The Union strongly believes that climate change is union business. We know that climate change threatens our health by increasing the risks of heatwaves, bushfires, droughts and storms, displacing people and straining our health systems. We are facing a climate emergency.
On 20 September students across Australia and the world will start a week of climate emergency activism starting with a huge strike action.
The Union fully supports students taking action to address the climate emergency and we encourage all members to support the strike by attending with your family, friends and colleagues.
While the Union encourages members to support the school strike make sure you do so without falling afoul of our harsh industrial laws. If you’re considering on supporting the action by attending the strike you might want to consider taking leave or using TOIL. Since the school strike will be happening during lunch time you might think about having a longer lunch but be mindful of your shift requirements.
If you’re concerned that attending the strike might cause you some problems you can still show your support by organising a workplace action. This can be as simple as having a special lunch to highlight the gravity of the climate emergency while taking selfies with signs that explain what you’re doing and why and then sharing them on social media.
You can find out more about the next school strike for climate here and you can find resources to help promote the climate emergency action here.
And while you’re at it, another vital action you can take is to let your superannuation fund know you want them to stop investing in fossil fuels.
Unfortunately HESTA and First State Super (FSS), Australia’s biggest health industry super funds, are investing our money in fossil fuels – coal, oil and gas. It’s not good enough that Health industry super funds are investing in fossil fuels when we know the dangers that climate change presents for the planet’s health and well-being.
Join us in asking HESTA and FSS to divest from fossil fuels at www.healthyfutures.net.au/divest
