12 November, 2008IMF affiliates lead fight for international solutions to climate change in the steel industry.
JAPAN: Affiliates of the International Metalworkers' Federation from both the developing and developed world reach an historic agreement last week to develop a global response to climate change in the steel industry.
Metal unions from Australia, Brazil, India, Russia, UK, USA, and Japan met in Tokyo November 5 and 6 as part of the IMF Steel Action Group Meeting to discuss ways in which unions and the IMF can contribute to an international strategy for the steel industry in an effort to tackle the growing problem of global warming and its impact on workers.
"Climate change is a vitally important issue for workers in the steel industry, it stands to affect not only our employment prospects in the future but also the environment we live in", said Rob Johnston, IMF director for steel. "This agreement proposes a practical approach that unions can advocate internationally on behalf of metalworkers."
As part of the agreement, unions have committed to:
- Develop policy positions on climate change issues that link environmental and economic sustainability.
- Ensure that revenue generated by any international trading, permit or carbon tax scheme should be used to benefit the workers in affected industries, support low carbon innovation and technological development and for climate change mitigation and adaptation project.
- Advocate our position to National Governments.
- Collectively bargain with employers for environmental representatives and advocacy where we have a presence.
Concrete steps the IMF will take include:
- Establish a network of key affiliates to work on climate change issues.
- Through the network, develop an agenda for a subsequent meeting to be held in 2009 in Asia (with a view to engaging the All China Federation of Trade Unions and its metalworking organisation on climate change issues).
- Further develop the climate change policy document and produce practical materials for distribution.
To download the full text of the agreement, please click here.