1. The
Labor-Management Joint Declaration and Collective Bargaining Agreement at Each Union Branch for Climate Action at the Industry
Level 2. “Be Wise to Live More Sustainably” Campaign The KHMU (Korean Health and Medical
Workers’ Union, President Na Soon-ja) has been campaigning for climate action
to mitigate climate change. The campaign “Be Wise to Live More Sustainably” is
one of its efforts to encourage union members to join forces in living everyday
life in more environmentally friendly ways. The KHMU newly formed a Solidary with
Society Unit in 2021 and adopted a “Special Resolution for Climate Action” in
its Regular Congress in February, 2022. The industry-level healthcare union has
since been implementing multiple activities. First, the Union held its first
expert discussion session in April. Plus, in a one-day education session, it
has provided relevant information to all union members in a climate change
video it produced. Union members positively evaluated the video-based
trainings. Also, the Union produced and circulated a series of news briefs with
simple texts and images, known as “Card News” in South Korea, and union members
used them to take a selfie photo with the one-page news card and upload it to
raise public awareness of climate issues. At the same time, the Union joined Climate
Strike Korea as an organization and added their forces to this non-profit that
fights climate change. The KHMU ran a training program for its
executive committee members in Samcheok city, Gangwon province where a campaign
against the Samcheok coal power plant’s power generation is taking place. The
Union also participated in local campaign activities. Plus, in 2021 and 2022,
it has funded the Climate Disobedience Fund that supports climate activities. Initiated by the KHMU, the 2021
industry-level collective bargaining reached an agreement on joint climate
action between labor and management. The two parties supported a common
resolution that the healthcare industry should protect people’s lives from the
spread of infectious diseases arising from climate challenges and endeavor to
make our society more sustainable. Based on this perception, they agreed to the
following actions: ▲ providing regular training sessions on climate issues to
the entire staff ▲ conducting a labor-management joint climate campaign for
patients and caregivers ▲ establishing a response system in case of medical and
infectious disease disasters, reducing greenhouse gases in hospital buildings
and premises, coming up with ways to use more renewable energy sources and use
energy more efficiently, providing eco-friendly cups within hospitals, using
local agri-products, designating Day of Veggie Meals for employees’ menus, and
using fewer one-off disposable living items. In addition, on November 17, 2018, the
KHMU held the Labor Management Joint Declaration Ceremony with employers from
102 medical institutions. The declaration highlights “The healthy earth only
allows human beings to be healthy.” Since both labor and management signed the
industry-level agreement, each union branch has been negotiating with its
employers on how to respond to the climate crisis, and their agreement details local
actions and other activities. In 2022, the KHMU selected a person in
charge of climate actions per each of the 11 local branches and has been
discussing how to respond to climate challenges on a regular basis.
Furthermore, the “Be Wise to Live More Sustainably” campaign occurs every quarter
to help union members raise their awareness of the climate crisis in daily
lives and acquaint members with low-carbon habits. The Union also plans to
organize a one-day education program and “Climate School” courses for its
members during the latter half of this year. In addition, the KHMU will play an
active role in the protest called “September 24 Climate Justice March” with the
banner “Climate disaster, we can’t endure it anymore!” The rally will open its
stage in the Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul at 3:00 pm on September 24. In the meantime, the KHMU has been
conducting a “Paperless Conference” campaign for the last five years. One of
the actions of the campaign has been to skip a conference booklet and other printed
conference materials. The regular congress provides electronic files to
participants on a USB drive. Likewise, members of the General Executive
Committee and Central Steering Committee use laptop computers for reference
materials, rather than hard copies of those materials. Also in the last several
years, regular congresses and other meeting supply no paper cups. Attendees
have been encouraged to bring their own cups to drink water, tea, and coffee.
(KHMU Newsletter on 4 dated on September 20, 2022)
The KHMU Works on Climate Action in Everyday Life
by KANG,YeonBae posted Sep 20, 2022 Replies 0
첨부 '2' |
---|