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'It was essential to bring labour and environmental groups together.' - Darryl Walker.
Vancouver (16 Sept. 2010) - More than 100 labour and environmental leaders and activists came together recently in Vancouver to discuss strategies for transitioning to a sustainable green economy in B.C. built on good, union jobs.
The British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) helped to organize the meeting and was one of 25 groups represented.
BCGEU president Darryl Walker called the 'Jobs, Justice, Climate' conference a success. He was one of 100 delegates who took part in a series of workshops on Saturday.
“It was essential to bring labour and environmental groups together,” says Walker. “I was encouraged by how well we worked together. The energy level remained high and people had an opportunity to have a say. I’m very pleased.”
As for building on the momentum created at the conference, Walker adds that the steering committee intends to meet later this month to plan the next steps.
“We need to be ambitious but within reason. We have to decide what we can do, perhaps early next spring,” he notes.
One thing under consideration is adding more voices to the conversation.
“There are others, such as faith-based, First Nations and social justice groups, that would like to join us,” says Walker.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE