Union Members Keep Focused on a Just Transition to Green Economy

AFT Vice President Dick Iannuzzi writes about the importance of a just transition to a green economy. Iannuzzi is attending climate change talks in Copenhagen, Denmark, where 40 U.S. union members are part of a 400-member global union movement delegation led by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). Read our previous blogs on the climate change talks here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

The importance of a “just transition” to a clean energy economy has been evident in labor’s approach to every aspect of participation in the climate change talks. In an attempt to influence the kind of global climate agreement that would meaningfully address global warming, we have emphasized making aggressive investments in energy intensive industries to modernize and develop capacity for new technologies. A just transition speaks to training and retaining workers, education and assistance for workers negatively impacted by climate policies. It also requires support for the research and development needed to address climate change in ways that can enhance the economy.

A meeting of the U.S. labor delegation with Energy Secretary Steven Chu returned over and over to these points. Representatives from Utility Workers (UWUA), AFT, United Steelworkers (USW), Communications Workers of America (CWA), SEIU, Laborers and other unions all demonstrated their support for the Obama administration’s overall energy/climate plan. Yet they stressed the value their industries are capable of adding to the agenda and the importance of a just transition.

Chu was pressed on resources for higher education—especially community colleges—to provide the support to educate and train (or retrain) employees for new and green technologies. He was reminded that these jobs in education are also part of the green jobs picture.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack addressed delegates on the impact of climate change in rural communities, especially on farmers, dairy farmers in particular. Noting that farmers create half as much carbon dioxide as they did in the 1970s, Vilsack outlined new industries that will further reduce carbon emissions going forward. He stressed the direct link between climate change and agriculture, and providing food for a growing population’s food supply nationally and internationally.

Again, the discussion needs to weigh the impact on local communities, industries that currently meet farmers’ needs and the workers in those industries. AFT members emphasized that empowering these rural agricultural businesses creates strong local communities to support local public schools. Again, much education and training will be required, if a just transition is to be achieved.

These talks are about climate change and how to achieve meaningful agreements. For U.S. labor, it means going back home to achieve the necessary legislation. That legislation—if created properly—can be good for the planet, good for its inhabitants and good for workers provided that there’s a just transition.

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