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Climate Change
Shifting Union Policy
Taking the Climate Change debate to Members and
Industry
OverviewChallenges facing mining
What has union done?
Communications objectivesBring miners and power workers with union - guard against scare campaigns
Articulate independent voice for workers
Building credibility - internal and external markets
What works in our demographic?
Conclusions
Challenges facing CFMEU
We’re killing the planet!...discuss options
Industry image already poor
Workers out of sight, out of mind
Fertile ground for skepticism
What has the Union done?1990-1996 represented
ACTU various tripartite working groups 1992 Union at Rio
conference1997 Union at Kyoto -
support for Kyoto2001 wrote ICEM CC policy 2007 led ITUC delegation
in Bali - 170 million workers 2008 Chair ACTU
Environment Group2008 Poznan2009 Copenhagen
More evidence of Climate change
Gore, Stern & IPCCNew mines become
controversialMiners demonised
2006 - explosion of public awareness
Ratify Kyoto Emissions tradingIncreased MRETInvestment in low
emission coal powerDemand mgt programsAction in transport,
agriculture etcShareholder activity
$100KHuge member support
2006 CFMEU Policy
Lobby ALP to adopt policyShareholder campaign$1M ad campaign to protect against scare campaignBuild relations with enviro groups - Al Gore trainingEnsure member supportUNFCCC involvement
2007 Climate Change Campaign
Post 2007 Member Survey
Climate Change93% support union taking positionMost want environment and jobsHalf felt victimised by anti coal groups73% saw union TV adsHalf discussed TV ads at work83% supported TV ads
2008 Alliances
CCS Alliance - accelerate CCS technology• Aust Coal Assoc• World Wildlife Fund• The Climate Institute•CFMEU
Southern Cross Climate Coalition - social justice, green jobs and renewables•Aust Conservation Foundation•The Climate Institute•Aust Council of Social Services•ACTU
The Energy Debatesuch as it is
“Mine’s better than yours!”
“CCS/geothermal/solar thermal/tidal power will never work!”
“Uranium is the only answer”
“Renewables can’t deliver baseload”
There is a similar debate about different forms of sequestration
The truth is we need them all
Manufacturing conundrum
By 2050, world will use more aluminium, steel, cement, timber products, plastics and chemicals - not less - and more transport and energy
when all countries have a carbon price, the location of industry is unaffected – until then carbon leakage/job loss can occur
unions support range of measures to get through next decade while global deal implemented
ETS amendments
industry /tax policy/border adjustments - competitiveness
sectoral agreements
world has to have more products, commodities, energy and transport with less emissions
Communication challenges for unions
•Garnaut
•Green paper
•EITE
•Generators
•Sectors
•Environment Groups
1. It’s all so bloody complex
2. Maintaining independence3. Scare campaigns
Stuff that works
Independence!! Involvement at early
stages critical Mandates essential Personally front meetings Stay ahead of game - no
surprises
the message that works Technology and investment created the old economy Technology and investment will drive the new economy New industries will be sponsored for rapid growth Most existing industries will be modified Many of the new jobs are the old jobs Genuinely new jobs must be decent jobs
Unions have been active on climate change for a long time
Engagement with environment groups ,business and unions is critical for government
Our message has been that all industries should take responsibility and we need all technologies
Debate should be about how we grow, not whether we grow
Polling consistently shows vast support for this position
Community acceptance possible if properly led by government and stakeholders - should be bipartisan
Unions have a key role in generating community acceptance
Conclusion
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