Leaders of two coal plant unions participated in a workshop and dialogue on climate change and just energy transition last October 17 organized by Workers for Just Transition (W4JT), Federation of Free Workers (FFW), National Confederation of Labor (NCL), Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD), and Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ).
The two unions – namely, Kaisahan ng Manggagawa sa Pagbilao Power Station (Unity of Workers in Pagbilao Power Station)-KAMPPS and Mauban Energy Station Employees Independent Alliance-MESEIA – represent around 300 workers each in the 1,155-MW Pagbilao power Station and 1,066-MW Quezon Power Station, respectively, both located in Quezon Province, Philippines. Leaders from the BPI Employees Union (BPIEU)- Southern Tagalog – one of the core constituencies that successfully pushed Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) to pledge that the bank would divest from coal – also joined the workshop to share their positions and experiences.
The workshop was successful in providing a space for healthy debate and discussion on just energy transition, renewable energy, and coal phase-down/out between trade unionists and climate and energy campaigners. Various concerns by the workers were raised, such as: potential lay-offs, lack of social protection measures for workers and communities, existing ability of renewable energy in the Philippines to meet energy demand, the major role of government in implementing a just transition, and the limitations imposed by a privatized and corporate-dominated Philippine energy sector.
KAMPSS leaders also highlighted the necessity of protecting the right of freedom of association in the transition, sharing their current experience of how Aboitiz Power – one of the major power companies in the Philippines – recently took over their powerplant without recognizing the existing union and not absorbing the union officers.
After deepening their collective understanding of what climate justice and a just transition should entail, all participants and organizers agreed on the following propositions:
- There is a climate crisis and we need to act. Workers and their trade unions are not exempted from this responsibility to act.
- The energy transition is inevitable. This transition must be made just for all workers and affected communities. Workers and their trade unions must be at the forefront of the struggle for just transition.
- There are local struggles: union busting, unfair labor practices, etc. These should be addressed by the Just Transition agenda.
At the conclusion of the workshop and dialogue, all participants and organizers agreed on the following action points:
- Organize a Quezon Province-wide Climate Change Conference involving trade unions, affected communities, CSO’s, provincial and local governments of Quezon, and national government agencies.
- Form the Workers for Just Transition Quezon Province Chapter with the leadership of the two (2) coal plant unions. This formation will lead popular education sessions for unions and engage the government on the 13-point All-Labor Just Transition Agenda developed by the Workers for Just Transition – an alliance of 11 national trade unions centers and federations.
- Develop Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) format that is anchored on a just transition framework that includes concrete proposals and work to ensure this kind of CBA is ratified.
- Develop a sectoral agenda on Just Transition that coal plant workers and unions nationwide can get behind.
- Demand social dialogue with government and employers on the issue of just transition and coal phase-down/out, initially by raising this in the Regional Tripartite Council (Region 4A). The sectoral agenda should be presented there.
- More detailed notes on the discussion here: Notes: Oct 17 JT workshop
- Photos here: 101725 FFW x APMDD Just Transition – Coal Workers (Lucena, Quezon)
Photo credit: Red Sierra