Green, the Color of Good Jobs

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/02/23/green-the-color-of-good-jobs/

by Tula Connell, Feb 23, 2008

This is a crosspost from Firedoglake.

The union movement is turning green. Not with envy, but with an escalating sense that the nation must work to address climate change and that we must be part of the effort to create good jobs that also are green jobs.

Last December, an unprecedented delegation of unionists traveled to Bali, Indonesia, for the U.N. climate change conference. Of the 90 union delegates, more than 20 were from North America.



Roger Toussaint, president of Transport Workers (TWU) Local 100 in New York, was one of them. He explained the need for union involvement this way:

We have to rise to the challenge of climate change by making it a key priority for our unions. A trade union agenda, rooted in the organized strength of workers and day-to-day engagement in affected communities, can help transition our society to a low-carbon future. This will bring “green” employment in such areas as public transportation, which is critically important now and in the years ahead.

I firmly believe all leaders of America’s working people must take immediate steps to familiarize themselves and their organizations with the issues involved and figure out the obligations of their appropriate job sectors. Nationally, the union movement must take the lead in shaping policy and legislation needed in this area. We need meaningful engagement and decisive action. We are on borrowed time, but the chance to make our mark on the process is there for the taking.

Earlier this month, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney addressed the Investor Summit on Climate Risk where he said investors, workers and government must come together to create a stable climate and a strong global economy that creates good jobs.

The global economy cannot prosper unless we secure a stable climate and sustainable sources of energy. Global warming means global depression, food and water shortages and drowned cities. I have stood in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward and seen that future.

Al Gore also spoke at the one-day meeting, sponsored in part by the United Nations Foundation and including more than 450 investor, financial and corporate leaders, who together control more than $20 trillion in investment capital.

FULL story at link.