution of the EU trade policy to promote the transition to a greener, fairer and more sustainable economy? How should the implementation and enforcement of TSD chapters in FTAs complement and support the EU’s multilateral and autonomous initiatives?
The European Commission published today its new Adaptation Strategy designed to increase the resilience of the EU against climate change consequences.
While the European Trade Union Confederation strongly welcomes the idea of developing a new EU Adaptation Strategy, we regret to see that the one proposed by the Commission today fails to protect European workers against climate change consequences.
A new EU adaptation to climate change strategy for the world of work
ETUC Resolution adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 28-29 October 2020
Summary of key messages
The Polish government has reached a deal with trade unions to gradually close the country’s coal mines by 2049. NSZZ Solidarnosc SGIE, OPZZ ZZG w Polsce and Kadra agreed on the start of negotiations to set out the way forward.
This guide has several objectives: first of all, it provides a clear definition of the concept of adaptation to climate change. Second, it aims to give the reader a clear idea of how climate change consequences will affect the different European regions and sectors. Third, it aims to explain what effects climate change will have on health and safety of workers. Finally, it details a set of recommendations and looks at existing practices to allow trade unions to take action on adaptation at the various levels.
Brussels 11 June 2020
ETUC resolution on European Green Deal initiatives: Climate Law, EU Sustainable Investment Plan, Just Transition Fund Regulation and new EU Industrial Strategy
Adopted at the ETUC Executive Committee of 9 June 2020
Summary of key messages
Trade unions across Europe have been launching action this month to support climate change campaigners.
The Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL), Confédération générale du travail (CGT) in France, Nordic unions and the British TUC are among the many organisations supporting the global climate action.
In Germany, trade unionists have been urged to take holiday or use their lunch breaks to support the #FridaysforFuture climate action
"We will call for participation in the events. It's about taking a stand – we need a much more consistent approach to climate change policy," said Frank Bsirske General Secretary of Verdi (United Services Trade Union).
Spanish trade union CC.OO wants to make ecological transition and climate change a central feature of debate in the workplace.
“The future is either ecological or not at all, because there will be no jobs on a dead planet," warned Mariano Sanz, CC.OO Secretary for Environment and Mobility. The union wants to be active not only in raising awareness, but also in proposals for change, because the involvement and participation of workers and workers’ representatives in companies is key.
The General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation Luca Visentini, the General Secretaries of the Italian trade unions CGIL, CISL and UIL – Susanna Camusso, Annamaria Furlan and Carmelo Barbagallo – met with Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio in Rome today.
A guide to a ‘just transition’ to a low carbon economy is published by the European Trade Union Confederation on May 15.
The 48 page document ‘Involving trade unions in climate action to build a just transition’ contains
Commenting on the European Commission’s proposals for the Multiannual Financial Framework, European Trade Union Confederation Confederal Secretary Thiébaut Weber said:
“We cannot accept the proposal to cut cohesion funding – and therefore probably the European Social Fund – by 7%. This sends out an appalling signal to European citizens when the ink on the proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) is not yet dry.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) today called on EU leaders to support a budget for working people and not only increases in defence, security and external border control spending.
EU Heads of State & Government meet on Friday to discuss political priorities for the EU’s multiannual financial framework (MFF) after 2020.
The ETUC urges EU Presidents, Prime Ministers and Chancellors to look beyond the “narrow set” of European Commission “options” presented in their Communication on a “New and Modern” MFF last week.
Bonn COP 23 to Katowice COP 24: ETUC priorities for international climate negotiations in 2018
Adopted at the Executive Committee of 13 and 14 December 2017
Context
The European Commission’s ‘Platform for Coal Regions in Transition’ is a good start to try to ensure that climate action leaves no worker behind says the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes a Vatican Conference – today and yesterday - on labour and the workers’ movement (trade unions) being at the core of development, and on work having to be good for everyone.
An ETUC delegation, led by General Secretary Luca Visentini, attended the “Labor Unions International meeting: from Populorum progressio to Laudato si” organised by the Holy See in the Vatican City.
Despite the irresponsible attitude of the US government, the UN COP 23 climate conference, which is ending today in Bonn, has confirmed that climate change is a major priority for countries, cities – which are playing a leading role in implementing climate action – civil society, business organisations and trade unions, says the ETUC.
ETUC Resolution on the follow-up of the Paris agreement on climate change - ETUC views on COP 23
Adopted at the Executive Meeting of 25-26 October 2017
Don’t lose Paris sense of urgency!
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to put industry back on the agenda. Its renewed Industrial Policy Strategy is a first concrete answer to the European social partners’ 2016 joint declaration calling for an updated industrial policy.