While debates about whether students should be allowed to take part in youth-led climate strike events, events as part of youth-led global actions appear in advance of each coordinated event, many adults walk in solidarity with young people.
“Our [trade] union is built on the belief that through collective action real and progressive change can be achieved. Our activists are honoured to have been asked to assist a number of grassroots organisations of young people who are focused on ensuring that there is effective action taken to deal with the existential crisis that is climate change.
In relation to the strike on Friday, the students have agreed that SIPTU activists will assist with the logistics and stewarding of what are likely to be large demonstrations in Cork and Dublin.
“Students are exploring possibilities for working together with trade unions on common demands such as the call for a ‘just transition’ that will ensure that the move to sustainable energy sources is managed in a manner which adequately considers the interests of workers and the communities in which they live.”
Source: SIPTU
Year: 2019
Text by Yvonne O’Callaghan (quoted in SIPTU Press Release 22 May 2019)
For more, check out Yvonne’s interview on the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects podcast.
Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects is organised by developmenteducation.ie, an online hub focused on learning about the unequal and unjust shape of the world today, and is coordinated by Aidlink, Concern Worldwide, the Irish Development Education Association, the National Youth Council of Ireland, Self Help Africa, Trócaire and 80:20 Educating and Acting for a Better World.
DevelopmentEducation.ie is part funded by Irish Aid.
