Stand Up, New Zealand’s youth union movement, supports the School Strike 4 Climate taking place on Friday 15 March and congratulates all those taking part.
Students will walk out of schools across New Zealand in protest against the impending climate catastrophe and demanding urgent action from the government to curb carbon emissions.
“We think it’s fantastic, and we congratulate everyone who takes part,” says Stand Up co-convenor Caitlin Wilson.
“Teachers already took strike action to save the education system, so why shouldn’t students go on strike to save our planet?”
Echoing calls made by its parent organisation, the Council of Trade Unions, Stand Up is stressing the importance of a Just Transition.
Recognising the need to move away from fossil fuels, a Just Transition is one that ensures workers in those industries are not treated as disposable along the way.
“Young people are used to our perspective not always being taken seriously by those at the top, so we empathise with workers who worry that protecting the environment could lead to them losing their jobs and incomes,” says Ms Wilson.
“We want to reassure these workers, whether in Taranaki or anywhere else, that the trade union movement is united in pushing for the creation of Green Jobs that pay well and offer a secure future for working families.”