UCU Congress reiterates climate demands

UCU Congress 2018 held in Manchester in May 2018, passed a motion calling on UCU's national executive to continue to campaign within the trade union movement in support of the environmental demands raised in the 2017 resolution.

The full motion as passed reads:

Congress recognises that the motion on Climate Change at this year's TUC makes progress towards the resolution at UCU Congress 2017. However, Congress regrets that there is no mention of opposition to fracking or airport expansion. Congress therefore calls upon the UCU NEC to continue to campaign within the trade union movement in support of all the demands raised in our 2017 resolution:

1. energy democracy and rapid transition from fossil fuels
2. stop airport expansion
3. no fracking
4. promotion of alternatives to short-haul flights, including publicly owned rail in UK and Europe
5. a genuine commitment to reducing lethal air pollutants
6. a just transition employment strategy to climate jobs and well-paid, skilled, sustainable employment
7. improved links between anti-war, refugee and climate campaign movements
8. action against trade treaties threatening climate justice
9. a climate justice fund funded by wealthy nations and polluting companies.

Congress notes UCU support for the Just Transition Statement in Scotland adopted at the UCU Congress, 2017.

Congress calls upon the UCU:

1. to support the adoption of a similar Just Transition statement circulated by the Greener Jobs Alliance and campaign for UK wide implementation
2. NEC to lobby the TUC for adoption and for branches to get the endorsement of Trades Union organisations
3. to affiliate to Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union Group.

And to further campaign for the TUC to:

1. encourage affiliates to affiliate to the Campaign Against Climate Change and the Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union Group and attend demos and other events organised by them with their banners
2. support campaigns for carbon disinvestment and ethical investment policies, including by pension funds, local councils, colleges and universities and public bodies.