oncerning the climate situation, EPSU supports the call for action to put pressure on governments attending the UN Climate Summit 23 September. We want ambitious climate goals that go together with just transition measures to ensure global warming remains below 1.5 degrees. Many actions will take place leading up to 20 September and in the week of 20-27 September. These include strikes, demonstrations and other actions. They are organised by schoolchildren, students, unions and many other organisations. I look forward to strong participation of EPSU affiliates and several, or their confederations, have already called on members to join. Please let us know what you are doing.
In a European Union context, a strong turnout in European actions will send a signal to the new European Commission and the new European Commissioners that climate action and just transition need to be key priorities of this Commission.
Faced with the risk of climate chaos it is crucial that unions make their voices heard, and as the EPSU Congresses in 2014 and 2019 have underlined, we need fundamental changes to the way our economies work, putting the interests of workers, our families and our communities first. Strong public services and public ownership in the energy sector are crucial to make these changes. EPSU’s Executive strongly supported the 15 March actions of the FridaysForFuture movement.
We wish you all successful actions.
Jan Willem Goudriaan
EPSU General Secretary
Further calls
- The EPSU Executive Committee Resolution in support of the March 2019 actions
- For the information of PSI (Educate and Mobilise)
- For ETUC (Call on unions to join climate actions)
- For the call of the ITUC (Just Transition for Climate Ambition)
- For an overview of various trade union positions by Trade Unions for Energy Democracy
- For the Fridays for Future actions (school student movement)
