CUT CARBON EMISSIONS, NOT TRANSPORT JOBS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 ::february 2023 :: RMTnews 13 Climate change will be high up on the agenda at the annual train crew and shunting grades organising conference meeting in Newcastle on April 20/21 around the concept of placing public transport at the heart of the green agenda. The Climate Change crisis is a very real threat to humanity as we know it, not just globally but nationally, regionally and locally to all of us. The focus of the meeting will be the union’s report 2021 titled ‘Cut Carbon Emissions. Not Transport Jobs’ which is available on the RMT website. The document highlights six major issues: • Recognising climate change is a local and global threat to lives and livelihoods • Time to tackle harmful transport emissions from road vehicles as it is the UK’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases. • Cut harmful emissions by expanding public transport to encourage people out of cars and onto public transport. • Demand a new deal for public transport through a green transport revolution that makes services more affordable, available, accessible, and attractive to use. • Transforming public transport is ambitious but affordable, because the economic benefits of public transport expansion exceed the costs of paying for it. • The climate challenge is a trade union and class challenge and reducing harmful emissions can be achieved through urgent political action to defend public transport jobs and services Ultimately the climate change agenda must not be dictated by corporations. That is why a crucial step in challenging climate change is for decisions to be made in the interests of workers through strong trade unions and through campaigning for a more socialistic world where decisions to protect our planet, its species and our livelihoods are made by the many and not the few. Delegates will use the report as a basis for the content of this year’s conference, making the argument that addressing climate change is a political, industrial and social issue that the union can and must be involved in. The governments of the world are tinkering at the edges with the very existence of the human race and it is incumbent upon trade unions and all of us as individuals to play our part in this struggle and to challenge our leaders and decision makers to listen to and hear the science. The rail industry has a very key role in delivering a green agenda as one of the most sustainable and potentially low carbon means of transport which can make a real difference for the future of our children and grandchildren. The committee would like as many branches as possible to get involved and send delegates to conference, also we would appreciate if branches and regional councils could assist by encouraging germane resolutions to conference which consider the unions approach to green jobs and sustainable railways. As part of the invitation, conference packs when sent out, will include a copy of the union’s pamphlet. Conference will also be inviting on climate change crisis generally and one on the rail and transport sectors part in the plan for a greener future. Please get your branch members in the respective grades to get involved and attend conference at what is a crucial time for our industry, union and our grades. Contact your branch secretary for more details. CUT CARBON EMISSIONS, NOT TRANSPORT JOBS Train crew and shunting grades organising conference committee calls for delegates to come to Newcastle in April