Negotiating net zero: no worker can be left behind, warns Wales TUC

Wales is in a decade of major industrial transformation which will impact every worker, according to a new report commissioned by the Wales TUC.

It sets out how efforts at a workplace level need to be ramped up to achieve net zero in line with Welsh Government’s targets, and that carbon intensive industries should be prioritised in plans so that the workforce is protected.

Labour Research Department findings

The research was conducted by the Labour Research Department on behalf of Wales TUC, to provide an evidence base of transition agreements in the UK and internationally which trade unions, employers and government in Wales could learn from. 

Using examples like the Plan del Carbón, which is supporting coalminers in unviable mines to retrain, to the creation of the Safety, Health and Environment reps role at Greggs, the report concludes that trade unions need to make sure that workers have a voice at both the workplace and strategic policy level, and that every workplace should have a negotiated ‘transition plan’, agreed between employers and unions, so that no worker is left behind.

A just transition

The report builds on Wales TUC’s campaign for the net zero targets to be achieved in line with the ‘just transition’ principle. Welsh Government’s ambition to reach net zero by 2050, and in the devolved public sector by 2030, will have a major impact on jobs, and trade unions want to make sure this benefits as many workers as possible – and doesn’t disadvantage anyone.

A just transition is defined by workers having a central voice in planning the transition, so it done with them not to them. It is rooted in the Paris Agreement, which requires parties to step up action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while taking into account “the imperatives of a just transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality jobs”. As the collective voice of workers, trade unions and social partnership are integral to a just transition. 

The trade union body welcomed Welsh Government’s strong commitment to a just transition in the Net Zero Wales delivery plan, and wants to work with government and employer bodies to make this a reality for all workers, taking the lessons from this report.

Government action needed

Wales TUC is calling on Welsh Government to:

• Work with unions and employers to devise a just transition strategy, prioritising pathways high carbon sectors.
• Require evidence of a ‘transition agreement’ for all relevant sources of public funding.
• Support the development of the green rep role in Welsh workplaces by facilitating an agreement in the devolved public sector for green reps to have paid time off to fulfil their duties, like negotiating transition plans.

Wales TUC General Secretary Shavanah Taj, who has been part of an international trade union delegation to COP26, said:

“This report is a wake up call to unions, employers and government about how we need to work together to transition our public services and economy towards the net zero goals. 

“Each and every government intervention needs to be defined by just transition, and planning is central to this. Decisions about the workforce, from the skills they will need to the sorts of job roles that will be required in a net zero Wales, need to be taken with the workforce, not just happen to them.

“Welsh Government is committed to a just transition, but the hard work starts now – we need to make sure that each and every workplace has a transition plan as soon as possible so that no worker is left behind by these targets.”