afl-cio
Pennsylvania trade unions push for clean energy jobs as the state transitions away from fossil fuels
A coalition of Pennsylvania unions has launched Union Energy to ensure that workers benefit from the state’s shift to clean energy while advocating for unionized jobs in emerging industries.
In short:
- Pennsylvania’s fossil fuel industry is shrinking, and clean energy jobs have yet to fully replace lost positions.
- Union Energy, led by the AFL-CIO, aims to secure good-quality union jobs in the clean energy sector.
- Training programs are also being created to help workers transition into new roles, such as cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells.
Key quote:
“We want clean air, we want clean water, we want to be able to see our children and grandchildren run atound the earth like we did as children.”
— Angela Ferritto, president of Pennsylvania's AFL-CIO
Why this matters:
As Pennsylvania transitions to clean energy, ensuring that jobs are unionized and well-paid is crucial for workers' economic security. Collaboration between unions and environmental groups could accelerate this shift.
Related:
A top A.F.L.-C.I.O. official joins Greenpeace USA
A top A.F.L.-C.I.O. official joins Greenpeace USA
Signaling the growing importance of ties between labor and environmental organizers on climate change, the A.F.L.-C.I.O.’s third-ranking official has announced that he was leaving to join Greenpeace USA.