At the PSA Congress in September, hundreds of delegates heard outgoing President Benedict Ferguson recommit the PSA to climate action.
As the PSA Eco Network gears up to make this a reality, convenors of the Eco Network share why climate change is a union issue, and what unions can do for the environment.
Climate issues are worker issues
Climate change will directly impact community and public service workers. Many of the impacts of climate change – increasing resource scarcity, collapsing biodiversity, increasing severe and unusual weather, rising sea levels – will directly impact our lives, and also our jobs. “We will be on the frontlines of responding to these challenges,” says National Eco Network Convenor Briar Wyatt. “Ultra-rapid climate change, and a chaotic transition, will make community and public service jobs harder and more precarious. Action on climate change is a fight for a liveable planet, and secure jobs.”
Climate change matters to workers just like any other form of justice and human rights. North Island Eco Network convenor Sarah Roberts points out that, “Good working lives has always been about more than just pay increases. Fair treatment at work, decent hours and conditions, health and safety, rainbow rights, upholding Te Tiriti, dignity in work – climate action is just another item on the long list that unions fight for.”
We have the power
Collective employment agreements are an opportunity to bind employers and workers to take climate action.
Climate-positive clauses are already happening in all different sectors. Crown Law’s collective agreement binds the organisation to be carbon neutral by 2025, to have dedicated sustainability advisor time, and to work in partnership with the union to reduce carbon emissions. Many organisations have flexible working provisions, which reduce transport emissions. Auckland Council has formally agreed to work with the PSA to implement Auckland’s Climate Plan. Christchurch Airport has to regularly update the PSA about their progress on emissions.
Lead the change
Workers shouldn’t just wait for climate clauses to happen.
“People need to speak up to get climate action into collective agreements,” says PSA National Eco Network Convenor Martin Graham. “You need passionate people on each bargaining team, and you need the general membership to push these clauses into bargaining claims and support them all the way to ratification.”
Ready to make it happen? Let your local delegates know that climate action is important to you, and join the Eco Network through your MyPSA portal. You can get in touch at eco@psa.org.nz.