Climate Change and Just Transition: What Will Workers Need?

The United Steelworkers Union (USW) in Canada has produced a new workshop guide to educate workers about the impact of climate change on jobs, and to better prepare them to ensure that government policies promoting a just transition are put in place. The workshop and guide were piloted at the United Steelworkers National Health, Safety, Environment and Human Rights Conference that was held in Vancouver in 2017. The workshop guide leads union members through discussion topics and activities, such as asking participants to answer the question, “What can your workplace do to combat climate change?” A main focus of the workshop is the need for a just transition to a greener economy. The full list of topics covered includes: How Climate Change Connects Us, How Climate Change Contributes to the World of Work, Employment, Forestry, Mining, Transportation, Just Transition, What Does a Green Job Mean in Relation to the Environment?, Collective Agreements, Political Lobbying, Green Procurement, Training, Employment Insurance, National Concern for the Economic Growth of Canada.