ABSTRACT

The vulnerability and viability of industries due to negative impacts of climate change are clear, and ultimately the future of work will be reshaped. Traditionally unions have focused on wages and conditions but there is an increasing call for unions to be at the core of future decisions regarding the climate change response. This article draws on a two-stage project which explored the views of union leaders on union preparedness to climate change and also a survey of union members on their expectations of their unions to the issue. While there is a high level of concern about climate change there has been a sluggish response from unions and a significant gap between the unions’ position and the expressed belief from members that unions need to take an active role on climate change. Members indicated low collective efficacy in their unions to step into leadership roles. We offer several reasons for these findings and suggest ways forward.

摘要

由于气候变化的负面影响，行业的脆弱性和生存能力是显而易见的，最终将重塑工作的未来。传统上，工会关注工资和条件，但是越来越多的人要求工会成为未来应对气候变化决定的核心。本文基于一个分为两个阶段的项目，该项目探讨了工会领袖对工会应对气候变化的准备的观点，并就工会成员对工会对此问题的期望进行了调查。尽管人们高度关注气候变化，但工会的反应迟钝，工会的立场与成员所表达的相信工会需要在气候变化中发挥积极作用的信念之间存在巨大差距。成员表示，在工会中担任领导职务的集体效能较低。我们提供了这些发现的几个原因，并提出了前进的方向。