The CWU and the Environment Course

23 July 2010

It has to be said that the last few months have been without doubt hard for the CWU, with the Business Transformation Deal for postal workers, BT Pay "We are worth more" campaign and ongoing negotiations on pay with Parcelforce Worldwide. After all this Reps from the Eastern Region were still committed to attending a course at Alvescot for an issue that should be close to everyone's heart Climate Change.

At the recent Eastern Regional Youth Committee meeting we had Maeve Kennedy, CWU Climate Solidarity Project Worker, along to discuss the work she was undertaking. It was at this meeting that the idea of a Climate Solidarity School was first raised by Richard Wilkins (eastern Region Youth Secretary). Thanks to Paul Moffat (Eastern Regional Secretary) the idea was then taken up and run for the Region as a whole.

After a lot of hard work by the Training Department, Maeve Kennedy and Paul Moffat the weekend finally arrived on Friday 23^rd July 2010. Fifteen reps from around the Region descended on Alvescot for The CWU & the Environment Weekend these included representation of the youth by Richard Wilkins, Helen Mead, Mel Reynolds, Ian Emms, Tom Oakey and Dan Downer.

Haydon Wills tutor for Solihull College was the person given the challenge to run the weekend. And what an excellent job he did. Over the weekend we watched a DVD called "Age is stupid". This DVD gave a very grim outlook on the future unless we the citizens of not only UK but all around the globe do something to make a difference. Discussions were held under the following titles Environment Definitions, Trade Unions & the Environment, Taking Responsibility, Environmental Priority Issue and then the Future Action Plan. The event had two guest speakers, Nick Perks from Climate Outreach and Information Network and the other being Tony Kearns, Senior Deputy General Secretary, of the CWU. Both speakers added to the event with their different perspectives and knowledge of the subject.

Tony Kearns covered from how the Climate Solidarity project was being funded by the government and supported by five national unions including the CWU. Tony raised that under the present government the project was now under threat. Tony also spoke on the possible Capitalist solutions that have been popularised by Johnathan Porritt as well as the work by Mark Lynas. Tony also spoke of how some hardcore environmentalists have a deep mistrust of Unions that needs to be overcome. Tony also spoke about the climate sceptics who are a problem when in reality they are actually climate deniers. Tony also said businesses need to get more involved Royal Mail and BT included.

It also has to be said that we held the course in the right place. Alvescot's power is supplied by solar panels, the toilet flushes supplied by recycled rain water.

I would like to personally thank Paul Moffat , Maeve Kennedy, Tony Kearns, Nick Perks, Haydon Wills, and all those who attended and made the weekend such a success.

Richard Wilkins
Eastern Regional Youth Committee Secretary

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