A new guide aims to assist trade unions in developing frameworks that can be used in 'just transition' plans and campaigns to protect workers who will be adversely impacted by the transition not only from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources but by the introduction of new technologies.
- The guide, A Trade Union Guide of Practice for a Just Transition, was launched on 18 October at a webinar attended by 82 union representatives from 51 countries representing the sectors that IndustriALL Global Union affiliates organise.
- The guide, published by IndustriALL with support from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, is available in English, French and Spanish.
More About the Guide:
- The guide considers contexts and realities in the Global North where automotive and steel manufacturing jobs will be lost, and the Global South where jobs will become more precarious with most workers earning poverty wages.
- The publication is a toolbox of ideas that can be adopted by the unions and “pro-workers' supporters” that include communities, civil society organisations and other organisations that are part of alliances, networks, and movements that support a 'Just Transition'.
- It has two sections on the current economic and political context; and steps that unions can follow in building strategies and plans to achieve the transition on workers' terms.
- The guide is anchored on five principles: a high bar transition, creation of decent jobs, social dialogue, creation of permanent institutions for a Just Transition, and affordable energy. Addressing gender-inequality and ending poverty are also described as key to the transition.
- It can be used for workers' education specially to build the capacity of shop stewards and is complete with implementation and monitoring tools for social dialogue, examples of what should be included in ‘just transition’ agreements and recommendations on the type of government organisations that can be set up.
- The sample indicators, timelines, and checklists are useful for trade union education while the appendix provides samples on what to include in ‘just transition’ agreements.
- The guide includes workers’ voices from IndustriALL affiliates as it includes information collected during the research phase through a questionnaire, online meetings, and interviews.
- Data collection for the guide also included information from IndustriALL energy networks in the Middle East and North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
What They Said:
Unions need to immediately start the engagement with the employers and governments and develop long term strategies and plans for 20–30 years. A ‘Just Transition’ is about social justice, decent working conditions, and better livelihoods for workers and their families as well as for communities and these are the key messages in the guide.
— Jonathan Tasini
Author
A Trade Union Guide of Practice for a Just Transition
‘Just Transition’ poses a challenge for trade unions in terms of job losses, but this should be seen also as an opportunity for job creation in renewable energy industries, automation, and digitalization including in the electronics and automotive sectors. This means trade unions must continue to demand secure jobs especially for young workers, and campaign for sustainable economies. This guide is a must read for unions as they formulate strategies and plans for the ‘just transition’.
— Kan Matsuzaki
Assistant General Secretary
IndustriALL
