sustainable chemicals management a canadian labour perspective framing a future chemicals policy...
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Sustainable Chemicals Management
A Canadian Labour PerspectiveFraming a Future Chemicals Policy
Conference
Boston - April 28-29, 2005
Who are We?
• 3 million men and women across Canada• Local unions and labour councils• Affiliated National and “International” unions• Canadian Labour Congress
– Health and Safety Committee– Environment Committee
• International Confederation of Free Trade Unions
Policy Transformation• 1980’s Workplace Hazardous Materials
Information SystemFirst and only unified National and Provincial
program relating to workers’ healthClassification and labellingFocus on workplaceMandatory substitution in only 2 jurisidictionsIn some jurisdictions actually stalled community
right to know
• 1993 National Policy Position On Regulating Hazardous Substances
Recognition of link between environmental and health and safety concerns
Shift in focus to substitution and pre toxicity testing away from controls
Not to rely on OELsPrimarily worker exposures
• 1998 National Pollution Prevention Strategy and Workers’ Manual on Pollution Prevention
Prior policy (1992) still focused on emission controls, on-site recycling etc.
Zero discharge of pollutants based initially on hazard assessment, not risk
Clear linkage between workers, community (environmental health), and environment
Comprehensive program including tax on corporate use of chemicals (TURI influence)
Introduced transition for workers as a core component
Collective bargaining - CLC produced a Workers’ Manual on Pollution Prevention with assistance from CELA.
• 1999 Policy on Just Transition for Workers During Environmental Change
Alternative employment for displaced workers Protection of income through unemployment insurance Support for communities to start new industries Preferential hiring for displaced workers Education and training for displaced workers Research and development for sustainable production Public investment funds for new sustainable industries and
services
• 2001 Green Jobs Creation ProjectComprehensive program describing public
investment, green taxation policy, and just transition filling in the details of the 1999 policy
Key Components
• Linking OHS with Environment• Coalitions with Environmental NGOs• Centred on Pollution Prevention not Emissions
Control• Just transition for affected workers and
communities• Support for an Active Public Policy to Create a
Sustainable Economy
Case Examples• Bargaining substitution to reduce or eliminate
worker exposures• Lobbying Government Nationally with
Environmental NGOs – Pesticide regulation– CEPA Review - pollution prevention
planning– GHS Implementation
Case Examples 2• Labour/Environment community alliances
– Banning Cosmetic Use of Pesticides– Cancer Prevention Strategies – National,
Provincial, and Municipal– Community Education - LEAS, CAW,
USWA– Community Right to Know– Extended Producer Responsibility
Challenges and Limitations
• Engages limited portion of movement so far• Federal/Provincial Division of Powers• Lack of Political Will to Regulate• Economic and Job Blackmail• Corporations and their Lobbyists• Lack of Information and Available Alternatives• Limited Resources/Other Priorities