Resolution: A Green New Deal Must Have Strong Labor and Community Provisions

WHEREAS, we face twin crises of skyrocketing inequality and increasing climate instability posing immediate and long-term threats to all working people, our communities, and our economic security...

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, we face twin crises of skyrocketing inequality and increasing climate instability posing immediate and long-term threats to all working people, our communities, and our economic security; and

WHEREAS, the Green New Deal Resolution, sponsored by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Ed Markey, was introduced in the U.S. Congress; and

WHEREAS, Bernie Sanders Green New Deal proposal calls for the creation of 20 million good paying, union jobs with strong benefits and safety standards in steel and auto manufacturing, construction, energy efficiency retrofitting, coding and server farms, and renewable power plants; and

WHEREAS, the cost of inaction is unacceptable. Economists estimate that if we do not take action, we will lose $34.5 trillion in economic activity by the end of the century.

WHEREAS,  Sanders proposal would pay for itself over 15 years. Experts have scored the plan and its economic effects. We will pay for the massive investment we need to reverse the climate crisis by:

• • Making the fossil fuel industry pay for their pollution, through litigation, fees, and taxes, and eliminating federal fossil fuel subsidies.
  • Generating revenue from the energy produced by the regional Power Marketing Authorities.
  • Scaling back military spending on maintaining global oil dependence.
  • Collecting new income tax revenue from the 20 million new jobs created by the plan.
  • Reduced need for federal and state safety net spending due to the creation of millions of good-paying, unionized jobs.
  • Making the wealthy and large corporations pay their fair share. 

WHEREAS, the Green New Deal 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;

Therefore, be it resolved, the Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO wholeheartedly endorses both the Green New Deal Resolution and Bernie Sanders Green New Deal proposal; and

Therefore, be it further resolved, the Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO 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 and union-friendly policies in the green energy economy;
• Investment in good jobs in communities historically dependent on the fossil fuel industry so that no workers and no communities are left behind.

Therefore, be it further resolved, The Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO will advocate for a Green New deal in concert with environmental and community partners that support the above provisions.

Therefore, be it further resolved, the Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO in response to the climate emergency, endorses the youth-initiated Global Climate Strike on September 20th, and urges union members and other workers to stand in solidarity.

(Passed by the Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO’s convention on September 15th, 2019)