A new alliance of union and environment groups in the Hunter was officially formed in November. Called the Hunter Jobs Alliance, its aim is ending the failed “jobs versus environment” dynamic that has been holding the region, and country, back.
The Alliance has been spearheaded by the NSW Branch of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, working in partnership with Labor Environment Action Network, Federation and other unions and state and regional environmental groups.
“There is obviously a lot of work to do, but this partnership gives us a platform in the Hunter to start the transition, support workers and the climate strike movement and actually look at a statutory body that, if successful, could be rolled out across the country,” Federation Country Organiser Jack Galvin Waight said.
The Hunter Jobs Alliance aims to build an activist foundation out of its membership and will organise a summit in March 2021 to bring workers, environmentalists, business and government together to discuss the region’s future. If you would like to be more involved view hunterjobsalliance.org.au or contact Federation’s Newcastle office via [email protected].