North East TUC regional secretary urges the Government to invest in the region to unlock 30,000 new green jobs

 Press Office: 07712 675118 - 0191 2275 557

• More than 30,000 new green jobs could be created in next two years in the North East by speeding up infrastructure investment

‘Voice and place: how to plan fair and successful paths to net zero emissions’ is based on research in five UK nations and regions that draws on the expertise of local union reps on the challenges and opportunities in their area.

The results are presented as a series of case studies with contributions from reps across the North East, and further recommendations for regional and national policy.

A North East Green Jobs Strategy

The report calls for a North East specific strategy to unlock 30,000 jobs focusing on boosting the lagging construction sector, investing in infrastructure, and boosting research and development into battery technology.

Supporting emerging Carbon Capture Industries on Teesside and electric car manufacturing in Sunderland presents the region with an opportunity to transition to a green economy and boost workers pay at the end of the month.

Workers Voice

During the 1980’s workers in coal mining and ship building had no say in a transition towards more service-oriented jobs. That failure by the then Conservative Government left deep long-term scars on families in the region.

That mistake must not be made again. Companies should make Transition Agreements with unions covering job security, re-training, re-deployment and the protection of decent term and conditions.

Unions, Business and Government

The furlough scheme which saved almost 9 million jobs has shown the value of governments listening to trade union members.

That is why we need a regional and national recovery panel made up of local government, unions, employers, Job Centre Plus and civic partners, working together to recover from the pandemic and to draft plans to reach net zero that can achieve strong public support.