We know that many of our branches and representatives will be out campaigning for a Labour government and heavily engaging in the work of your local CLPs.
The purpose of this LTB is to announce that the New Deal for Workers Campaigning weekend has been set for June 22nd and 23rd. This weekend will see many activists and trade unions out campaigning for Labour and specifically campaigning on the workers’ rights policies Labour are bringing forward.
As the founders of the New Deal for Workers campaign, it is crucial we see a big turnout of CWU representatives and members across the UK over the course of this weekend.
Additionally, branches will be aware that we have three CWU members standing for Parliament. It is absolutely crucial we deliver a massive show of support for these individuals from now until the election, but particularly over the weekend of June 22/23.
On this basis, we are calling for as many volunteers as possible to campaign for the re-election of Tahir Ali MP on Saturday 22nd June in the Birmingham Hall Green constituency. Please contact tahiralicampaigns@gmail.com for more information and timings.
Also on Saturday the 22nd June, we call on CWU members to help elect Lee Barron as the MP for Corby. For more information and timings please contact corbyrural@gmail.com.
And on Sunday 23rd, we will be focusing on a huge turnout in Blackpool South to help re-elect Chris Webb MP. Please contact cawebb@cwu.org for more information and timings.
Delivering the New Deal for Workers is crucial for our members. Part of that strategy has to be putting our members in Parliament.
Please support the campaign weekend on June 22/23. If you have any other questions, please contact jdunn@cwu.org
A major interview with general secretary in today’s Times. Please share.
Times interview with Dave Ward
Royal Mail: Football fans’ model will be union’s pitch to Kretinsky
CWU wants a collective employee trust to have part-ownership of the business
Imagine a company where the workforce has part-ownership via a collective employee trust, with the promise of input into how the business is run and a share in profits in return for a pledge to end industrial strife.
This is the vision of Dave Ward, general secretary of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), for his 110,000 members who make up the vast majority of the Royal Mail’s 130,000-strong workforce.
It is an unachievable mission amid the mutual fear and distrust that exists, Ward says, under the current management led by Keith Williams, chairman of Royal Mail’s parent company International Distribution Services.
It is, he adds, why he is leading talks with Daniel Kretinsky, the Czech billionaire who would be the new owner of IDS and the centuries-old national institution of the Royal Mail.
Rather than a sellout to an owner from a faraway country of which we know little, Ward says it is a one-time opportunity to hold Kretinsky to his word to be a “for-life” owner of Royal Mail — and one that should be grasped by Labour if it wins power as expected next month.
Speaking before a meeting with Kretinsky next week, Ward, 64, a former telegram boy who has led the CWU for the past nine years, said he has been forced to change his pro-nationalisation stance on the Royal Mail by the “political and economic realities”.
Instead he is lobbying Kretinsky, 48, who last month had a £3.6 billion takeover of IDS recommended by its board, and the Labour leadership to look at a “new business and governance model” for Royal Mail.
“The current IDS board has no strategy to make the Royal Mail successful,” Ward says from his office at CWU headquarters in Wimbledon, southwest London. “The members are demoralised because of the way they are being treated, attacked and alienated by management in a way we have never seen before.”
The only option, he says, is to lobby Kretinsky for “radical change”. Ward has already met Kretinsky’s representatives. “We laid out our concerns that the offer of contractual obligations are not broad enough, do not go on for long enough and aren’t strong enough.”
Those promises, variously consisting of five, three or two-year pledges, are: not to unilaterally end the universal nationwide service; not to load the company with debt; to retain the Royal Mail name and UK headquarters; not to raid the £1.4 billion pension surplus; to continue to recognise the trade unions; to abide by pay and conditions agreements; and not to asset-strip the company by selling off Royal Mail’s profitable European business GLS.
“We made it clear we are looking for the safeguards that the workforce want,” Ward says. “We said we believe the current business model is broken but that there is a chance to align the interests of workers, customers and the company for the benefit of the UK economy.
“There needs to be investment in the workforce and infrastructure to enable the company to adapt to changing market conditions. The company has to grow revenues and get into the next-day parcels delivery market in a much more serious way. And that unless the workforce are on board, Royal Mail won’t succeed.”
Their response was interesting, he says. “They said getting the union and the workforce on board is absolutely critical and they want to work with us.”
Ward will go into that summit with Kretinsky calling for the creation of a “collective trust” with a yet to be determined percentage ownership stake in Royal Mail. It is a model that is seen at some German football clubs and in Britain at Exeter City, where major strategic decisions can be vetoed by a supporters’ trust.
“Our fear has been the issue that has caused all the disputes in recent years: that IDS management want to take the parcels away from the letters, and outsource parcel delivery to a different company with a different workforce,” Ward says.
“Daniel Kretinsky has said he wants to own Royal Mail for life. We’re saying we’ll match that under a different ownership model and new business model.”
The CWU does not want token boardroom employee directors but representation in decision-making boards from the top to the bottom of the company, across regions and covering remuneration and pensions. It is, Ward says, about creating trust with local workforces.
“The percentage ownership stake needs to be significant and meaningful,” he says. “But ownership in itself isn’t enough. The governance structure has to change and we’d be looking for a mandatory profit share subject to achieving certain goals.”
Ward acknowledges that all this is ambitious and requires a leap of faith from all parties. “We know we’ve got a lot of work to do on this and we’re not saying we’ve got all the answers.”
He says the the biggest red line of all is that IDS management has recommended Kretinsky’s promised obligations without consulting the workforce.
The default munition of any powerful trade union is industrial action. But the CWU has another weapon, the post-Brexit legislation of the National Security and Investment Act, which gives ministers power for the first time in a generation to block overseas takeovers.
“Kretinsky must know there is a lot of opposition to the sale of Royal Mail, a legitimate concern across the UK over whether it is right that an equity investor from overseas who we know nothing about is going to own Royal Mail,” Ward says.
The CWU has had “productive conversations” with the Labour leadership. “Labour should explore with Kretinsky and with us a different model,” Ward says, to get away from the status quo of management/workforce relations — which he characterises by bringing the knuckles of two clenched fists together.
“The structure we are talking about is alignment that would revolutionise the relationship between the company and the trade union.
“No one can guarantee that Kretinsky or Labour will do this. But there is a lot in this for Labour if they are willing to work to get to a model that could be good for the UK economy, workers and customers.”
We will be sending you out a limited print run (approx. 10 per cent of branch membership) of this Edition, which should reach you by the end of this week for distribution to your reps to take into workplaces.
You also have the link to print immediate copies and/or to print off more copies.
It is crucial that branches are distributing the monthly bulletin in every workplace. The purpose is to ensure members are receiving written content from the union directly into their workplaces, so your role in that process is integral.
Thank you for your support and please contact us with your feedback on the Bulletin.
ROYAL MAIL GROUP: CONFERENCE MOTION 11 – CONFIRMED DATES FOR PENSIONS TRAINING
Further to LTB 188/24 dated 5th June. The planned one-day (approximately 10.30am – 4pm) training seminars across the UK, based upon the Postal constituency Divisional structures, have now been confirmed as follows:DateDivisionTuesday 2nd JulyMidlandsThursday 11th JulyNorth Wales / North WestTuesday 16th JulyScotlandThursday 18th JulySouth EastTuesday 6th AugustSouth CentralTuesday 13th AugustLondonThursday 15th AugustAngliaThursday 22nd AugustSouth Wales / South WestWednesday 28th AugustNorthern IrelandFriday 30th AugustNorth East
The venues for the above will be finalised at the earliest opportunity and will be communicated via a further LTB. Paul Kennedy, Divisional Representative and RMPP Trustee, will be running the training sessions and the invitation to attend is extended to all Senior Field Officials and their respective Area Reps from across RM, Engineering, Fleet and Parcelforce as well as Branch Secretaries. As this important training relates directly to a generic matter, the training sessions cover the membership across the Postal Constituency. As a result, Reps can attend the most convenient location for the training.
NETWORK WINDOW – EXCEPTIONS PROCESS – PROCESS FOR COLLEAGUES RAISING CONCERNS IN AREA DISTRIBUTION IMPACTED BY NETWORK WINDOW
Dear Colleagues
Please find attached the agreement for raising an exception within Local Distribution due to changes to attendance times linked to the Network Window changes. The process attached is only available for the current Network Window activity and is not considered to be an ongoing policy. It is only valid for the deployment of Network Window, including any further attendance time changes that may impact on people following the Air Hub closures, e.g., in Exeter and Inverness 2025.
As part of this process, we have been able to ensure our members have a fair and reasonable opportunity to request support through this period of unprecedented change where an employee’s personal circumstances change and impacts their ability to work their attendance pattern. Members can make a request for Flexible Working through the normal BAU (Business as Usual) process, this remains unchanged.
Process
Local Distribution sites will advertise their agreed duty sets and colleagues will have the opportunity to express a preference for their duty allocation. MtSF resourcing principles will apply. At the conclusion of the re-pick process, if colleagues are matched to a duty that they would find it difficult to work due to responsibilities in their personal lives, then they can raise a flexible working request.
In recognition of the degree of change and by exception the following measures will enhance the normal BAU process:
In view of the time constraints between re-pick and deployment of the new duties, anyone who raises a flexible working request will not be required to move to their new duty times until the Flexible Working request has been heard, including an appeal if applicable, provided always that the employee co-operates and engages with the flexible working process and raises the request within 5 working days of being allocated the duty
We have also secured an appeal process which is detailed below:
Appeals
Through this process anyone whose Flexible Working request has not been granted via their line manager, can appeal in writing within 3 working days of the outcome of their request being communicated. The appeal will be heard by an independent manager within 7 working days.
The appeal will be paper based if the change to duty is 30 minutes or less. If the change is 31 minutes or more then the individual has the option to request that the appeal is heard via an MS Teams virtual meeting.
The department would apologise for the very late notice however these have been extremely difficult discussions. However, given that commitment in the BRT&G it was important to secure an opportunity for our members to be treated fairly through the impact of change linked to the Network Window. We believe that the attached document will support our members through the ongoing change.
Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: sbanbury@cwu.org quoting reference: 054.06.
Further to LTBs 159/22 and 138/22 dated 14th July and 16th August 2022, detailing the revised agreed arrangements for the bonus schemes for our members working in Customer Experience, Finance and HR / Legal Services, which are based on Royal Mail’s overall business performance. As a reminder, the CE and Finance bonus potentials were increased from £1,000 to £2,000 and HR / Legal Services from £750 to £1,500. A weighted scorecard is used to determine a final percentage outcome and I am pleased to report that this year’s bonus will be paid using the multiplier for Central Functions which is 78.7%. The total amounts payable are therefore as follows:Potential78.70%HR /Legal Services£1,500£1,181CE£2,000£1,574Finance£2,000£1,574
Additionally, LA1s within Logistics are also entitled to an annual bonus and a 79% calculation (based on the Operations multiplier) has been used, which provides for a bonus payment of £514 from a potential £650.
The above payments (pro-rata for part-timers) will be made with June salaries to those who have been in post since 1st January 2024 and who are still employed at the payment date.
Given last year’s bonus payments were zero due to Royal Mail’s overall business performance and the impact on the scorecard, I am sure our members working in these Admin functions will be pleased with this news. As a consequence of this positive development, Branches are urged to use this information to engage in membership recruitment across the applicable Admin functions.
Prostate Cancer – Raising Awareness and Campaigning for a National Screening Programme
As we approach Men’s Health Week 2024 with the UK theme “Lets Talk Prostate” this is an update report on the research, campaigning and raising awareness work undertaken by the Health, Safety and Environment Department and in particular the call for a national screening programme.
As CWU Branches, Regions and health and safety reps will well know Prostate Cancer is an important subject matter that the Health, Safety & Environment Department has done a huge amount of work and campaigning on over the years to raise awareness amongst our Regions, Branches and members.
Prostate Cancer is a subject which is also personally dear to our heart as two former CWU National Official colleagues and long-standing friends died of Prostate Cancer; Dave Ward former CWU Education and Training Officer lost his battle against prostate cancer and passed away on 1 February 2020. Former CWU National Romec/RMP&FS Rep and Chair of our London Postal Engineering Branch, Cyril Onyejekwe, passed away on Sunday 10 March 2019 after a long battle with Prostate Cancer and myelofibrosis.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, and rates are on the rise. By 2030 its forecast that there’ll be 1.7 million men living with prostate cancer in the UK. It’s already killing hundreds of thousands of men each year, and those who survive face serious side effects.
The Health, Safety & Environment department has worked hard on awareness raising, producing LTBs, Fact Sheets, Posters and a Black Workers Fact Sheet/Leaflet/Flyer has been produced, as requested by the Black Workers Conference which was very well received indeed – Black Workers being higher risk etc. (See copies attached).
The first Prostate Cancer Campaign we in the Health, Safety & Environment Department ran was our “Water Works” Campaign with Posters and Leaflets in 2003.
We ran our first ‘Movember’ Help Save Men’s’ Lives Campaign in 2016 Highlighting Prostate Cancer, Testicular Cancer and Suicide Prevention with posters, leaflets and pocket cards.
In 2017 we published LTB 165/17 – launching a CWU ‘Prostate Cancer Awareness Campaign’ in conjunction with ‘Prostate Cancer UK’. (Copy attached). This included;
Five pages of general information plus,
Diet and physical activity for men with prostate cancer,
Know your prostate – A guide to common prostate problems,
Prostate cancer – A guide for men who’ve just been diagnosed,
What is my risk of prostate cancer? Guide.
In 2017 we repeated the ‘Movember’ Prostate Cancer campaign with an extensive, detailed report and Guidance in LTB 597/17. The Guidance on Prostate cancer links in the LTB are;
Also in 2017 we ran our “Seven Health Checks Men Must Do” Campaign which focused on Prostate Cancer.
In 2019 we ran the CWU ‘Prostate Cancer and Your Risk’ campaign with a New CWU Leaflet & Information for Black Men following CWU Conference Motion 47(2018), launched at the CWU Black Workers Conference which was exceptionally well received. Figures state that black, Caribbean and mixed-race men are more likely to die from prostate cancer than any other group of men. (See Leaflet pdf copy attached).
Branches and Regions will be aware that ‘Calling on the UK Government to introduce ‘Prostate Cancer Screening’. As well as raising awareness amongst members of Prostate Cancer, its signs, symptoms and to encourage members to get checked and PSA tested where appropriate is already CWU Conference Policy through the carriage of Composite Motion 36(2022) and Composite Motion 68(2016), Motion 47(2018) and this year Motion 12(2014) was carried.
The Health, Safety and Environment Department has pursued and investigated the issue of Prostate Cancer Screening with national subject matter experts and in fact we had correspondence and discussions with Laura Kerby CEO, Jonathon Waxman OBE President and Jonathan Kay Health Information Team Lead of ‘Prostate Cancer UK’, the main Charity in this area, to seek their expert advice and check on the up to date medical and research situation regarding Prostate Cancer Screening and in particular the suitability of using the PSA test for this purpose. A copy of the detailed written advice and response from ‘Prostate Cancer UK’ dated April 2022 is attached. This has been previously shared with Branches and Regions involved in past Conference Motions to update them.
See also attached the Gov.UK – ‘UK National Screening Committee’ advice and recommendation which is supported by all the main Cancer charities and Royal Colleges
In short ‘Prostate Cancer UK’ along with the ‘UK National Screening Committee’ and other medical experts and stakeholder organisations do not currently recommend screening for prostate cancer. This we are informed, is because the PSA test is not accurate enough to detect prostate cancer that needs treatment and the potential harm from PSA-based screening programmes. PSA testing in the UK is only recommended in people suspected of having prostate cancer and symptoms. In terms of a national screening programme for prostate cancer, they confirmed that the PSA test is not a suitable screening tool, due to its low specificity and sensitivity. A man’s PSA can be high when he does not have cancer (false positive), conversely he can have a low PSA when he has clinically significant cancer (false negative). The PSA test can’t differentiate between low-risk cancer that may
never cause any harm, and aggressive disease that requires immediate treatment. Although, clinical trials have shown that using the PSA test to identify prostate cancer within a population can save lives, screening using the PSA tests also increases over diagnosis, overtreatment and invasive biopsies.
(Note: The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) in part of Public Health England and advises ministers and the NHS in the 4 UK countries about all aspects of population screening and supports implementation of screening programmes).
At 2022 CWU Conference, the above information was presented to CWU Conference and after the debate on Composite Motion 36, which the NEC supported with the qualified support, representatives of the two Regions and four Branches (Midland Regional Committee, Eastern Regional Committee, South Midlands Postal, Scotland No.2 and South Central Postal) were invited to meet outside Conference to be briefed on the Prostate Cancer UK advice with copies distributed to those delegates who attended.
There is no screening programme for prostate cancer currently because unfortunately we don’t have a reliable enough test to use, and the PSA test available at the moment, referred to in the motion 36(2022) has significant risks, so the experts tell us. We’re informed by the experts that the PSA test can help doctors to work out how likely a man is to have prostate cancer but this test is not reliable enough to use as part of a national screening programme. Ongoing research is seeking to find a reliable test suitable for screening.
UK National Screening Committee:
The UK National Screening Committee has decided that the disadvantages of regularly screening men using the PSA test outweighs the possible advantages as it could lead to over-diagnosis and over treatment of ‘harmless’ Conditions. The Charities (Prostate Cancer UK and Cancer Research UK) supports this position on screening but the charities also both support and monitor developing research into screening for prostate cancer.
The UK National Screening Committee was established in 1996 and since April 2013 it has been part of Public Health England. It consists of a number of eminent medical experts and advises Government Ministers and the NHS across the four UK countries on all aspects of screening policy and it supports implementation by co-ordinating the screening of people for medical conditions within the United Kingdom. It assesses the evidence for programmes against internationally recognised criteria, using research evidence, economic evaluation and pilot programmes.
The “Stockholm-3” model for Prostate Cancer detection:
In a widely publicised development (see attached Daily Mirror News Clip), the “Stockholm-3” model for Prostate Cancer detection has been claimed to offer a solution with potential to improve the accuracy of prostate cancer diagnosis for men across Europe and around the world. Professor Henrik Grönberg a Swedish doctor, cancer researcher and professor of cancer epidemiology developed the new diagnostic blood test process because he said the major problem with PSA screening is too many unnecessary biopsies and inaccurate diagnosis. Stockholm 3 is available in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark, with plans to launch across the rest of Europe and the world. The technology is not currently used in the NHS.
The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have considered the “Stockholm-3” model for prostate cancer screening and subsequently published a Medtech innovation briefing [MIB303] on 9 August 2022 (copy attached). Four experts were drafted in to look at “Stockholm-3” and contributed to the development of the briefing along with Prostate Cancer UK. They were; Dr John Bolodeoku, consultant chemical pathologist, Mr Aniruddha Chakravarti, consultant urological surgeon, Mr Freddie Banks, consultant urologist and Prof Sanjeev Madaan, consultant urological surgeon, along with Prostate Cancer UK. The experts concluded that there were advantages and potential disadvantages with the “Stockholm-3” model and All experts recommended additional research.
One expert felt that there was a need for long term (over 15 years) longitudinal follow-up data in people who had testing with the ‘Stockholm 3’ technology and who did not have an MRI or biopsy. Another expert noted the need for research to see how the technology works in Black, Asian and minority ethnic populations. The expert also acknowledged there is an ongoing study in the US which might address this issue. One other expert recommended that additional research in the UK setting was needed and stated that the issue which would prevent adoption of the technology would be the additional cost of it and the unclear benefits in the NHS setting.
Prostate Cancer UK saw some benefits of Stockholm 3 in respect of resulting in quick or accurate care provision also preventing harm from unnecessary biopsies but noted the potential disadvantages of the technology which may include possible side effects and practical difficulties, for users or carers. Regular use of this technology within the NHS could create delays within pathology which could delay a person’s diagnosis. The cost of the Stockholm 3 test is also significant and would be an issue for mass use within the NHS.
‘The REIMAGINE study’ and ‘The LIMIT study’
I attach for your interest and information two recent reports on two interesting and promising ‘Prostate Cancer screening studies’, the ‘The REIMAGINE study’ and ‘The LIMIT study’. Both involve top expert Consultants, Doctors, medical imaging experts. These reports explain well the current situation and problems with existing screening and diagnosis and of course the need to develop more reliable and consistent diagnosis methods on which to base a ‘National Screening Programme.’
Luminal Index MRI Identification of Prostate Cancer (LIMIT Study) Supported by Cancer Research UK the team involved have developed a new MRI technique that can allow prostate cancer to be detected using a 5-minute scan as opposed to the current 35–40-minute MRI scan. As this novel scan is simple, cheap and has good performance, it can be delivered within the community setting even using an MRI scanner located in a travelling van. We believe that providing scans in the community setting could allow men, who would otherwise not be scanned, the opportunity to have their cancer detected earlier. This research is being done on the basis that MRI is the best available test for the detection of prostate cancer, but at present this can only be provided in a hospital setting. Whilst MRI is being used, there are still many men (about 16%) that are being diagnosed with late-stage disease and almost 12,000 men dying per year from prostate cancer in the UK. Clearly, these men are not being scanned early enough in the time-course of their disease for treatment to make a difference. If we can detect their cancer earlier, we think we might be able to reduce deaths from prostate cancer. If LIMIT is successful, a national-level trial would also be required before prostate cancer screening becomes standard clinical practice.
Professor Mark Emberton (UCL Surgical & Interventional Science and consultant urologist at UCLH), senior author of the study, said: “The UK prostate cancer mortality rate is twice as high as in countries like the US or Spain because our levels of testing are much lower than other countries. Given how treatable prostate cancer is when caught early, I’m confident that a national screening programme will reduce the UK’s prostate cancer mortality rate significantly. There is a lot of work to be done to get us to that point, but I believe this will be possible within the next five to ten years.”
Conclusion:
In respect of the CWU’s support for a fit for purpose, universally recognised, accurate and effective screening programme, we are ‘pushing at an open door’ right now. What we need is a medical and scientific breakthrough by those working hard to find one. Hopefully, it will come sooner rather than later. In the meantime the advice available from the NHS and the Charities, ‘Cancer Research UK’, ‘Prostate Cancer UK’, ‘Tackle Prostate Cancer’, ‘Orchid’ etc. we are all looking forward to the day of a breakthrough and an effective, accurate test, fit for purpose and a UK wide national screening programme.
The HS&E Department fully supports the need for a national screening programme and will continue working on this, supporting the call for continued and increased investment and support to find and deploy an effective reliable screening test which the scientists are still searching for and which the charities are supporting.
In the meantime the CWU will continue working with the Prostate Cancer Charities, NHS and the employers to raise awareness of Prostate Cancer amongst our Branches and members, encouraging members to be aware of the signs and symptoms of Prostate Cancer and not to delay going to their GP to get checked out and PSA tested as necessary and if recommended by specialist urologist consultants and doctors in order to diagnose conditions requiring treatment in order to catch it early and in doing so successfully treat the condition at an early stage when the cure success rate is at its highest.
Attachments:
Jonathan Kay Prostate Cancer UK Advice
UK – UK National Screening Committee Recommendation
LTB 165/17Diet and Physical Actibity for Men with Prostate Cancer
Know Your Prostate – A Guide To Common Prostate Problems
Prostate Cancer – A Guide For Men Who’ve Just Been Diagnosed
What is my Risk of Prostate Cancer
CWU Prostate Cancer Awareness Black Workers Leaflet
Prostate Cancer Screening – Daily Mirror 18 May 23
NICE Briefing on ‘Stockholm 3’ Prostate Cancer Screening Aug 23
Regards and Best Wishes.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
National Clean Air Day – Thursday 20 June 2024: Theme “Together for Clean Air:”
Introduction:
In the UK, air pollution is the largest environmental risk to public health. Clean Air Day is a global, annual, air pollution campaign in the month of June. It encourages everyone to think about what they can do to help improve air quality. Clean Air Day is in its eighth year, and the central aim is to help drive a positive shift in public knowledge and action. Clean Air Day is a chance to find out more about air pollution, share information, and make the air cleaner and healthier for everyone.
Clean Air Day takes place on the third Thursday in June and is the UK’s largest air pollution campaign, engaging thousands of people at hundreds of events across the nation, and reaching millions more through the media.
The CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department is pleased to once again be supporting and promoting Clean Air Day.
Led in the UK by the charity ‘Global Action Plan’, the sustainability charity that co-ordinates Clean Air Day, the UK’s largest campaign on air pollution, Clean Air Day brings together communities, businesses, schools, Unions, campaign groups and other organisations plus the health sector to:
Improve public understanding of air pollution.
Build awareness of how air pollution affects people’s health.
Explain the easy actions we can all do to tackle air pollution, helping to protect the environment and peoples’ health.
In past years, around 4,000 organisations and hundreds of thousands of individuals have taken part in hundreds of events across the UK. The campaign previously generated more than 2000 media items, and 45,000 social media posts. 95% of people surveyed supported the view that air pollution should be a priority for the UK.
2023 Theme – “Clean up our air to look after your mind this Clean Air Day”
‘Global Action Plan’, importantly chose the 2023 ‘Clean Air Day’ campaign theme as “Clean up our air to look after your mind on Clean Air Day”, drawing attention to the growing evidence base that shows air pollution can impact on the mind and brain health. By supporting Clean Air Day and supporting the initiative’s aims every day, we are collectively driving forward the need for politicians to make the right radical decisions on improving air quality and reducing the risk of developing mental health and brain conditions.
Cleaning up the air is good for people in many ways: it not only benefits physical health and the environment but can also protect our mental and brain health. The physical health impacts of air pollution – such as asthma, COPD, bronchitis, heart disease and cancers etc – have been recognised for decades. More recently, researchers are beginning to understand how air pollution can affect the brain and the mind.
People who breathe polluted air are more likely to develop mental health and brain conditions. Being exposed to air pollution is linked to mental health and brain conditions such as depression, anxiety and dementia. When a person breathes polluted air, small pollution particles can enter through the lungs, into the blood stream and can reach the brain.
2024 Theme – ‘Together for Clean Air:’
This year, Clean Air Day will be raising awareness that cars and vans are the biggest source of toxic chemicals (NOx) in our air and urging people to use their voices to call on
politicians to clean it up.
This year’s campaign will encourage people to visit the Clean Air Hub to:
Learn: find out more about how air pollution impacts our mental, physical and planet’s health.
Act: walk, wheel or use public transport to reduce your exposure and contribution to air pollution. If you drive, try leaving the car behind on Clean Air Day and one day every week.
Ask: get in touch with your local councillor to ask them to support clean air measures that make it easier for you to breathe clean air.
Air pollution harms the health of millions, but there are lots of simple things people and organisations can do to improve air quality and reduce our exposure to air pollution. Clean Air Day is a chance to raise awareness and find out more about air pollution (both indoor and outdoor), share information with friends, family, union members and work colleagues, and help to make the air cleaner and healthier for everyone.
According to official UK Government statistics, every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK. The annual mortality of human-made air pollution in the UK is roughly equivalent to between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths every year. It is estimated that between 2017 and 2025 the total cost to the NHS and social care system of air pollutants (fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide), will be £1.6 billion.
The World Health Organisation and the UK Government recognise that air pollution is the largest environmental health risk we face today. Poor air quality causes heart and lung diseases, is linked to low birth weight and children’s lung development and may even contribute to mental health issues.
The World Health Organisation states that breathing cleaner air reduces the risk of stroke, heart disease, lungcancerand respiratory diseases such asasthma and COPD.
Air pollution can harm every organ in the body and shorten lives, contribute towards chronic illness and put people more at risk from infections when polluted air is breathed in as it can inflame the lining of the lungs and move into the bloodstream, affecting every organ in the body. This can lead to lung disease, heart disease, dementia and strokes.
Global Action Plan is communicating the primary action of walking short trips instead of driving which is a great way to reconnect with the local community, breathe cleaner air, get some exercise and improve personal health. The charity is also promoting many other clean air actions this year. The prioritisation of walking enables focus on an action that can have major impact.
The ‘Clean Air Hub’ – Clean Air Day Information & Resources
A collection of everything you need to know about air pollution is in one place from the organising charity ‘Global Action Plan’. The basic facts on air pollution, health, the organiser’s ‘Clean Air Calculator’, suggestions on what you can do and a range of ‘Clean Air Day’ free resources for England, Scotland and Wales are available here on these links:
Also available to use on the organising charity ’Global Action Plan’ website is a collection of workplace resources to inspire workplaces to create cleaner air on and beyond Clean Air Day. Posters, leaflets, letters, texts, e-mail footer, pledge cards, ‘No-Idling’ leaflet, clean air travel, clean air travel choices, e-mail and intranet message, video conferencing background, press release, social media resources etc. These can be accessed at: https://www.cleanairday.org.uk/free-resources/workplace
The Clean Air & Pollution Calculator
The Air Pollution Calculator, brought to you by Global Action Plan. This tool enables you to calculate how your activity contributes to pollution levels and learn how you can make a difference for Clean Air Day 2023 and beyond: http://calculator.cleanairhub.org.uk/quiz
Air Pollution and Health Inequalities
Although air pollution can be harmful to everyone, some people are more affected because they live in a polluted area and are exposed to higher levels of air pollution. Big cities and towns experience greater pollution levels (particularly nitrogen dioxide). There’s more about air pollution & health inequalities on the ‘Clean Air Hub’: https://www.cleanairhub.org.uk/
Air pollution – a workplace issue
Around 75 per cent of Union reps say that members are concerned about air pollution. This was one of the key findings of a survey of union reps that we carried out last year.
There is growing awareness of the harm caused by air pollution. Both the impact on our health but also the damage it is causing to the environment. Health impacts
In 2020, the inquest verdict following the tragic death of nine-year-old Ella Kissi-Debrah made legal history. It was the first time that air pollution was recorded as a cause of death.
There is mounting evidence showing the devastating impact of air pollution. It harms our lungs, heart, brain and reproductive health. It also has lifelong impacts for children.
Worldwide it is estimated that nearly 9 million people die from air pollution related diseases each year. In Wales, Public Health Wales estimate it contributes to up to 1,400 deaths per year.
The link to climate change and nature loss.
Air pollution is closely linked to the issue of climate change. So by acting on air pollution, we can improve the health of workers and communities and help to tackle climate change.
The pollutants that contribute to air pollution are not necessarily greenhouse gases themselves. But the causes of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions are often the same. Key sources of air pollution include transport, industrial processes and domestic burning. Air pollution also contributes to nature loss and damages ecosystems.
A workplace issue.
Work-related emissions (including work-related travel) make a large contribution to the problem. Air pollution is blighting communities. It is affecting the health of workers on their journeys to and from work. It also harms workers while they are at work (both those working indoors and out). It’s why tackling air pollution is a key priority for unions.
Trade unions in the UK have set up the Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN). TUCAN supports the call for workplace action. It has called for recognition of air pollution as an occupational health emergency. It has produced a charter and guidance for reps.
The Welsh Government’s Clean Air (Wales) Bill.
In Wales, the Wales TUC has welcomed the Welsh Government’s proposed new clean air legislation. We want to see this tackle the problem of air pollution, protect workers and provide better air quality for all. The proposal to adopt WHO guidelines on air quality and evidence-based targets is welcomed. A ‘just transition’ approach in all aspects of the Bill is needed. Particularly where clean air proposals may have implications for jobs or employment. There’s a need to ensure fairness so that workers on lower incomes are not unfairly impacted by the implementation of proposed measures. There’s a need for better access to air quality monitoring equipment and data. Mobile monitoring equipment should be made available for trade union reps who wish to carry out workplace air quality monitoring. There needs to be a more coordinated approach to enforcement. Resources need to be put into enforcement and for inspection/enforcement officers to routinely speak to trade union reps as part of workplace inspections. Theres also issues facing some of the most vulnerable workers, such as those in ‘drive-throughs’. Statutory guidance for private, public and third sector employers is welcomed but these proposals to be strengthened and expanded in scope. A key principle underlying the guidance should be that employers should work jointly with trade unions in developing measures to tackle air pollution. The guidelines should reflect TUCAN best practice and employers should be asked to publish air pollution risk assessments and work jointly with trade unions to develop workplace clean.
Air Pollution Monitoring Equipment – Offer to CWU Health and Safety Reps
The Greener Jobs Alliance (GJC) and Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN) jointly took a share in the procurement of air pollution monitoring equipment with Global Action Plan (GAP). The Personal Aerosol Monitor is a miniature battery-operated laser photometer that measures airborne particle mass concentration in units of milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3). The equipment can measure to particulate matter of pm 2.5. TUCAN/GJA/GAP will loan the kit out to workplaces to support Trade Union Health and Safety Reps with workplace air pollution monitoring. Any CWU Health and Safety Rep interested in a loan of the equipment for a couple of weeks can email Janet Newsham (Chair Hazards Campaign & TUCAN) and Janet will schedule a time for you to use the equipment and from there hopefully produce some reliable, quotable, statistical evidence.
Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) and Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN) Newsletters.
The latest editions of the GJA and TUCAN Newsletters have been circulated attached via Letters To Branches.
TUCAN (Trade Union Clean Air Network) new Workers Guide to action on indoor workplace air pollution:
TUCAN (Trade Union Clean Air Network) and Greener Jobs Alliance both part of the UK Hazards Campaign, have produced a new Workers Guide to action on indoor workplace air pollution:
The UK Hazards Campaign will be working across the UK, campaigning on how the climate crisis is making their work unsafe and unhealthy putting lives and livelihoods in jeopardy. A climate crisis that is doubly impacting on workers lives by creating suffocating and deadly air.
In the UK more than 40,000 people a year will die as a result of air pollution. And it’s not just about traffic fumes but workers are exposed to toxic indoor air as well. The guide provides workers with concrete actions they can take to work with their employers to reduce the air pollution they are exposed to.
“No-one should be exposed to polluted air, be injured, develop occupational diseases or die because of work. The vast majority of these are foreseeable and preventable. Workplace harm is a blight on our society and for our families and loved ones.”
The Hazards Campaign calls for more urgent action to ensure that workers are not exposed to unsafe and polluted air inside and outside the workplace.
The Workers Guide provides detailed information on what employers should be doing to prevent exposure to polluted air, how ventilation and air filtration can be improved, practical actions which show what workers are being exposed to, and finally what actions workers can take to clean the air and reduce pollution at work.
‘We make the invisible visible through air monitoring and then put in place solutions to reduce pollutants and clean the air. This is a win win situation because, healthier workers have reduced sickness and absence, there is less disruption to services and production and it helps towards achieving net zero carbon targets.’
Wales TUC – Greener Workplaces Toolkit For Union Reps (Written BY Graham Petersen)
The aim of this toolkit is to provide information to help union officers and reps who want to take action on the climate emergency and negotiate for greener and fairer workplaces. It is designed to support the voice of workers and their unions. It provides information, tools and ideas to help union reps to campaign, organise and raise awareness. It also includes negotiating and bargaining checklists on different areas of workplace sustainability. It aims to ensure that workers, through their unions, have a central voice in the changes that will be needed in every workplace to ensure a just transition to a greener and fairer workplace can be achieved. The resources in this booklet are designed to be used on TUC and union training courses, as well as to support green action. Link to Toolkit: https://www.tuc.org.uk/greener-workplaces-just-transition-wales-tuc-toolkit-trade-unionists
‘Air Pollution’ (Asthma and Lung UK)
Asthma and Lung UK (formerly Asthma UK the British Lung Foundation) are appealing for personal and organisational help in promoting their campaign. They say “Air pollution is a health emergency. Across the UK it is at lethal levels and too little is being done to tackle it.”
The two campaigning charities point out the following:
36,000 early deaths attributed to air pollution every year in the UK.
1 in every 5 people will have a lung condition in their lifetime.
4 million people in the UK living with asthma.
In the UK, respiratory care simply isn’t good enough.
NHS hospital admissions for lung conditions are rising three times faster than average admissions.
Lung disease is now the third most common cause of death, costing the NHS more than £9 billion every year. So this issue needs to be at the top of the health agenda.
People living with lung conditions are often overlooked and being left behind. Their condition isn’t accurately diagnosed at an early stage – and even when they are diagnosed, they’re not given the care they need.
Asthma and Lung UK have launched a new strategy, committing to transform the nation’s lung health by challenging misconceptions about lung conditions, driving greater investment in respiratory research, and campaigning for cleaner air and better care for people with lung conditions such as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The charity, which supports the 12 million people in the UK who will have a lung condition in their lifetime through its helpline, support groups, tailored website health advice and campaigning and research work, now has a new name and logo. The two former lung charities have come together to create one organisation fighting for people’s right to breathe. Asthma and Lung UK says its new strategy and brand is urgently needed to shine a spotlight on the ‘shameful’ state of the UK’s lung health.
There are a number of resources which can be used to raise awareness about the campaign on their excellent website at the following link: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/
NHS/Health Education England E-Learning on Air Pollution
On this excellent website is a bite-sized session to give health and care professionals an overview of air pollution – including key evidence, data and signposting to trusted resources to help prevent illness, protect health and promote wellbeing:
Clean Air Day Events – Health expert spokespeople available for media and events
The UK Health Alliance on Climate Change (UKHACC) Ambassadors Spokesperson Network is a volunteer group of healthcare providers who are trained and ready to speak to the media on the health impacts of the air quality crisis. The spokespeople cover a wide range of professions, including doctors, nurses, general practitioners, mental health professionals and more. They also include leaders in their field, including chairs, directors and sustainability leads of medical royal colleges and associations. The membership of the organisations that make up UKHACC totals around 1 million UK healthcare workers. You canBook a Speaker by emailing:
This Clean Air Day, Global Action Plan are asking Londoners and Clean Air Day Supporters to get their local leaders and local councillors to support clean air plans and policies to clean up London’s air and make it easier to breathe clean air – whether that’s reducing the most polluting vehicles (such as the Ultra-Low Emission Zones), or enabling more people to walk, cycle or take public transport. Help spread the word and get Londoners to ask their local councillors to support solutions – like the Ultra-Low Emission Zone expansion – that make it easier to breathe cleaner air. Spread the word and use the GAP Website Comms Packwith suggested copy and images to use in social media on Clean Air Day (15 June). Download the Communication Pack – How Londoners Can Help Support Clean Air Day:-
Ulez just the start and similar scheme needed for buildings, experts warn
Robin McKie Guardian Science editor wrote on Sunday 6 Aug 2023 that Lowering pollution produced by houses, offices and factories is just as crucial as tackling vehicle emissions! And that imposing strict controls on car exhausts will only partially improve the quality of air people breathe in the UK, scientists have said. New measures to counter emissions of nitrogen oxides and other air pollutants will also be needed for buildings, heating plants and many other domestic and industrial sources in future. (See full article attached).
Hazards Campaign/Greener Jobs Alliance/Trade Union Clean Air Network/UCU/Global Action Plan Joint Presentation on “Air Quality Air Pollution Climate Change = Occupational health/Trade Union issue – Cleaning the air at work. Ventilation. Filtration. Toxic Use Reduction at source”:-https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iLwpYOUgEg4tYAwQ9QzZj3aIep3JCXwc/view
About The Charity ‘Global Action Plan’ – TheClean Air Day Organisers and Further Information:
‘Global Action Plan’ is an environmental charity working towards a green and thriving planet where everyone can enjoy happy and healthy lives within the Earth’s limits without ruining the Earth we depend on. They aim to help people live more sustainable lifestyles, make connections between what’s good for people and good for the planet, work with young people on reducing consumerism and increasing wellbeing, bring business and people together to work on a sustainable future and help young people develop the skills and knowledge to tackle environmental issues which is good for the planet and for everyone’s future too. They tackle the root causes of our climate and nature crises through research, campaigns and collective action that reconnect human and planetary health. GAP focuses on issues where the connection between the health of people and the planet is most tangible. This allows GAP to show the deep interrelationship and drive solutions that prioritise wellbeing for all. The Charity’s key focus issue is air pollution. ‘Global Action Plan’ are a UK Charity registered in England and Wales number 1026148, and in Scotland number SC041260.
Further information:
Global Action Plan 201 Borough High Street London SE1 1JA Tel: 020 3817 7636 Email: team@globalactionplan.org.uk
TUCAN/GJA/Hazards – Air Pollution, Toxic and Hazardous Substances ppt Slides presentation.
Note: The information and resources in this LTB and attachments are to raise awareness and for ongoing reference, information and support beyond the Clean Air Day focal point which is organised to help build widespread, long- erm support for environmental clean air initiatives. It’s not just for one day!
Yours Sincerely,
Dave Joyce National Health, Safety and Environment Officer
BT Openreach Fined £1.34 Million For Health and Safety Offence Following the Death of An Engineer
BT Openreach Limited has been fined £1.34 million after an engineer died whilst trying to repair a telephone line.
Alun Owen, from Bethesda, died after he slipped and fell into the River Aber in Abergwyngregyn and was swept away on 6 October 2020.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and North Wales Police, found that a number of BT Openreach engineers had been attempting to repair the telephone lines, which ran across the river, over a period of two months. They had been working both near and in the river. At the time of the incident, there had been flooding in the area which meant the river was much higher and faster flowing than usual.
Alun Owen entered the water and made his way to an island in the middle of the river in order to try and throw a new telephone cable across to the other side by taping it to a hammer and then throwing the hammer. Whilst attempting to cross the remaining section of the river, he slipped in a deep water and the force of the river swept him away to his death.
The HSE investigation found that there was no safe system of work in place for work on or near water, nor had Alun Owen and others working by the river – received training, information or instruction on safe working on or near water, as is required by law.
BT Openreach Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £1.34 million and ordered to pay costs of £15,858.35 at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court on 5 June 2024.
A HSE Spokesperson said in a statement after the Court hearing that this was a tragic incident that resulted in the death of a popular and much loved young man. The victim’s family, friends and colleagues have always remained in our thoughts. His death would have been preventable had an effective safe system of work for working on or near water been in place. The victim Mr Owen should not have been put in the unsafe working situation. Companies should learn the lessons from this incident if they have staff who may work on or near water and be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those employers and companies that fall below the required standards.
A North Wales Police statement said that the Police worked closely with HSE and whilst it was a protracted and lengthy investigation, it was critical that any failings were identified and acted upon.
The prosecution was brought by HSE.
The HSE is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. The HSE aim to prevent work-related deaths, injuries and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across industry sectors through to targeted interventions and enforcement action on companies and employers.
Section 2.1 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 outlines the general duties of employers toward their workforce. Under this section of the law employers must ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees while at work.
This duty extends to both physical and mental well-being. The employer must provide, amongst other things, and maintain safe plant and equipment, must provide safe systems of work along with necessary health and safety information, instruction, training, and supervision for worker safety.
Attachment:
HSE Press Release 05.06.24 – Openreach fined following death of engineer.
Yours Sincerely,
Dave Joyce National Health, Safety and Environment Officer
Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 61 – June 2024: Introduction & History – The GJA
The Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) came into existence as a result of funding from Battersea and Wandsworth TUC. The GJA was launched to promote skills training and job creation to meet the needs of Britain’s rapidly growing low carbon sectors and to green the whole economy. The transition to a low carbon and resource efficient economy can drive sustainable economic recovery and job creation in every part of the country as well as making existing jobs more secure. But this requires a more strategic national and local approach to deliver the workforce skills needed and to stimulate demand for clean energy and energy efficiency services.
The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises at a national and local level to build the broadest possible support for the policies, investment, partnerships and commitments needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.
The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises with training bodies, colleges, universities, employers, local and national Government, trade unions, housing associations, campaign and community groups – to build the policies, investment and partnerships needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.
GJA Founder Graham Petersen:
The founder GJA Secretary and Newsletter editor was Graham Petersen who is well known to the CWU and has a long-standing working relationship with the Union. He is a former TUC tutor and course designer who created safety reps training courses and the successful TUC Occupational Health & Safety Diploma Course. He was the head of the Trade Union Studies Centre at South Thames College before retirement from the post and has been a visitor and guest speaker at CWU events and meetings. After 30 editions, Graham stood down at the GJA AGM and handed over to Paul Atkin as newsletter editor and Tahir Latif as GJA Secretary. Graham remains a GJA Steering Group member and is now working part time for the Wales TUC is the author of a publication for them entitled ‘Greener workplaces for a just transition – a Wales TUC toolkit for trade unionists’ which was circulated by the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department.
GJA ‘Free’ Courses:
The GJA runs a number of ‘free’ courses on the environment for Trade Union Reps in different parts of the UK which have been attended by a number of CWU Reps with details published in the newsletter.
The GJA now offers three ‘on-line’ courses as follows:
Climate Change Awareness
This short introductory course is aimed at trade unionists and anyone wishing to develop their understanding of the issues around climate change. The course is divided into 4 modules. The modules contain background information, short videos, graphs and illustrations.
Module 1: Climate Change Explained
Module 2: International Responses
Module 3: Trade Union Responses
Module 4: Getting Involved
At the end of each section, there are references and links to additional materials if you want to go further. There are no formal tests and you can work through the materials at your own pace but there are optional quizzes to check your understanding at the end of modules 1, 2 and 3.
A Trade Union Guide to Just Transition
Social justice must be at the heart of the development of a net-zero carbon economy. The course covers:
The meaning and history of the term just transition
Why it should be a priority issue
UK and international policies and case studies
Ideas for developing an action plan
It is aimed at trade unionists and anyone wishing to improve their understanding of why just transition should be central to climate change policy.
Air Quality – a trade union issue
The following issues will be explored in this free online course. It is made up of 3 modules,
Module 1: The Causes and Health Impacts of Air Pollution
The TUC announced, earlier this year, a series of new ‘free’ to attend “green rep training courses for 2024 and these have been taking place in various locations since February as informed in previous LTBs.
All union reps and officers are welcome, new or experienced, and whether in any Union role. All trade unionists can benefit from understanding what the TU movement can do to protect and empower Union members during the climate crisis. Forthcoming face to face classroom courses are listed in the programme across the TUC Regions at:- www.tuc.org.uk/training/TUCcourses
Paul Atkin Editorial GJA Newsletter Issue 61: “The Stakes on July 4” (General Election Day)
Paul concentrates his Editorial on the crucial outcome of next month’s General Election where the nation’s future direction on climate change and environmental policies rests heavily. In a recent survey by IZA, 83% of people in the UK said they wanted more action from the next government to stop climate breakdown. The climate vote survey shows that not a single Conservative MP has a good voting record on climate and the current Tory government has gone out of its way to try to mobilise people against action on it. Paul concludes that the fewer of these Tory politicians that are returned as MPs the better! He adds that the next government will be facing an acceleration of the degeneration of our environment, a divergence between current plans and targets that are both necessary and imperative. Paul quotes Mike Childs, head of science, policy and research at Friends of the Earth who recently stated that “If Labour forms the next government, they will have to produce a comprehensive and lawful climate plan that meets our domestic carbon budgets and our international commitment to reduce emissions by two-thirds by 2030 – or face possible legal action if it falls short. Warm words on how to tackle an overheating planet are not enough. We need urgent action now.” Paul concludes that massive pressure is needed through the labour movement and throughout society to back that up.
Read the full Editorial & GJA Newsletter Edition 61 attached.
PM Rishi Sunak’s Lies on TV
The GJA has put this up in the debate blog to puncture the lies Sunak told on the election TV debate on Tuesday night 4 June about the costs of Electric Vehicles and Heat Pumps. The GJA wants to put the record straight and pass the information on to anyone who might have to argue with Sunak’s misleading claims on the doorstep or elsewhere during General Election campaigning for Labour. https://greenerjobsalliance.co.uk/mythbusters-3-its-gonna-cost-you/
PM Sunak’s riches rise again
The personal wealth of Tory Prime Minister Rishi Sunak rose by £122 Million last year to £651 Million according to the Sunday Times Rich List. What does he know or care about working class people in the UK?
Tories ‘coin it’ – pocketing million from fossil fuel companies who oppose radical climate change policies
The hard cash received by UK main political parties from ‘Fossil Fuel Companies since the last General Election is:-
Conservatives £8.4 million,
Lib Dems, £142,000,
Labour £41,000.
Contents GJA Newsletter 61:
Editorial: The Stakes on July 4th
Vote Climate
Info Hub for General Election 2024
Environmental Nakba in Gaza
Why China’s CO2 emissions may have peaked in 2023
OECD Shift in Energy Generation from Fossils to Renewables
Lowestoft and the Existential Threat of Inadequate Flood Defences
Health and safety enforcement under the spotlight
New Deal and Just Transition in this year’s Higher Education (HE) union claim.
Union conference round up: UNISON. BFAWU
Events. Heat Strike Online Rally. TUC Webinar, Health and Safety in a Changing
Climate. UCU Green Bargaining Course.
Mums for Lungs election poster
New Rules: EU Ecodesign regulation
Green Bites
Green Bites – Stats of The Month:
$7 Trillion – Total global fossil fuel subsidies in 2022. From the IMF. It is estimated that to be on course for Net Zero by 2050 the world would have to invest $4 Trillion a year in energy transition. Transferring the subsidy looks like a “win, win”.
£20 Billion – How much more fossil fuels were subsidised over renewables by the UK government between 2015 and 2023. From LFF Stats of the Month
71% – Higher sales of used EVs in the UK in the first quarter of 2024 over the first quarter of 2023. Fossil fuel cars still account for 92% of all sales but these only grew by 2%. Overall, sales of all cars are 2.6% below pre covid levels.
80% – of people in Africa have to cook on open fires or on basic stoves, with severe impacts on health, gender equality and the environment. Inhaling hazardous smoke from wood, charcoal, animal dung and agricultural waste is the second leading cause of premature deaths on the continent among women and children, who also miss out on opportunities for education and employment because of the time they spend gathering cooking fuel. See IEA Summit on clean cooking in Africa.
5,000 – The number of local bus services cut under the Conservatives since 2010. Manchester, Liverpool and West Yorkshire are now taking control back from private companies.
£530 million – How much the government is committing to decarbonise public buildings. It is estimated that getting schools alone to net zero by 2030 would cost £16.3 billion. To reach the target of a 78% reduction by 2035 would cost £2 billion a year. At present the DFE is spending £221 million (just over a tenth of the way there). This is described by the government as “part of the government’s plan to reach its world-leading net zero targets in a sustainable, pragmatic way” proving, once again, how far from “sustainable” their “pragmatism” is.
£795 billion – Combined wealth of the richest 350 individuals and families in the UK according to the Sunday Times. An orchard of magic money trees if anyone cares to harvest it
What is a just transition?
A just transition seeks to ensure that the substantial benefits of a green economy transition are shared widely, while also supporting those who stand to lose economically – be they countries, regions, industries, communities, workers or consumers.
A rapid increase in the speed and scale of actions required to reduce the risks of climate change will create new economic opportunities.
Whilst a just transition is mainly based on environmental considerations, it is also shaped by other structural changes affecting labour markets, such as globalisation, labour-saving technologies and the shift to services.
A just transition is an integral part of many of the global commitments adopted by countries. The Paris Agreement acknowledges “the imperatives of a just transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality jobs in accordance with nationally defined development priorities” and highlights the importance of workers in responding to climate change.
Furthermore, the just transition concept links to 14 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, explicitly drawing together SDGs No 12 – climate action, No 10 – reduced inequalities, No 8 – decent work and economic growth, and No 7 – affordable and clean energy.
Many countries have recognised the challenge that this transformation entails and are taking measures to protect those that are most vulnerable and affected by the changes, including across the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) regions.
The European Union’s Just Transition Mechanism is integral to the EU’s Green Deal, targeted at ensuring “a fair transition to a climate-neutral economy, leaving no one behind” and aims to mobilise at least €150 billion over the period 2021-2027;
The Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia Declaration signed by 50 countries at COP24, which states that: “ajust transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality jobs are crucial to ensure an effective and inclusive transition”;
Climate Action for Jobs Initiative, co-led by the International Labour Organisation, Spain and Peru, with 46 countries committing to develop “national plans for a just transition and create decent green jobs”.
The UNFCCC Gender Action plan, whereby parties to the UNFCCC have recognized the importance of involving women and men equally in the development and implementation of national climate policies that are gender-responsive.
Quote of the Month
““Climate change will not suddenly become dangerous at 1.5C – it already is –
and it will not be ‘game over’ if we pass 2C, which we might well do.
Every tenth of a degree matters.”
Professor Peter Cox – University of Exeter.
Much more in the GJA Newsletter No 61, June 2024 attached.
Attachment:
GJA Newsletter No.61 for June 2024.
Yours Sincerely,
Dave Joyce National Health, Safety and Environment Officer
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 