Whom is sustainable development for? Deliberative democracy and the role of unions

Agenda 21 (UNCED, 1992) highlighted the role unions and workers might play in fostering the principles of sustainable development. It targeted the movement's traditional focus on human rights, equity, democracy and fair, decent and sustainable employment. The international union discourse on sustainable development that preceded the WSSID (2002) indicated that unions see themselves as part of a social movement towards deliberative democracy focused on sustainable development. The paper draws upon an evolving research relationship between academics and the union movement in New Zealand. The inquiry examines conceptions of sustainable development held by union members; how the concept relates to the workplace in New Zealand; what function it may play in 'union renewal' and the potential role of unions in promoting sustainable development in the workplace and broader community. In this initial paper, an account is provided of conceptions of sustainable development held by senior union officials in New Zealand. Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.