Sustainable Chemicals Management

1. Sustainable Chemicals Management A Canadian Labour Perspective Framing a Future Chemicals Policy Conference Boston - April 28-29, 2005

2. Who are We? • 3 million men and women across Canada • Local unions and labour councils • Affiliated National and “International” unions • Canadian Labour Congress • Health and Safety Committee • Environment Committee • International Confederation of Free Trade Unions

3. Policy Transformation • 1980’s Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System • First and only unified National and Provincial program relating to workers’ health • Classification and labelling • Focus on workplace • Mandatory substitution in only 2 jurisidictions • In some jurisdictions actually stalled community right to know

4. 1993 National Policy Position On Regulating Hazardous Substances • Recognition of link between environmental and health and safety concerns • Shift in focus to substitution and pre toxicity testing away from controls • Not to rely on OELs • Primarily worker exposures

5. 1998 National Pollution Prevention Strategy and Workers’ Manual on Pollution Prevention • Prior policy (1992) still focused on emission controls, on-site recycling etc. • Zero discharge of pollutants based initially on hazard assessment, not risk • Clear linkage between workers, community (environmental health), and environment

6. Comprehensive program including tax on corporate use of chemicals (TURI influence) • Introduced transition for workers as a core component • Collective bargaining - CLC produced a Workers’ Manual on Pollution Prevention with assistance from CELA.

7. 1999 Policy on Just Transition for Workers During Environmental Change • Alternative employment for displaced workers • Protection of income through unemployment insurance • Support for communities to start new industries • Preferential hiring for displaced workers • Education and training for displaced workers • Research and development for sustainable production • Public investment funds for new sustainable industries and services

8. 2001 Green Jobs Creation Project • Comprehensive program describing public investment, green taxation policy, and just transition filling in the details of the 1999 policy

9. Key Components • Linking OHS with Environment • Coalitions with Environmental NGOs • Centred on Pollution Prevention not Emissions Control • Just transition for affected workers and communities • Support for an Active Public Policy to Create a Sustainable Economy

10. Case Examples • Bargaining substitution to reduce or eliminate worker exposures • Lobbying Government Nationally with Environmental NGOs • Pesticide regulation • CEPA Review - pollution prevention planning • GHS Implementation

11. Case Examples 2 • Labour/Environment community alliances • Banning Cosmetic Use of Pesticides • Cancer Prevention Strategies – National, Provincial, and Municipal • Community Education - LEAS, CAW, USWA • Community Right to Know • Extended Producer Responsibility

12. Challenges and Limitations • Engages limited portion of movement so far • Federal/Provincial Division of Powers • Lack of Political Will to Regulate • Economic and Job Blackmail • Corporations and their Lobbyists • Lack of Information and Available Alternatives • Limited Resources/Other Priorities

13. Opportunities • Reconnecting Worker Health with Environment and Public Health • Labour and Environmental Coalitions • Exposing Impact of Toxic Legacies • Public Opinion • Changing Membership