Approved February 21, 2019
WHEREAS, climate change is an urgent crisis confronting people all over the world: extreme weather, rising sea levels, and pollution are wreaking havoc on the planet; and
WHEREAS, the climate crisis exacerbates already-existing systemic injustices along racial, regional, social, and economic lines; and
WHEREAS, the climate crisis highlights growing income inequality and a decline in labor standards in the United States; and
WHEREAS, SEIU 509 has recently worked, mobilized and advocated along with other unions, environmental organizations, and communities impacted for a science-based solution to the impacts of climate change
WHEREAS, the climate crisis has had a disproportionate impact on “frontline communities” (including Indigenous communities, communities of color, migrant communities, deindustrialized communities, the poor, low-income workers, women, the elderly, the unhoused, people with disabilities, and youth); and
WHEREAS, the Green New Deal Resolution, sponsored by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Ed Markey, was introduced, February 6, 2019 in the U.S. Congress; and
WHEREAS, the Green New Deal Resolution is an extremely ambitious framework for a series of projects and policies to achieve the following goals, among others, by the year 2030:
- Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions through a fair and just transition for frontline communities and workers;
- Millions of good, high-wage jobs and ensure prosperity and economic security for all;
- Investments in U.S. infrastructure, industry, and society to sustainably meet the challenges of the 21st century;
- Clean air and water, climate resiliency, sustainable livelihoods, and access to nature for all for generations to come; and
- Justice and equity for frontline communities by repairing current and historic harms;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Executive Board of SEIU Local SEIU 509 wholeheartedly endorses the Green New Deal Resolution and urges its swift adoption by the U.S. Congress; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Joint Executive Board reaffirms its commitment to a 100% clean and renewable energy economy, including:
- A massive investment in energy efficient infrastructure to ensure clean drinking water, affordable and efficient public transportation, energy efficient buildings and schools;
- Good jobs, labor peace and union-friendly policies in the green energy economy; and
- Investment in good jobs in communities historically dependent on the fossil fuel industry so that no workers and no communities are left behind.