While still ludicrously claiming to be the party of the ordinary worker, the Labour Government have been putting in its own overtime defending the British opt-out from the Working Time Directive. Refusing to give way to the resolution which was led by Jean and passed by the European Parliament in recent months, our government continues to stand up for the 'right' of big business to exploit ordinary working people.
Meanwhile, you can see just how hard Jean has been working in her latest e-newsletter.
Also, further to the recent article on this blog about the Putting People First march, you may be interested to see the Green Party statement on the massive police overreaction in London over the last few days. Again, it is indicative of the Government we have, and how far it is from the Government we need, that they allow this kind of brutality to occur without a word of criticism or censure. Let's start voting in politicians who'll allow the people to speak, and who'll listen to them when they do!
Showing posts with label eu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eu. Show all posts
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Saturday, 14 March 2009
Jean's 'end of term report'
If any reader of this blog is still in any doubt about why re-electing Jean is an absolute imperative for a progressive London, perhaps they should check out this end of term report, produced by the Offices of Jean Lambert and Caroline Lucas.
As the report makes clear, our Green MEPs have been working hard over the last five years (and, indeed, the five before that!) to embed progressive values into EU legislation, and to oppose initiatives that attempt to push forward socially and environmentally destructive programmes.
If you still aren't convinced, why not hear from Jean herself about her views on public services!
As the report makes clear, our Green MEPs have been working hard over the last five years (and, indeed, the five before that!) to embed progressive values into EU legislation, and to oppose initiatives that attempt to push forward socially and environmentally destructive programmes.
If you still aren't convinced, why not hear from Jean herself about her views on public services!
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Green union reps
Jean has been working for many years on trade union issues, particularly in the areas of public services, opposition to privatisation, and the environment in the workplace. On the last issue, she was the co-sponsor of a Parliamentary Written Declaration in 2008 (number 88/2008), calling for legally mandated 'green reps' in workplaces. The idea has been championed by trade unions as a way to deliver greener workplaces through collective agreements between employers, employees and unions.
Dedicated green reps would raise environmental awareness as well as negotiate for the introduction of new environmental practices, and would have legal protection (as health and safety reps currently do, for example) and time during work to pursue environmental issues.
Over half of carbon emissions in the UK are work-related, so businesses have a vitally important role to play in tackling climate change.
Jean, who sits on the Employment and Social Affairs Committee in the European Parliament said:
"Dedicated union green reps have the potential to raise awareness of environmental issues and help to change behaviour in the workplace. They would also help deliver significant environmental improvements through engagement between employers and the workforce that will help the UK shift to a low carbon economy.
"There is huge potential for trade union members to play a significant role as green representatives at work, but to perform their role effectively they need legal recognition and the right to undertake relevant training and duties."
The Green Party of England and Wales adopted a motion at their last conference calling for Green Reps to be recognised under the law. This was put forward by Jean, and was passed unanimously. Jean has also recently published her new report on Green Work, which highlights the importance of giving Green Reps legal status.
To give credit where it is due, the Written Declaration was co-signed by Alejandro Cercas of the Socialist Group and Luigi Cocilovo from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.
To dole out some shame where it is deserved, six out of the other eight London MEPs didn't bother to sign the declaration. Another sign of why we need progressive MEPs like Jean in the Parliament.
************************************************************************************
WRITTEN DECLARATION pursuant to Rule 116 of the Rules of Procedure by Jean Lambert, Caroline Lucas, Alejandro Cercas and Luigi Cocilovo on workers’ environmental representatives
0088/2008
Written declaration on workers’ environmental representatives
The European Parliament,
– having regard to Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas, given the EU Sustainable Development Strategy, the European Council (Presidency Conclusions, 8-9 March 2007) has committed to 2020 EU targets of 20-30 % reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption reductions of 20 %, and 20 % of energy demand from renewables, and the Commission has proposed renewable energy targets for each Member State,
B. whereas industry’s meeting of environmental targets should be undertaken in a just way, requiring the active participation and support of employees and workplace representatives,
C. whereas trade unions are ideally placed to promote, implement, and help develop best environmental workplace practice,
D. whereas some employers and trade unions have developed environmental workplace policies, and workers’ environmental representatives are recognised in some workplaces,
1. Calls on the Council and Commission to acknowledge the importance of trade unions and workers’ environmental representatives in meeting environmental challenges, particularly delivering on the EU’s Sustainable Development Strategy and climate change and environmental objectives;
2. Calls on the Council and Commission to work to secure rights for workers’ environmental representatives, including time for relevant training, the undertaking of workplace environmental audits and other duties;
3. Calls on Member States to afford workers’ environmental representatives these aforementioned rights, and to work with trade unions and employers to achieve environmental objectives in the most just way;
4. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories, the Council, the Commission and Member States.
Dedicated green reps would raise environmental awareness as well as negotiate for the introduction of new environmental practices, and would have legal protection (as health and safety reps currently do, for example) and time during work to pursue environmental issues.
Over half of carbon emissions in the UK are work-related, so businesses have a vitally important role to play in tackling climate change.
Jean, who sits on the Employment and Social Affairs Committee in the European Parliament said:
"Dedicated union green reps have the potential to raise awareness of environmental issues and help to change behaviour in the workplace. They would also help deliver significant environmental improvements through engagement between employers and the workforce that will help the UK shift to a low carbon economy.
"There is huge potential for trade union members to play a significant role as green representatives at work, but to perform their role effectively they need legal recognition and the right to undertake relevant training and duties."
The Green Party of England and Wales adopted a motion at their last conference calling for Green Reps to be recognised under the law. This was put forward by Jean, and was passed unanimously. Jean has also recently published her new report on Green Work, which highlights the importance of giving Green Reps legal status.
To give credit where it is due, the Written Declaration was co-signed by Alejandro Cercas of the Socialist Group and Luigi Cocilovo from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.
To dole out some shame where it is deserved, six out of the other eight London MEPs didn't bother to sign the declaration. Another sign of why we need progressive MEPs like Jean in the Parliament.
************************************************************************************
WRITTEN DECLARATION pursuant to Rule 116 of the Rules of Procedure by Jean Lambert, Caroline Lucas, Alejandro Cercas and Luigi Cocilovo on workers’ environmental representatives
0088/2008
Written declaration on workers’ environmental representatives
The European Parliament,
– having regard to Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas, given the EU Sustainable Development Strategy, the European Council (Presidency Conclusions, 8-9 March 2007) has committed to 2020 EU targets of 20-30 % reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption reductions of 20 %, and 20 % of energy demand from renewables, and the Commission has proposed renewable energy targets for each Member State,
B. whereas industry’s meeting of environmental targets should be undertaken in a just way, requiring the active participation and support of employees and workplace representatives,
C. whereas trade unions are ideally placed to promote, implement, and help develop best environmental workplace practice,
D. whereas some employers and trade unions have developed environmental workplace policies, and workers’ environmental representatives are recognised in some workplaces,
1. Calls on the Council and Commission to acknowledge the importance of trade unions and workers’ environmental representatives in meeting environmental challenges, particularly delivering on the EU’s Sustainable Development Strategy and climate change and environmental objectives;
2. Calls on the Council and Commission to work to secure rights for workers’ environmental representatives, including time for relevant training, the undertaking of workplace environmental audits and other duties;
3. Calls on Member States to afford workers’ environmental representatives these aforementioned rights, and to work with trade unions and employers to achieve environmental objectives in the most just way;
4. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories, the Council, the Commission and Member States.
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
A glimpse into the European Parliament
As mentioned before on this blog, one of the big problems with advocating the re-election of even the best MEP is that most people find the European Parliament incredibly confusing.
Therefore, this article from the BBC is a welcome exception to the usual media blackout on all things MEP. It's all the more welcome as one of the MEPs that the journalist follows is our very own Jean Lambert. And, if you read through it, you will discover this little gem:
"Victory for the Greens!
Group leader Daniel Cohn-Bendit has just succeeded in getting a resolution on Gaza. After a fiery speech from the floor of the chamber (never thought I'd be writing that), MEPs voted by 105 to 86 for a resolution to be passed on the situation there.
The Parliament is due to debate the issue on Wednesday but there were no plans for a resolution to be issued.
The Greens want the resolution to condemn Israel and call for an immediate ceasefire on both sides, although that may be watered down by the time an agreement has been reached with the other groups - that's how it works out here.
The Socialist group wants to model any resolution on the UN's recent statement, but the Greens want to go much further, including possible trade sanctions and a halt to plans to officially upgrade the EU's relations with Israel.
Should be interesting to see who wins."
Therefore, this article from the BBC is a welcome exception to the usual media blackout on all things MEP. It's all the more welcome as one of the MEPs that the journalist follows is our very own Jean Lambert. And, if you read through it, you will discover this little gem:
"Victory for the Greens!
Group leader Daniel Cohn-Bendit has just succeeded in getting a resolution on Gaza. After a fiery speech from the floor of the chamber (never thought I'd be writing that), MEPs voted by 105 to 86 for a resolution to be passed on the situation there.
The Parliament is due to debate the issue on Wednesday but there were no plans for a resolution to be issued.
The Greens want the resolution to condemn Israel and call for an immediate ceasefire on both sides, although that may be watered down by the time an agreement has been reached with the other groups - that's how it works out here.
The Socialist group wants to model any resolution on the UN's recent statement, but the Greens want to go much further, including possible trade sanctions and a halt to plans to officially upgrade the EU's relations with Israel.
Should be interesting to see who wins."
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