Just Transition – an idea whose time has come

The IndustriALL Coal Mining Unions

Just Transition and IndustriALL’s coal mining affiliates

IndustriALL’s global network of coal mining unions met in Delhi, India, in October 2018, to escalate efforts to achieve a Just Transition and defend coal miners’ interests in the face of challenges from climate change, Industry 4.0 and dangerous working conditions. IndustriALL coal mining affiliates from Australia, Botswana, Bulgaria, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Spain, South Africa, Turkey, Ukraine and Vietnam emphasized that a Just Transition, with guarantees of strong social protection programmes and sustainable industrial policies, is the answer to ensuring coal workers’ jobs in the face of measures to meet carbon emissions targets.

Participants said governments and employers must invest and deploy adequate resources in research and development of clean coal technologies, considering the capabilities and vulnerabilities of countries with different levels of economic development. Unions also underlined the need to assess the impacts of the technological transformations that are underway.

IndustriALL Energy Conference

Just Transition and IndustriALL’s energy affiliates

More than 200 representatives from 70 trade unions and 50 countries expressed their united determination to demand a Just Transition to protect the rights and living standards of workers as the energy industry undergoes massive changes. Meeting at IndustriALL’s World Conference for the Energy Sector in July 2018, and facing changes, not only as the result of climate change emissions targets, but also due to technological changes, privatization, precarization, and rising energy demand, delegates concluded that trade unions are energy workers’ best protection.

“We must build union power, so we can have a seat at the table with governments and companies to create sustainable industry policies at the national level that guarantee Just Transition.”

Valter Sanches, IndustriALL General Secretary

ITUC

Just Transition and the ITUC

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) unites national trade union central organizations under a single umbrella, and through them represents some 107 million workers in 163 countries. In 2018, at its fourth World Congress, the ITUC endorsed several references to the need for a Just Transition:

  • Congress deplores the massive and growing global inequality, and demands a Just Transition to a digitalized and low carbon economy
  • The ITUC demands that all transformations in the world of work take place in the framework of Just Transitions
  • Governments must raise their ambition and ensure investment in jobs and Just Transition
  • The fight against climate change requires investments in sustainable and low carbon technologies

 

Shutterstock

Just Transition gaining traction in Canada

Canada’s clean growth and climate action plan has a goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050, beginning with a phase out of emissions from coal-fired electricity generation by 2030.

Trade unions advocated for, and lead, the Just Transition Task Force for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities. Members are union and local government representatives, civil society and experts. Among other things, the Task Force will make recommendations to government on the fate of 3,500 workers in the coal-fired electricity generation sector.

The Canadian Just Transition process envisions expanding employment insurance, bridging to pensions for older workers, vouchers for training and education and an agreement from employers to retain, re-skill and redeploy workers, and grants to communities to help them develop new jobs.

IG BCE

Implementing Just Transition in Germany

 

Germany’s ambitious climate targets require 65 per cent of its energy to be supplied by renewable energy by 2030, with a reduction in emissions of more than 60 per cent in its energy sector by 2030, compared to levels in the1990s. Currently, coal-fired electricity generation produces about 40 per cent of Germany’s electricity but accounts for over 80 per cent of the CO2 emissions from Germany’s energy sector. Further complicating Germany’s plan is that it also intends to phase out nuclear power, which continues to supply about 10 per cent of Germany’s generation capacity, by 2022.

German trade unions advocated for a Commission on “Growth, structural change and employment” to design a plan to advise this process. As a result, €40 billion will be allocated over 20 years for regional development, including infrastructure. The goal is to ensure that for each direct job loss, a new and decent job is created; and that as coal fired power leaves the grid it is replaced with renewable energy (along with the necessary energy storage technologies and energy efficiency improvements). There will be a plan and a pathway for every single directly employed worker in coal-fired power plants and lignite mines, including employment in new jobs with new skills, income bridging, and bridging to pensions for older workers.

A feature of the German plan is a “no redundancies” commitment, meaning no dismissals of workers in power plants and opencast mines for operational reasons. If a job disappears, the affected worker will be placed in a new, decent job, and will be compensated in a lump sum payment for any difference in salary between the old and the new job. The package also addresses reclamation of mining areas and plants. Parts of the deal remain to be negotiated. The German state will guarantee the financial obligations of companies towards their workers, so that if companies go bankrupt the state will pay.

German unions have a long history of delivering a Just Transition to their members.

The IG BCE and its predecessor organizations have played an essential role in ensuring a Just Transition over the last 25 years, as the workforce in the mining industry has been greatly reduced. The collective bargaining process has seen innovative agreements with new workforce adjustment models.

“The Just Transition model used in the German mining industry is a great example of how such a process can be handled by unions. We commend the work done by the social partners, particularly IG BCE, during this transformation.”

Kemal Özkan IndustriALL assistant general secretary

South Africa

Just Transition demanded by unions in South Africa

On 17 November 2018, workers from the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) took to the streets of Pretoria. Angered by government plans to close coal-fired power plants, privatize energy, and award renewable energy contracts to independent power producers without a Just Transition plan, they marched to government offices where they read out their grievances.

Irvin Jim, general secretary of NUMSA, said:

“We demand a Just Transition, which will ensure that workers at coal-fired power plants who may lose their jobs as a result of the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, will be trained and absorbed into the renewable energy sector.”

David Sipunzi, the general secretary of the NUM, added:

“We call on the government to refrain from biting the hand that feeds the state. Scrap the power purchase agreement that favour private capital at the expense of Eskom.”

Spain

Just Transition agreement reached in Spain

Spain’s draft climate law seeks to achieve a 100 per cent renewable energy supply by 2050, with 70 per cent renewables achieved by 2030. Coal and nuclear power stations are to be phased out by 2030.

Spain has developed a three-part plan in agreement with the mining and energy unions, consisting of

  • a Just Transition for coal miners and communities
  • a regional redevelopment programme
  • a national observatory

Many of the workers are over 48 years of age or with over 26 years of service and will be offered early retirement. Younger workers will receive a redundancy payment of €10,000, as well as 35 days’ pay for every year of service. Additional funds will be available to restore and environmentally regenerate former mining sites; and jobs created in that remediation effort will preferentially be given to former miners. Money will be set aside to upgrade infrastructure in the mining communities, including waste management, recycling facilities and water treatment plants, utilities (gas, lighting), forest recovery, atmospheric cleansing and reducing noise pollution.

Each mining community will have a specific action plan, including plans for developing renewable energy and improving energy efficiency, and investing in and developing new industries.

Just Transition at the regional level – New York State, USA

New York State has embarked on a plan to create nine gigawatts in offshore wind generation capacity, plus retrofit every public building in the state. This plan was advocated for and supported by trade unions via Climate Jobs NY.

The offshore wind projects will offer prevailing wage rates, including health and pension, as well as other good labour conditions.

State government funds will be available for skills training with unions. There are ongoing discussions between some of the potential wind power developers and labour unions on broad agreements on labour standards through the offshore wind value chain.

Just Transition at the regional level – California, USA

The California goal of 100 per cent renewable and clean energy is supported by organized labour. Public transport in Los Angeles is supported by a coalition of organized labour and community groups.

The California legislature has tied subsidies for electric vehicles to good labour practices, again with pressure from organized labour. Decent labour standards will be part of discussions of funding for the responses to California’s wildfires.

 

Just Transition at the local level – Oslo, Norway and Vancouver, Canada

Several cities have taken steps to incorporate the Just Transition idea into municipal decision-making. The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group “connects 90 of the world’s greatest cities, representing more than 650 million people and one quarter of the global economy”.

Oslo Norway launched the Oslo Declaration on Just Transition with C40, the ITUC, and the International Transport Workers’ Federation. Meanwhile Vancouver established a Just Transition Roundtable with the British Columbia Federation of labour, and the ITUC in 2018.

Just Transition and business

The B-Team, an influential voice of business leaders who believe that businesses have a responsibility to lead the way towards a sustainable future, has developed guidelines for a Just Transition at the enterprise level. The ITUC and its Just Transition Center assisted in its development. The guidance outlines the “practical considerations, steps and processes companies should follow to ensure a Just Transition for the company’s workers and the communities where the company operates”. The B-team asserts that a Just Transition at the enterprise level is a plan based on social dialogue with workers and their unions to reduce emissions and increase efficiency while creating opportunities and optimism for workers and the communities that depend on them. The B-Team believes that acting responsibly is also good business.

Tony Maher CFMEU

Just Transition and the Australian Council of Trade Unions

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has published its proposal for a Just Transition for coal-fired electricity sector workers, and the communities that rely on them. Australia has not managed past transitions in a socially responsible manner. The aim is to avoid repeating that history. By committing to the Paris Agreement on climate change, Australia is committed to ensure a Just Transition as it decides on its Nationally Determined Contributions.

The ACTU framework, yet to be adopted by the Australian government, identifies three main elements:

  • A transition plan – ensuring that Australia’s transition is managed in a fair and just manner, where affected workers and communities are supported to find secure and decent jobs in a clean energy economy
  • A jobs plan – focusing on creating new jobs in a clean energy economy
  • An energy plan – setting out a sustainable future energy mix that ensures the affordable and secure supply of electricity

Just Transition – European unions’ mining regions initiative

In a research project, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) aimed to explore with trade unions what is concretely needed to keep manufacturing activities and jobs, while drastically reducing emissions.

Seven regional case studies were examined: Yorkshire and the Humber in the UK, North Rhine Westphalia in Germany, Asturias in Spain, Antwerp area in Belgium, Norbotten in Sweden, Stara Zagora in Bulgaria, and Silesia in Poland. These regions have similarities in terms of industrial heritage and current energy production and manufacturing industries. They each have their own characteristics due to national policy and history or geography, but decarbonisation at the scale prescribed by the European policy framework is a huge challenge which will have major effects on their industries and workforces.

The study identified several keys to success:

  • Regional strategies for a just transition to low-carbon industry
  • Acceleration of the deployment of breakthrough technologies
  • Involvement of trade unions and employers
  • Investment in skills
  • Local support for decarbonisation

Just Transition – a German trade union response to industrial transformations

Recognizing that major transformations of industrial production are on their way, four of Germany’s largest unions – ECG (railway and transport workers); IG Metall (metal, automotive, and related industrial workers), IG BCE (miners, chemical and energy workers), and IG BAU (building construction and wood workers) have agreed to cooperate to effectively defend the rights of workers in the face of technological and social changes.

Trade unions wishing to shape economic and social progress must work together more closely in the future. The foundation of their cooperation are their jointly developed positions for a “high-performance and sustainable industry in a solidarity society”. It covers topics such as Industry 4.0, renewable energy, investment, and growth. German unions have also coordinated their demands for a Just Transition.

Just Transition – what do trade unions demand?

A TRADE UNION GUIDE

What do trade unions demand?

Social dialogue

We demand a seat at the table. We demand the creation of multi-stakeholder Just Transition task forces / commissions / round tables on structural change and employment that are properly constituted and properly funded. We demand that these discussions take place at company, local, national, regional, and global levels. Social dialogue should establish basic structures and ground rules:

Sustainable industrial policies and plans

We demand that sustainable industrial policies and plans be developed through the social dialogue process in which we are full partners. Governments and employers must implement sustainable industrial policies – sustainable in all dimensions: social, environmental, and economic – at company, local, national, regional and global levels. The policies and plans must promote greener industries, and also guarantee a Just Transition for workers affected by industrial transformations.

Sustainable industrial policies are primarily about public policy in the public interest, although there is a role for corporations to play, by establishing such policies at the enterprise level. Governments must fulfill their responsibilities as representatives of their constituents.

Industrial policies versus sustainable industrial policies

Any industrial policy uses incentives and disincentives, like financing, infrastructure, taxes, to favour certain industries and discourage others. Up until now, the sustainability of the results of these policies has rarely been considered. Sustainable industrial policies simply recognize that a more sustainable industrial base, customized for every nation, region, sector, should be a goal of any industrial policy.

Sustainable industrial policies treat the environment, the economy, and society in an integrated manner. The aim must be a genuinely sustainable environment with reduced greenhouse gases, where former mining and industrial sites are restored and environmentally regenerated, where species and spaces are protected, energy and resources are used frugally, responsibly, and circularly, since there are no jobs on a dead planet. Sustainable industrial policies must be economically sustainable, increasing efficiency and productivity while creating new opportunities, while linking this to guarantees of job creation. The policies must aim for a genuinely sustainable society where technological change benefit all, wealth and income disparity are reduced, human and labour rights guaranteed, the weak and marginalized in society are protected, and there are opportunities for individuals, families, communities and cultures to thrive and prosper.

They must be based on a commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Job creation and job access

Employment is the principal and preferred way of distributing wealth in society, ensuring that individuals, families, and communities have the means to thrive and prosper. Therefore, creating decent work must be a goal of sustainable industrial policies. Decent work is defined by the International Labour Organization’s Decent Work Agenda and “involves opportunities for work that is productive and delivers a fair income, security in the workplace and social protection for families, better prospects for personal development and social integration, freedom for people to express their concerns, organize and participate in the decisions that affect their lives and equality of opportunity and treatment for all women and men.” When seeking new industries and examining the potential for decent work to be created, the entire supply and value chain must be considered. Labour rights and standards must be respected in all jobs.

As society moves towards a sustainable future, large numbers of jobs will be created but there is no doubt that some jobs will be destroyed. Workers in those affected jobs must be kept whole.

Energy

Energy is in many ways the key to the entire puzzle of sustainability. The availability of sufficient energy, reliably supplied at an affordable and predictable cost, makes the solution of all other problems possible. The lack of such an energy supply makes the sustainability unachievable.

Labour market adjustment programmes

A Just Transition would be unlike any previous transition process. Traditional top-down labour market adjustment programmes will be simply inadequate and must be replaced with worker-focused, customized solutions. Labour market adjustment programmes should take account of individual, family, and community needs and wants. Creative and worker-focused labour market policies should include an absolute right to financially and physically accessible education and training based on the principles of life-long learning and workers’ right to choose what best meets their needs and wants. This would include everything from skills training offered by unions, employers and educational institutions, apprenticeship programmes, and secondary and higher education. If a clerk wants to apprentice as a millwright, or a miner wishes to study music, this should be supported because in the end, society will benefit.

A Just Transition will cost money to implement but the payback to society will be enormous. This was proven, for example, by the unquestioned benefits that resulted from programmes to re-integrate demobilized USA military personnel following World War II. The “GI Bill of Rights” was effectively a Just Transition programme for soldiers, and the education and other programmes made available to them helped power one of the most prosperous eras in USA history.

There are options for funding it, for example by broadening the mandate of unemployment insurance schemes. It is not a matter of costs, it is a matter of priorities and fairness.

ARE WE READY?

 

Are we ready?

The International Labour Organization and Just Transition

In 2013, the ILO adopted a resolution concerning sustainable development, decent work and green jobs, and proposing a policy framework for a Just Transition.

In 2015, the ILO convened a Tripartite Meeting of Experts to review, amend and adopt draft guidelines based on a thorough review by the Office of experiences from country policies and sectoral strategies towards environmental sustainability, the greening of enterprises, social inclusion and the promotion of green jobs.

This was done with the aim of influencing the Paris climate talks, or COP21.

The resulting ILO Guidelines for a Just Transition (full title: “Guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all”; ILO document identification: wcms_432859.pdf) identifies nine key points to manage the impacts of potential environmental regulations and promote the evolution of sustainable and greener enterprises:

  1. Policy coherence and institutions (country specific)
  2. Social dialogue (multi- stakeholder)
  3.  Macroeconomic and growth policies
  4. Industrial and sectoral policies (greener jobs; decent work)
  5. Enterprise policies
  6. Skills policies (also education)
  7. Occupational safety and health
  8. Social protection policies (health care, income security, social services)
  9. Labour market policies

All of these nine key points, but explicitly point IV, incorporate the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda, for work that is productive and that delivers a fair income. The agenda includes security in the workplace and social protection for families, prospects for personal development and social integration, rights at work, including freedom to organize and participate in the decisions that affect their lives, and equality of opportunity and treatment for all women and men.

The ILO’s entry into the Just Transition debate is of great significance. It gives the concept an internationally accepted definition for the first time, as well as an institutional life within a specialized agency of the United Nations.

References to Just Transition in other texts, such as the Paris Agreement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda will now tend to automatically evoke the ILO definition, even if it is not specifically referenced. However, like all ILO instruments, the ILO Guidelines for a Just Transition must be regarded as a floor, not a ceiling, when defining a Just Transition.

27 coalminers killed in Pakistan so far in 2019

Reports of horrific fatal accidents continue to flow from the Pakistan coalmines. Most of these accidents happened in the mineral rich province of Balochistan and also Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh provinces. The year 2019 began in tragedy for coalminers, and the trend continues.

2018 was one of the deadliest years for coal miners, with 104 workers dying while earning their livelihood. From 2010 to May 2019 at least 414 coal miners were killed in about 93 accidents. These fatality figures are based on news reports and the real numbers could be much higher.

A large number of accidents happened due to gas explosions resulting in fatal burn injuries and suffocation to death. In many instances the explosions also led to collapse of the mines. In the absolute absence of safety measures, in almost every accident rescue of victims has been difficult.

Almost all victims of these mine accidents are precarious workers, who were made to work in dangerous conditions for paltry wages.  These workers do not have written contracts and usually no record of their work status or attendance register exists. No appropriate training is provided to the coal miners.

The shocking use of primitive methods of mining can be understood from the fact that workers still use caged birds to detect the presence of poisonous gas in mines.  In addition to fatal accidents mineworkers face occupational diseases such as asthma, pneumoconiosis, bronchitis and other lung diseases.

The state machinery in charge for regulating and inspecting the safety measures of the mines operations appears to have collapsed and remains as mute spectators to incessant terrible tragedies. The state machinery also suffers from inadequate staff and lack of security measures to ensure appropriate inspections.

In September 2018, the Supreme Court of Pakistan asked the provincial governments Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to submit a report, in response to a petition to investigate the deaths of coal miners and implement laws regulating mine safety. However, there seems to have been no response from these provinces. Apparently the Pakistan National Commission for Human Rights has also taken note of the accidents but the government has taken no significant action.

Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL assistant general secretary said,

“IndustriALL and its global union family are outraged that this carnage in Pakistan mines continues unabated. This is completely unacceptable for us. The new government, which has promised a ‘New Pakistan’, must immediately act by putting together all the means to improve safety and stop coal miners’ deaths. It is imperative that the government must ratify and implement ILO C 176 on safety and health in mines without any delay”.

“In March 2018 IndustriALL along with its affiliates launched a campaign for health and safety in mines. We will intensify our campaign in 2019.”

Labour reform: Mexico’s independent unions highlight progress

The reform was the subject of much debate during a series of coordination meetings held in early May as part of IndustriALL Global Union's work with independent unions, a project supported by Canadian affiliate Unifor.

The new law will make it possible to get rid of employer protection contracts. More specifically, workers have been given the right to elect their union leaders through a free and secret ballot; they must now approve collective agreements; and labour justice will be served through employment tribunals.

In meetings with IndustriALL and Unifor, the independent unions said that although the reform represents major progress, it contains certain contradictions and major challenges still remain. Certain key issues, such as outsourcing, are not covered, which means that further reforms will be needed.  Much will depend on how the new law is implemented, and this will require huge resources.

"There's no doubt that there will be a major overhaul of unions. As independent unions, we now have to reconsider our situation and organize ourselves in such a way as to prevent fragmentation and strengthen our position. We can't simply wait for everything to be resolved through government intervention. It is up to the unions to take steps to protect workers and make the reform a reality," they concluded.

They also highlighted the role played by independent unions, social activists and IndustriALL in working together to raise awareness and take united action for all workers.

The newly created federation of independent unions in the automobile, automotive parts, aerospace and tyre industries (FESIIAAAN) also held a meeting with representatives from IG Metall, Unifor, the national confederation of metal workers (CNM-CUT), the Solidarity Centre and IndustriALL. At this meeting, the unions reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening this new federation:

"Out of the 27 car plants in Mexico, only three have an independent union. For years, the independent unions have been left isolated, like black sheep. But through FESIIAAAN, we can now safely say that we have found our flock (…) and we will fight to ensure that many more workers can enjoy better living and working conditions with us," they said.

The delegation and its affiliates took part in the 1 May march, and for the first time independent and other democratic unions (UNT-NCT and CIT) marched side by side to the Zócalo main square. And for the first time, independent unions took part in the meeting with President López Obrador in the National Palace.

Speaking to the 100,000 demonstrators gathered in the square to celebrate 1 May, the international director of Unifor, Mohamad Alsadi, said:

"I'm very happy that Mexico has adopted new legislation, and I hope that the government will work with independent and democratic unions to implement the reforms."

Colombian union leaders receive death threats

On 11 May, the national leader of Sintracarbón, Igor Kareld Díaz, and Sintramienergética members, Juan Carlos Rojas, Dairo Mosquera, Gustavo Benjumea and Jairo Córdoba received a flyer containing death threats from the paramilitary group "Aguilas Negras" via social media.

The group threatened to kill the leaders for being "guerrillas disguised as workers" and accused them of wanting to impose a new form of socialism on Colombia. The perpetrators also gave the leaders 48 hours to leave the country or "suffer the consequences".

"I condemn these threats because we are agents of peace and use our union role to achieve equity and justice for workers and society as a whole. I call for our lives to be respected and for the right to union freedom to be exercised,"

said Igor Díaz.

The threats were made after the Dutch embassy and the Dutch union organization CNV held an official meeting on 6 May so that Dutch members of parliament could learn more about the situation of coal mining and coal workers in Colombia. In addition to the members of parliament, the meeting was attended by union and community leaders, and executive managers of the multinationals Prodeco-Glencore, Cerrejon and Drummond.

It's no coincidence that three of the union leaders who received death threats are involved in the current negotiations with Drummond.

The oil workers' union USO, electricity workers' union Sintraelecol and Sintracarbón – all of which are IndustriALL affiliates – issued a statement condemning the violent intimidation. They said that such threats were part of a systematic process to eliminate the opposition and union leaders in Colombia, with 262 assassinations since Iván Duque took office as president. They condemned the government for ignoring these facts and for not taking any action to protect union leaders, prevent such actions or hold those responsible to account.

IndustriALL's secretary general, Valter Sanches, wrote a letter to President Duque, in which he said that, given the long history of violence against union and social leaders in Colombia, such threats should be taken extremely seriously and with utmost concern.

He urged the president to intervene immediately to safeguard union freedom and protect the physical, mental and moral wellbeing of workers. He concluded:

"Those responsible for these threats need to be identified and held accountable. We urge you and your government to ensure that the necessary conditions and guarantees are in place to protect the lives of union and social leaders in Colombia and to allow unions to act freely.”

A trade union guide to a Just Transition for workers

"Preparing for the global transformation driven by climate change and Industry 4.0"

IndustriALL Global Union

A TRADE UNION GUIDE

What is Just Transition?

The objective of a Just Transition is to provide a hopeful and optimistic future for all workers, especially for those in industries that may be impacted by efforts to limit greenhouse gases or by the introduction of new technologies.

A Just Transition must offer a future that workers, their families, and the communities and cultures they are part of can believe in, look forward to, support and commit to bringing about. We must fight for a good future.

The private sector has a role in building a Just Transition bridge to a sustainable future. In particular with large multinational corporations the principles of sustainable industrial policies and a Just Transition should be baked into collective agreements. Acting responsibly is good business in the long term.

However, sustainable industrial policies and Just Transition are mainly about public policy in the public interest. IndustriALL rejects a purely private sector vision of a Just Transition; the casino economy has largely created today’s problems and has no answers to these questions. We will not shop our way to sustainability.

At all times, any public policy support must guarantee the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work as defined by the 1998 ILO declaration. Union members’ rights must be protected and unions must demand institutional stability – protection for the union as an institution – through the transition period.

Our demands are entirely reasonable, technically possible, and affordable.

The transition to a cleaner, more sustainable economy must be economically and socially just and fair for workers and their communities. Advanced technologies, or sustainable energy, or greener industries, must benefit everyone and not just a handful of billionaires. In an age where Oxfam reports that 26 individuals control as much wealth as half the population of Earth, there should be no question that a better sharing of the costs and benefits of change is needed.

The fight for a Just Transition supports, and is supported by, long-time union demands for strong social protection programmes (health care, income security, social services, education).

When demanding sustainable industrial policies and Just Transition programmes, political leaders must be reminded that in some ways, they are already committed to them in principle.

  • It is a key requirement of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change adopted at COP21 in 2015
  • It is the subject of the Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia Declaration adopted    at COP24 in 2018
  • It is defined in ILO’s Guidelines for a Just Transition towards Environmentally Sustainable Economies and Societies for All
  • Investment in Just Transition programmes is explained by the organization Principles for Responsible Investment in their document Climate change and the Just Transition: a guide for investor action
  • It is reflected in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals

Trade unions, too, must face up to the changes that are upon us. Industry 4.0 is being discussed – what of trade union 4.0? What do unions need to do to remain credible and relevant to present and future members? Unions will retain neither credibility nor relevance by refusing to cooperate with each other, or attempting to defend the indefensible.

Sustainability – especially the social dimension of it – is fundamentally a union struggle. No-one else has the mandate or the capacity to speak on behalf of workers, workers’ families, and the communities that depend on them. The future will be defined by the decisions taken now.

The transition to a cleaner, more sustainable economy must be economically and socially just and fair for workers and their communities.

IndustriALL Global Union

Students call for urgent measures to combat climate change in Brussels. 

SHUTTERSTOCK, Alexandros Michailidis

Climate change

Climate change is a serious threat to the well-being of everyone and its main cause is human activity. The evidence is irrefutable. Scientists of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have issued a stern warning: the world has approximately a 12-year window in which to act if we are to keep global average warming to less than 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels and avoid environmental catastrophe.

This ambitious target is affordable and technologically feasible. What is lacking is the political will to take action and a Just Transition plan to maintain social coherence through the necessary transformations.

 

COP 24 in Katowice, Poland word cloud 

The Paris Agreement on Just Transition

In 2015, the twenty-first Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Commission (UNFCCC) on Climate Change, held in Paris, France, agreed to a set of principles to address the climate change crisis. Thanks to successful interventions by trade unionists, the Paris Agreement demands a Just Transition.

The basis of the Paris Agreement is that nations must develop their own commitments to greenhouse gas reductions, but then monitor their progress and produce verifiable reports. The UNFCCC will periodically take stock of the aggregate progress and, based on scientific advice, advise member states to raise the ambition level of their commitments.

The important phrase, which appears in the preamble of the Paris Agreement, is that the Nationally Determined Contributions must “take into account the imperative of the just transition of the workforce, and the creation of decent work and quality jobs”.

This was greatly reinforced at 2018’s COP24, in Katowice, Poland. COP24 was intended to finalize the rulebook to allow the Paris Agreement to be implemented. A declaration on Just Transition was adopted – a major achievement for the labour movement.

The declaration signals a clear commitment on the part of United Nations member states to deliver a Just Transition. It will be up to the global labour movement and other civil society organizations to hold governments to their word. A far-reaching transformation of the economy is coming, and as Tony Maher, General President of the Mining and Energy Division of Australia’s Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) stated quite simply: “We can do this with justice, or without justice”. The choice is ours.

SHUTTERSTOCK

Industry 4.0

IndustriALL Global Union uses the term Industry 4.0 to describe a basket of disruptive technologies and work structures that are rapidly transforming the world of work. These include advanced digitalization, artificial intelligence, semi-autonomous interconnected machines, advanced robotics, 3-D printing, nanotechnology, advanced biotechnology, and platform work, among others. The technologies themselves are not the problem; it is the logic driving their introduction, which at this time is to reduce labour costs and labour standards.

If we can guide the implementation of these new technologies, we can create quality work with reduced working time and improved occupational health and safety. Among IndustriALL’s strategies for Industry 4.0 chief are:

  • the demand for full participation of workers as global, regional, national and company level discussions on Industry 4.0 take place
  • he protection of human and workers’ rights, particularly rights to information, training and education, and privacy
  • a Just Transition for workers, their families, and the communities that depend on them, through the transformation

Regardless of whether we take action on climate change or other environmental crises, or whether we embrace or ignore technological changes, these changes will come. A transition will take place and the only choice we have is if it will be a violent scramble for jobs or resources such as water, energy, and fertile land, desperate last-minute survival measures that completely dismiss human rights and social protection, or an orderly and Just Transition that respects and protects present-day workers while creating new decent work in sustainable industries.

A Just Transition provides a pathway to a sustainable future, in all aspects of its social, economic, and environmental dimensions. For the transition to be truly just, it must point to an optimistic future – a future that workers, their families, and the communities that depend on them can support and commit to bringing about.

"For a Just Transition to a future in which the environment is protected and the economy is thriving, workers need sustainable industrial policies, with strong social protections, and support for workers – guided by social change "

IndustriALL Global Union

Korean metalworkers fight Hyundai shipbuilding merger

KMWU contracted shipbuilding local rallies at DSME. Photo: KMWU

The KMWU, labour and civil society groups have come together to resist the merger of Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), the world’s largest shipbuilder, with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering to form a new company called Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering (KSOE).

A memorandum of understanding on the $1.75 billion merger deal was signed on 8 March after secret negotiations between HHI and the state-owned Korea Development Bank, which is the majority shareholder in Daewoo. The deal needs to be approved at an extraordinary shareholders meeting which will be held on 31 May, merging the world’s largest shipbuilder with the second largest shipbuilder by sales, creating a dominant player with strong monopoly power.

The KMWU has criticized the deal as a Korean government handout to a chaebol run by the family of Chung, Moon Joon. Instead of healthy competition, the deal would give the new company 58.5 per cent of the global liquified natural gas market, 56.6 per cent of very large crude carriers and 21.2 per cent of all outstanding ship orders worldwide, distorting the entire shipbuilding ecosystem.

The deal will spin off productive work, as well as HHI debt, to an unlisted company, while retaining the assets in KSOE. The KMWU denounced this as a plan to gouge HHI, shifting the debt into an entity that can be restructured at workers’ expense.

KMWU HHI branch chair Park, Geun-tae. Photo: Lim, Yeon-cheol

KMWU HHI branch chair Park, Geun-tae said:

“Though workers built this company by the sweat of our brow, they aim to take the cherries and stick us with the pits.

“We will spare no tactics to stop this process, including blocking the extraordinary shareholders meeting.”

Unions and other stakeholders were excluded from negotiations, and fear that the merger will spark a crisis in the shipbuilding industry, jeopardizing workers’ livelihoods and local communities across the supply chain. The Korean shipbuilding industry has already experienced harsh restructuring, with more than 100,000 workers losing their jobs since 2014. In 2017, during the process of splitting up HHI, the union collective agreement was not recognized, setting a precedent for the further erosion of union influence.

IndustriALL assistant general secretary, Atle Høie said:

“The acquisition is becoming a negative factor impacting jobs and fair trade on a global scale. IndustriALL will take action to secure trade unions' rights and social dialogue for the global shipbuilding industry for a sustainable future.”

Lunchtime rally at Daewoo shipyard. Photo: KMWU

Unilever and global unions sign agreement to restrict temporary jobs

The Joint Commitment on Sustainable Employment in Unilever Manufacturing sets out principles and procedures to prevent potential harm to fundamental workers’ rights caused by non-permanent employment.

The agreement applies to workers in over 300 Unilever factories in 69 countries, whether employed directly by Unilever or through a third-party provider.

The Joint Commitment restricts the hiring of temporary workers to short-term and non-recurring tasks in Unilever factories, and prevents temporary contracts being used to avoid regular employment.

In a win against zero-hour contracts, temporary workers will  be informed of their work schedules with sufficient notice and not be retained on call without pay.

It requires temporary workers to be given priority when filling permanent positions and promotes: equal pay for equal work; a safe work environment and safety training; and the right of workers to freely form or join a union of their choice without fear of intimidation or harassment.

IndustriALL’s general secretary, Valter Sanches, stated:

“The Joint Commitment is a victory in the fight against precarious work, and protects the rights of factory workers at Unilever’s operations around the globe. Unilever acknowledges that permanent employment is fundamental to world-class manufacturing, and this agreement will promote secure and sustainable jobs at all Unilever factories.”

IndustriALL general secretary, Valter Sanches, Unilever CEO, Alan Jope, and IUF general secretary, Sue Longley.

The agreement prescribes a process of continuous human rights due diligence through engagement and negotiation with the IUF and IndustriALL and their members, representing the vast majority of unionized Unilever workers world-wide.

The IUF general secretary, Sue Longley, said:

“The Joint Commitment addresses the many risks to fundamental rights which have become all too familiar to workers everywhere as employment has become increasingly precarious. We welcome this Joint Commitment, which is the outcome of a long process of engagement with Unilever on precisely these issues and which demonstrates their commitment to working with unions to ensure rights are respected. We look forward to continuous engagement with the company on the basis of the Joint Commitment.”

Under the agreement, Unilever recognizes the key role of trade unions and collective bargaining in protecting and enabling fundamental worker rights.

Unilever CEO, Alan Jope, said:

“Unilever has a 100-year history of commitment to labour rights and respect for employees.  This is an ambitious agreement that we will work hard to honour.”

The agreement was signed in Unilever’s London offices on 10 May by Unilever CEO Alan Jope, IndustriALL general secretary, Valter Sanches, and the IUF general secretary, Sue Longley.

Malaysian law reforms must comply with ILO Convention on Freedom of Association

Three Malaysia affiliates of IndustriALL Global Union, the National Union of Transport Equipment & Allied Industries Workers (NUTEAIW), Electronics Industry Employees’ Union Coalition (EIEU Coalition) and Paper and Paper Products Manufacturing Employees Union (PPPMEU, participated in the consultation meeting on 28 April 2019 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

 

A contentious issue was the definition of a trade union, which currently can only represent workers in a similar trade, occupation or industry. Many in the union movement want to keep this provision to strengthen industrial unions and promote industry wide bargaining.

The government proposes to change this, bringing the law in line with the labour consistency plan agreed upon by US and Malaysia during the negotiation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.

After much deliberation, the majority of participants decided to endorse this international labour standard and agreed with the proposed change.

S. Somahsundram

"“For a long time we have been advocating for ratification of ILO Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, we cannot be self-contradictory by imposing limitation on formation of unions, we must be honest in our struggle”

S. Somahsundram, executive secretary, PPPMEU

ILO C 87 stipulates that workers have the right to form or join trade unions without distinction.

Union leaders discussed anti-union discrimination in the recognition process. They shared their frustration that sometimes no workers took part in the secret ballot due to employer interference and intimidation.

To ensure employers respect workers’ right to vote, union leaders suggested a new sub section to the law, stating that the secret ballot shall be deemed invalid if no workers participate, and reset for a date not later than 30 days.

The secretary of the IndustriALL Malaysia Council, Gopal Kishnam, criticized the government’s industrial relations department for its failure to enforce the law forbidding unfair labour practices. He argued that the law was clear that the employer could not interfere in trade unions. Participants proposed that the Industrial Relations Act be amended to clarify this.

The current penalty for unfair labour practice is inadequate. Employers who dismiss, injure or threaten a worker for joining a union will be fined no more than RM 2,000 (US $480) and imprisoned no more than one year.

Participants proposed increasing the fine to RM 20,000 (US $4,800) and imprisonment of not less than two years.

Trade unionists urged the government to remove legal restrictions inhibiting workers’ right to strike, to expand the scope of collective bargaining in accordance with ILO Convention 154 on Collective Bargaining, and to refer all matters relating to the suspension of trade unions to the industrial court.

The proposals made by the participants will be submitted to the Ministry of Human Resources within two weeks.

Participants observed a moment of silence for workers who have been killed or injured in conjunction with International Workers Memorial Day

 

We will not give up on democracy in Turkey

Ruling on unsubstantiated complaints by President Erdogan’s ruling AKP party, Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Body caved in to government pressure and annulled last month’s vote, ordering a rerun for 23 June. 

Victory by the opposition in winning the powerful seat of Istanbul metropolitan mayor posed a major threat to the AKP because it could have led to change in the country. After all, Erdogan was himself once mayor of Istanbul. 

The events in Turkey are part of a global trend. A growing extreme right-wing political movement does everything within its power to dismantle democracy, as in Brazil, where the presidential elections were stolen from the people after frontrunner candidate, Lula da Silva, was thrown into jail. Democracy is being dismantled in Brazil every single day.

For trade unions, democracy is the primary space for fighting for our fundamental human and trade union rights. But it is shrinking everywhere, particularly in developing countries. Lack of democracy leads to low wages, poor social protection, increased unemployment, and discrimination against women, youth and the disabled.

There has been a severe deterioration in democratic standards and institutions in Turkey. The notion of the separation of powers between executive, legislative and judiciary is no longer in place. With the new presidential system, executive power reigns supreme.

With this annulation, Turkey cannot even guarantee free and fair elections, and the rule of law and the principle of a fair trial seem to have disappeared.

Fundamental human rights, particularly freedom of opinion, speech, press and association are in danger. Trade union rights are violated every hour. There is no guarantee of basic human rights in Turkey.

Bad governance and lack of transparency is pushing the Turkish economy towards the unknown. Opponents are persecuted and the government tries to do everything to maintain its control over the country and its population.

The Erdogan administration wants to put the burden on the shoulders of working people, but there is huge resistance in society. 

The cancellation of the Istanbul election result has provoked a public outcry. Turkey has a strong democratic tradition and a progressive civil society with a clear commitment to democracy.

IndustriALL Global Union, together with its allies, will continue to support democracy in Turkey. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our affiliates, the whole union movement and civil society fighting for their rights and dignity.

The 23 June elections are a chance for a new future.