On November 10, newly-elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met in Ottawa with the leadership council of the Canadian Labour Congress, the federation of trade unions in English-speaking Canada. Amazingly, this was the first meeting of a Canadian prime minister with a national labour body since 1958. The event was very cordial, according to a report published in the Globe and Mail. The CLC group numbered some 120 delegates.
The logic is simple. Capitalism can’t survive without endless growth. Many of Earth’s species—including humans—can’t survive the onrushing catastrophe of climate change caused by unchecked growth. Choose.
A rapidly rising international movement against climate change and for climate justice is growing ever more aware of this logic.
July 4, 2015 - Newly established WORKERS 4 THE PLANET (W4P) believes workers and our organizations—especially unions—must play a major role in stopping climate change, fighting for climate justice, and creating the necessary transition to a post-fossil-fuel economy.
Speech to the BC Provincial Council of the Communications Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada in Vancouver, April 27, 2013, by Gene McGuckin, past president of CEP Local 1129 (retired) and a member of the Vancouver Ecosocialist Group.
Good morning, sisters and brothers. It’s been just over six years since I found myself in a CEP crowd like this. Last time, in this very room, I was a delegate for Local 1129 at the Pulp and Paper Wage Caucus.
Vancouver Ecosocialists discussion on Vancouver transit plebiscite
Introduction:
Below is the text of an email exchange among some members of the Vancouver Ecosocialist Group between February and April 2015 regarding the Metro Vancouver transit plebiscite.
Here is the text of a leaflet distributed at the BC Federation of Labour Convention in the last week of November, 2014 in Vancouver. Note the appeal at the end of the text forunion members who want to take part in launching a cross-union climate caucus. We welcome emails from any union members who haven't already given us their name and would still like to do so.
There's nothing more unambiguous in the battle against global ecocide than placing one's body between the fertile earth and a giant fossil fuel company. This is why when one spends a few minutes with the caretakers of Burnaby Mountain, one develops a genuinely abiding allegiance to their cause. This is direct witness to the existential immediacy of the climate crisis that threatens the future of our planet. This is appropriate response to the danger climate change entails.
