18 May, 2010Green manufacturing, job creation, clean energy, and environmental and occupational health and safety issues were subjects for debate at the BlueGreen Alliance's Good Jobs, Green Jobs national conference in the U.S. in May
USA: Over 3,500 participants from across the United States attended the 2010 Good Jobs-Green Jobs national conference which took place from May 4 to 6 in Washington D.C. The conference organized by the BlueGreen Alliance, a partnership of labour and environmental organizations, saw more than 100 workshops take place covering green manufacturing, job creation, clean energy, and environmental and occupational health and safety issues.
Over 70 labour, industry and academic leaders showcased how they are charting the path towards a green economy and developing green jobs. Keynote speakers Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis and other elected and administration officials. An array of issues were discuss during the conference such as the severity of job losses due to the economic crisis and whether a green economy would provide the jobs needed for the recovery. Also the critical role played by investment and innovation, in order to build a vibrant economy.
In his opening statement Leo Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers (USW), during a plenary session stated that, "We have built a movement and not just an organization, and we are going to fight for sustainable policies, not just at home, but all over the world." He explained how it was necessary to create the political will if progress was to be made both domestically and internationally.
Pelosi echoed these words when she said, "Working together, "Good Jobs, Green Jobs" has rallied an unlikely-yet strong coalition of leaders around a simple set of principles."
In the wake of the 11 workers killed on an oil rig on the gulf coast and also the U.S. average of 14 workers killed a day, a lot of attention was given to how a stronger Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) would help this situation improve. Also discussed was the link between health and safety issues the environment and the green economy. Addressing these concerns in her speech, Labor Secretary Solis said, "Just because we are moving from blue collar to green jobs, there should be no trade off for workers safety. Green does not mean less, it means more."
In recognition of the need to engage in the political process the USW held its Rapid Response meeting in tandem with the Good Jobs, Green Jobs conference. Nearly 700 USW grassroots activists attended and activities included training seminars on how to lobby including role playing, letter writing and building relationships with elected representatives. USW members then attended a rally on Capitol Hill and met with elected officials afterwards to seek support for the Protecting America's Workers Act (OSH Bill) on health and safety and Security in Energy and Manufacturing Act-SEAM Act, which calls for greater investment in green manufacturing.