International examples
[ch 1: pages 12-13]The global union IndustriALL reported in November 2018 that Spanish mining unions had won a landmark deal for a Just Transition from coal mining with sustainable development for mining regions. The €250 million Plan del Carbón deal was reached between the Socialist government and IndustriALL affiliated unions FI CCOO, FIC-UGT and FI-USO and will see the closure of economically unviable Spanish coal mines. The transition is planned to take place between 2019 and 2023.
In May 2019, IndustriALL highlighted German trade union support for the German Commission on growth, structural change and employment. As a result of the commission, €40 billion will be allocated over 20 years for regional development, including infrastructure. The plan is that for each direct job loss, a new and decent job is created. It includes a no redundancy commitment. As coal fired power leaves the grid it will be replaced with renewable energy and the necessary energy storage technologies and energy efficiency improvements.
The Commission also references Canada’s clean growth and climate action plan which aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, beginning with a phase-out of emissions from coal-fired electricity generation by 2030. Trade unions advocated for, and lead, the Just Transition Task Force for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities.
IndustriALL, Just Transition - an idea whose time has come (www.industriall-union.org/just-transition-an-idea-whose-time-has-come)
IndustriALL, Spanish coal unions win landmark Just Transition deal (www.industriall-union.org/spanish-coal-unions-win-landmark-just-transition-deal)
Canadian government, A Just and Fair Transition for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities (https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/climate-change/task-force-just-transition/final-report.html)