SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER

Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.

* indicates required
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Amanda Torres-Price, 617-314-5840, aprice@seiu32bj.org

32BJ SEIU Executive Board Passes Resolution Supporting Green New Deal

Union Renews Long-Time Commitment to Renewable Energy & Good Jobs for All Communities

WASHINGTON

The following statement can be attributed to Hector Figueroa, president of 32BJ SEIU, the largest property service union in the country.

"As a union representing 163,000 doormen, security officers, cleaners and airport workers up and down the east coast, we support the Green New Deal, which was officially introduced today by New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey. For the first time, our elected officials recognize that our climate and economic crises are intertwined and can only be solved with bold and effective government action. We reside in coastal cities that have been flooded by storms like Hurricanes Sandy and Maria, so we know this kind of ambitious, large scale vision to reduce greenhouse gasses and switch to renewable energies is both doable and indispensable.

For labor unions like ours, climate change is an environmental issue, an economic opportunity and a political challenge that we know can destabilize our communities. This is an opportunity to tackle economic inequality and re-industrialize America with a green economy through jobs that, with the right training, can provide career ladders for many low-wage workers who struggle to afford the high cost of living. At 32BJ, we have pioneered Green Buildings Programs that serve as large scale examples that investing in long-term training and education for current workers can help them become leaders in this kind of bold vision to reduce greenhouse gasses, switch to renewable energies, and create good jobs.

As our country weighs the viability of the Green New Deal, we urge elected officials, labor unions, environmental groups and community organizations to support and grow its vision and to be smart, compassionate and bold."

With 2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy.