An estimated 7.6 million people joined the global climate strike September 20-27, making it the largest demonstration against climate change in the world’s history. There were more than six thousand events in 185 countries. 1.4 million participated in Germany; 1 million in Italy; 600,000 in Canada; 500,000 in the US; 350,000 in Australia; and 350,000 in the United Kingdom.
The strike was part of an on-going series organized by young people around the world. This time the youth asked adults to join them. A wide swath of U.S. unions were among those who answered the call.
On a Labor Network for Sustainability video call, unions from around the country reported back on their participation. Here are some of the highlights:
Service Employees Locals of Service Employees International Union and Fight for $15 turned out in 16 cities – New York, Boston, Washington DC, San Juan, Detroit, Tampa, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, St Louis, Columbus, Seattle, Portland and San Francisco.
SEIU locals turned out members, provided financial support to student organizations, supported logistics and social media. Nationally, SEIU promoted the strike through a multi-day social media campaign including a solidarity video with SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry. SEIU Local 1 Member leader and veteran school janitor Erica Sanchez told a Chicago rally, “It’s the youth who are leading the way. For months, young people have been going on strike to demand climate action. And today, adults are joining them to build a multigenerational movement. I’m here not just for myself but for my daughter. She must be able to live in a safe, healthy world. Any further delay will deny our generation and future generations a livable, just future.”
Teachers American Federation of Teachers locals and members participated in the strikes in New York City, New Jersey, Washington, DC, San Francisco, and many other locations around the country. AFT President Randi Weingarten, who marched with AFT members from the United Federation of Teachers (New York City public schools), the Professional Staff Congress (City University of New York) and United University Professions (State University of New York) in New York City, sent a message to AFT members: “From students walking out in solidarity against gun violence, to young people marching for action on climate change across the world, we see powerful examples of what happens when young people take action for change.” For a report on educator participation from the AFT News: Global Climate Strike demonstrates mass movement to address climate change
The AFT local at Rutgers University along with other trade unionists, students, and community members organized a Central Jersey Climate Coalition that demanded Rutgers become carbon-neutral by 2030 – whereupon the president of the university appointed a committee to make a plan to be carbon-neutral by 2030 chaired by one of its advocates. The national AFT is now forming a climate working group.
The Massachusetts Teachers Association, associated with the National Education Association and the largest union in Massachusetts, passed a resolution supporting a strike for the Green New Deal and encouraging the National Education Association to do the same. It supported the student strike, recruited teachers to work with student strike groups, organized buses for high school and college students to attend strike events, and plans to continue working with youth climate strike organizers.
Communications Workers CWA members from Districts 9 and 1 and locals 9119, 9404, 9410, 9412 and 9415, among others, joined the climate strike. D9 Vice President Frank Arce wrote to all D9 Locals:
Massive wildfires, category 5 hurricanes, years long dought and unprecedented flooding, sea level rise, heat waves and crop failures, all exacerbated by the human created climate breakdown. This is a critical moment in human history. Global fossil fuel emissions from our use of oil, coal, and gas are still going up, driving our climate crisis further towards catastrophe. All around the world youth have been going on school strike to demand urgent climate action to protect their health, safety, lives and futures. Collective action and power may be our last and best chance.”
Lead Activist Amanda Bratcher of CWA’s youth program America’s Next Generation said,
“We’re proud to support the climate strikes. It’s way past time for us to demand genuine solutions to a crisis that’s already wreaking havoc for so many people around the world, whether it’s in the form of extreme weather such as Hurricane Dorian or increased risk to workers from heat-related illnesses or critically endangered infrastructure in our communities.”
UE The United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America was the first industrial union to pass a resolution supporting the global climate strike. UE members participated in the actions in Burlington and Montpelier, VT, Pittsburg PA, Chicago, and California. UE affiliate Warehouse Workers for Justice helped lead support for Amazon workers in Chicago and elsewhere. More >>
San Francisco Bay Area On September 20, 200 union members marched in the Labor Contingent, three miles through downtown San Francisco along with 40,000 other participants. Workers demanded that world leaders take immediate, bold action on climate change and to raise standards for working people. Spirited chants included “Green New Deal, Make it Real! Just Transition, that’s our mission!” and “One Job Should Be Enough, One Planet is All We Have.” Union members joined other Bay Area actions in Berkeley, Santa Rosa, Chico, and Sacramento.
Three central labor councils endorsed and turned out: San Francisco Labor Council, Alameda Central Labor Council, Contra Costa Labor Council. Twenty-four unions participated in the labor contingent, including CWA, CNA, Peralta Federation of Teachers, SEIU 1021 and 2015, United Educators San Francisco, Oakland Education Association, Unite Here Local 2, IFPTE L21 and 20, Sheet Metal Workers, ILWU, IWW, Inland Boatman Union, AFSCME 3299, UAW 5810/2865, California Faculty Association, BFT, Sierra Club Union, Jobs with Justice, Carpenter 2236, Teamsters, and AFGE. Other actions with labor participation included a painting of street murals in the San Francisco financial district and an oil company blockade. Labor participation was mobilized by Labor Rise for Climate, Jobs, Justice, & Peace, an affiliate of the Labor Network for Sustainability.
New York Eleven New York unions officially endorsed the climate strikes, including:
- 1199 Service Employees International Union
- American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees DC37
- Communication Workers of America
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters Joint Council 16
- New York City Labor Council For Latin American Advancement
- New York State Nurses Alliance
- Professional Staff Congress/City University of New York
- Service Employees International Union 32BJ
- United Federation of Teachers
- United Food and Commercial Workers Local 888
Unions particularly active in turning out members included AFSCME District Council 37, New York State Nurses Alliance, City University of New York PSC, and SEIU 1199.
Above: Labor Street Mural in San Francisco – September 25, 2019.
Above: LNS Senior Organizer Mike Cavanaugh (L) and Maria Castaneda, Secretary-Treasurer 1199 SEIU United Health, Care Workers East represent the labor contingent during the New York #climatestrikes.
- 1199 Service Employees International Union
- 1199 Service Employees International Union United Healthcare Workers East
- Alameda Labor Council
- American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, DC 37
- American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Local 1072
- American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Local 3299
- American Federation of Teachers
- American Federation of Teachers Guild, Local 1931
- Berkeley Federation of Teachers
- California Faculty Association
- California Federation of Teachers
- Communication Workers of America
- Inland Boatman’s Union
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters Joint Council 16
- Labor Council for Latin American Advancement
- Massachusetts Teachers Association
- New York State Nurses Association
- Professional Staff Congress-CUNY
- Railroad Workers United
- Rutgers American Association of University Professors-American Federation of Teachers
- Service Employees International Union
- Service Employees International Union, Local 1021
- UNITE HERE!
- United Auto Workers, Local 2865
- United Auto Workers, Local 5810
- United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America
- United Federation of Teachers
- United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 888
- University Professional and Technical Employees/Communication Workers of America, Local 9119
- Vermont AFL-CIO