Advisory

Labor and Environmental Organizations Across the Country Stand Together to Support the American Jobs Plan

Jun 3, 2021

Nick Abraham, nabraham@lcv.org, 206-833-7021

Washington, D.C. — Since President Biden first introduced his American Jobs Plan, state labor unions and environmental organizations across the country have joined together in solidarity to support his recovery package. They have repeatedly made clear that we must lift up working families and protect our environment at the same time. From Southern Florida to Duluth Minnesota, labor and environmental leaders have highlighted critical investments in President Biden’s infrastructure plan that will create good paying union jobs and transition the country to 100% clean energy.

“With the president’s plan, we finally have a chance to address the intersecting health, economic, social and climate crises we face, through bold investments that can truly Build Back Better with justice and equity.”

  • WisconsinWisconsin Examiner
    • Opinion piece authored by Pam Fendt, Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee of Laborers’ International Union of North America and Jennifer Giegerich, Government Affairs Director of Wisconsin Conservation Voters

“President Biden’s plan is a great start. Now it’s time for Congress to step up and pass a plan that makes these necessary investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, and the clean economy.”

  • Minnesota Duluth News Tribune
    • Opinion piece authored by Dan Olson, International Liaison and Business Manager for Local 1091 Laborers’ International Union of North America and Paul Austin, Executive Director Conservation Minnesota Voter Center

“Congress has been presented a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a more equitable and just future using strategies to help our communities recover and prosper by creating millions of good-paying union jobs, updating our country’s infrastructure, and putting us on a path to 100% clean energy.”

  • MichiganPress & Guide
    • Opinion piece authored by Ron Bieber, President of Michigan AFL-CIO and Lisa Wozniak, Executive Director of Michigan League of Conservation Voters

“The president’s transformational plan is truly a win for our environment and health, a win for our economy and a win for working Americans.”

  • FloridaTampa Bay Times
    • Opinion piece authored by Aliki Moncrief, Executive Director of Florida Conservation Voters and Dr. Rich Templin Legislative and Political Director for Florida chapter of the American Federation of Labor — Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)

“Everyone who stands for fair, union jobs and climate action can come together. In this plan, pro-workers and pro-environment voices can sing in unison.”

  • VirginiaVirginia Pilot
    • Opinion piece authored by Lee Francis, Deputy Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters and Roxana Mejia, Government and Political Affairs Director for International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 51. 

“As negotiations in Washington continue, with some claiming the AJP is too broad and too bold, we urge Congress to rise to the occasion, seize this opportunity to retool our economy, create new jobs, and give working Americans the chance to thrive, instead of delivering just another pothole bill.”

  • MassachusettsMassLive
    • Opinion piece authored by Elizabeth Turnbull Henry, President of the Environmental League of Massachusetts and Steven A. Tolman, President, Massachusetts AFL-CIO.

“We can create an economic recovery that does not leave anyone behind. Building back better means every community has a place in the clean economy. It is crucial that Congress’ infrastructure plan targets at least 40% of investments to low-income areas, communities of color, and places that have been impacted by energy transition.”

  •  Colorado – Colorado Newsline
    • Opinion piece authored by Dennis Dougherty, Executive Director Colorado AFL-CIO and Jessica Goad, Deputy Director Conservation Colorado.

“With one voice, we call on Colorado’s members of Congress to step up, to lead by example, and to support and strengthen President Biden’s American Jobs Plan, and to do it now.”

  •  Ohio – Cleveland Plains Dealer
    • Opinion piece authored by Tom Conway, International President of United Steelworkers and Gene Karpinski, President League of Conservation Voters.

“Congress has an unprecedented opportunity right now to curb this destructive trend, invest in dedicated American workers like those at Sharon Tube and make renewable energy projects a linchpin of the nation’s post-pandemic recovery.”

  • New York – NY Daily News
    • Opinion piece authored by Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters. and Marc Herbst, President of NYRIC and executive director of Long Island Contractors’ Association

“As climate change continues to rage and the weather becomes more erratic, a critical investment in our climate infrastructure is needed more than ever for the safety of families across New York. No one should have to worry about a flash flood causing them to wade through water to get home from work, damage their property, or worse.”

  • New MexicoAlbuquerque Journal
    • Opinion piece authored by Rosendo Najar, New Mexico Business Representative for SW Regional Council of Carpenters and Molly Taylor, Deputy Director of Programs for Conservation Voters New Mexico

“The transition to clean energy creates tremendous economic opportunities for New Mexico and the people working to power our energy future. As President Joe Biden and Congress craft infrastructure deals … they must prioritize clean energy and the workforce development programs that will ensure our communities benefit for generations to come.”

  • MaineLewiston Sun Journal
    • Opinion piece authored by Kathleen Meil, director of policy and partnerships with Maine Conservation Voters and Grant Provos business agent with Ironworkers Local 7 in Maine as well as Mary Kaszynski is director of government relations with VoteVets.

“With the national conversation dominated by division — between conservatives, moderates, and progressives; between the House and the Senate; between the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework and the Build Back Better Act — our unequivocal unity may seem remarkable. But when we set aside our differences and focus on what’s at stake, common ground is just common sense. We cannot wait any longer to address the climate crisis, invest in our union workforce, and ensure veterans are cared for properly — and we can only do that together.”

  • AlaskaFairbanks Daily News-Miner
    • Opinion piece authored by Joelle Hall, President of Alaska AFL-CIO and Polly Carr, Executive Director of The Alaska Center

“Tackling climate change and creating jobs are inextricably linked. We need local workers who will build critical infrastructure that supports local communities and creates a stronger economy for generations to come.”

  • Maine – Bangor Daily News
    • Opinion piece authored by Dean Staffieri, President of MSEA-SEIU Local 1989.,Heather Marden, policy director of the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children, and Abbie Bradford, outreach coordinator of Maine Conservation Voters

“We need to pass the most comprehensive Build Back Better Act possible to address the climate crisis at the scale and speed that science and justice demand; to bring much needed relief to Maine families, childcare providers, and educators; and to create good-paying, union jobs in our growing clean energy economy.”

  • New York – Crains New York 
    • Opinion piece authored by Vincent Albanese, director of policy and public affairs of New York State Laborers’ Organizing Fund and Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters.

“New Yorkers have felt the brunt of the flooding caused by extreme storms, but it is lawmakers who will truly feel the effects at the ballot box if they do not make resiliency a priority. It’s time to refocus our climate agenda.”

  • PennsylvaniaMorning Call
    • Opinion piece authored by Molly Parzen, executive director of Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania and Rick Bloomingdale, former president of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO.

“The president’s plan would help make electric vehicles more affordable for working families while rebuilding our manufacturing sector by providing special incentives for cars and batteries built in the United States with union labor.”