CTU MEDIA RELEASE
20 September 2007

Unions support ambitious reduction targets

“The union movement supports the ambitious reduction targets announced today because we agree that climate change is having a damaging effect on the planet and is harmful to workers and their families,” CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

“The climate change strategy clearly impacts on all New Zealanders. The CTU will want to talk with government and industry on any employment affects from climate change policies.”

“There are 350,000 union members under our umbrella, and the CTU is also discussing with government how we can engage our members on reducing energy emissions.”

“We also want to discuss ways that costs on lower income workers can be minimised, and we see sense in this being done in ways that ensures emissions are reduced.”

“There are a number of options in this regard, and may be a mix of income support, public transport investment and assistance with home insulation and other housing initiatives,” Ross Wilson said.

ENDS

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