Submitted by Rabbi Arthur Waskow on
Adopted by the IEB on 6-6-19 SEIU Resolution in Support of the Green New Deal
Whereas, there is an urgent need to address the climate change crisis, as the United Nations IPCC report recently declared that we only have 12 years to accomplish the massive shifts necessary to avoid the worst impacts of climate change;
Whereas, the Green New Deal aligns with our values and presents an unprecedented opportunity to unite the fights for environmental, racial, and economic justice and make inclusive prosperity and economic security available to all of us by calling for a fundamental reshaping of our economy
Whereas, the Green New Deal supports the right of all workers to have unions, no matter where they work; makes unions central to accomplishing the ambitious goal of an environmentally responsible and economically just society; and commits to providing universal healthcare and a good, union job with family-sustaining wages and benefits for everyone who wants one;
Whereas, SEIU members stand shoulder to shoulder with the 16 million unionized workers in America demanding that all workers in the energy sectors and industries that rely on fossil fuel deserve, if their jobs cease to exist, be able to transition into good union jobs in other sectors, with security for their families;
Whereas, SEIU’s work, with our partners, contributed to 2018 electoral gains in Midwest battleground states and pointed the way to rebuild pro-worker politics in communities too often exploited and abandoned by polluting industries and making a 2020 electoral breakthrough possible;
Whereas,
Whereas, SEIU members and workers fighting to win unions live and work in the communities most impacted by climate change and environmental injustice, and many are front line workers, dealing every day with the devastating impacts of climate change on the health and well-being of our families, our communities, and the people we take care of;
Whereas, SEIU members adopted a resolution at our Convention in 2016 for Environmental Justice for Working People;
Therefore, be it resolved that:
SEIU supports the Green New Deal because it is a framework for urgent action. We also support efforts by locals to reduce emissions in their geographies to address the worst impacts of climate change.
SEIU agrees that a massive infusion of public investment in reshaping our economy and strengthening our public sector is needed to adequately tackle the dual crises of climate change and inequality. We believe that government has a central role to play in leading a transition to a clean economy, creating millions of good jobs, and strengthening the resilience of our communities as they prepare for and respond to climate change events.
SEIU agrees that it is critical that the voices of frontline communities, including affected workers, be at the table and fully engaged in the conversation about policies to address climate change and inequality.
SEIU stands in solidarity with all in the labor movement who share our desire to create family-sustaining union jobs and a healthy and safe environment. Workers who have built and are dependent upon the fossil fuel industry must have:
SEIU members are committed to eradicating structural racism in all of its forms, including
environmental racism and recognize that the original New Deal reinforced structural racism and left out many
working people of color;
Therefore, be it resolved that:
SEIU supports the Green New Deal because it is a framework for urgent action. We also support efforts by locals to reduce emissions in their geographies to address the worst impacts of climate change.
SEIU agrees that a massive infusion of public investment in reshaping our economy and strengthening our public sector is needed to adequately tackle the dual crises of climate change and inequality. We believe that government has a central role to play in leading a transition to a clean economy, creating millions of good jobs, and strengthening the resilience of our communities as they prepare for and respond to climate change events.
SEIU agrees that it is critical that the voices of frontline communities, including affected workers, be at the table and fully engaged in the conversation about policies to address climate change and inequality.
SEIU stands in solidarity with all in the labor movement who share our desire to create family-sustaining union jobs and a healthy and safe environment. Workers who have built and are dependent upon the fossil fuel industry must have:
5 SEIU members are committed to eradicating structural racism in all of its forms, including
environmental racism and recognize that the original New Deal reinforced structural racism and left out many
working people of color;
Access to good union jobs, training and advancement if their current jobs cease to exist;
Guaranteed pensions and a bridge of wage support and healthcare until impacted workers find
comparable employment or reach retirement; and
Financial support for local community public services during a transition period.
5
And, be it further resolved that:
7. SEIU applauds the fearlessness and courage of the climate justice movement leaders who have used non-violent direct action to catapult the climate crisis to the forefront of our national consciousness.
8.
SEIU supports the Green New Deal’s insistence on eliminating structural racism, including environmental
racism, and its commitment to repairing the historic oppression of frontline
and vulnerable
communities.
SEIU calls on elected officials to act boldly in holding corporations accountable for the pollution and the
inequality that they create. This will require
Forcing corporations that do not provide family-sustaining wages and benefits, including those
in the new green economy like Tesla and fast food chains like McDonalds, to a table at which
their workers have an equal voice in shaping their jobs and the policies that affect their lives.
Compelling corporations to contribute to a massive national investment in a new clean energy
economy and to address the needs of communities of color so that no workers, families, or
communities are left behind.
SEIU will encourage members and workers fighting to win unions to participate in organizing against
climate change and inequality in our communities and will provide education and training materials to
assist this effort. SEIU recognizes these efforts may look different in different geographies and further
recognizes the leadership of our allies in this struggle. SEIU will balance our responsibility to lead with
our responsibility to back the leadership of our partners.
And, be it further resolved that:
7. SEIU applauds the fearlessness and courage of the climate justice movement leaders who have used non-violent direct action to catapult the climate crisis to the forefront of our national consciousness.
8.SEIU supports the Green New Deal’s insistence on eliminating structural racism, including environmental
racism, and its commitment to repairing the historic oppression of frontline and vulnerable communities.
SEIU calls on elected officials to act boldly in holding corporations accountable for the pollution and the
inequality that they create. This will require
Forcing corporations that do not provide family-sustaining wages and benefits, including those
in the new green economy like Tesla and fast food chains like McDonalds, to a table at which
their workers have an equal voice in shaping their jobs and the policies that affect their lives.
Compelling corporations to contribute to a massive national investment in a new clean energy
economy and to address the needs of communities of color so that no workers, families, or
communities are left behind.
SEIU will encourage members and workers fighting to win unions to participate in organizing against
climate change and inequality in our communities and will provide education and training materials to
assist this effort. SEIU recognizes these efforts may look different in different geographies and further
recognizes the leadership of our allies in this struggle. SEIU will balance our responsibility to lead with
our responsibility to back the leadership of our partners.
9. SEIU will coordinate and integrate advocacy for the Green New Deal with local unions and state councils across the country, and in particular in Midwest battleground states, to ensure that our fight for environmental justice aligns with organizing and political projects aimed at asserting the central importance of union rights and the voices of working class communities in the 2020 general election.
10. SEIU will join with the wider movement in supporting the Green New Deal’s call to create high quality union jobs and promote the rights of all workers to join together in unions, no matter where they work. We applaud the Green New Deal framers for recognizing the transformative power of an economy and democracy where millions more workers have a say through independent organizations.
11. SEIU will help build a wider movement that unites climate justice movement leaders with activists in
the racial justice, immigrant justice, healthcare justice, gender equality, and economic justice fights
into a powerful force for change to realize the most ambitious and transformative national project
imagined since the original New Deal.
