Last weekend, New York City private sanitation workers traveled to Los Angeles to meet with that city's private sanitation workers. At the meeting, hosted by Partnership for Working Families and the LA Alliance for a New Economy, the two groups of workers discussed their experience building worker power and improving work conditions.
PWF affiliate Puget Sound Sage is helping build a just climate movement in Seattle, while ensuring those most likely to suffer the consequences of climate change lead the way. This philosophy has informed an aggressive policy agenda.
In Philadelphia, Partnership for Working Families affiliate POWER: An Interfaith Movement joined forces with Earth Quaker Action Team (EQAT) in its Local Green Jobs campaign. The coalition is calling on the largest local utility, PECO, to purchase solar power from underserved North Philadelphia’s rooftops. “Environmental justice means an economy that works for everyone,” said Rabbi Julie Greenberg of POWER. “We need to create jobs where they are most needed and keep our energy dollars circulating locally.”
Transform Don’t Trash NYC, the campaign to clean up New York City’s dirty commercial sanitation industry, is picking up steam. The coalition of environmental justice, worker organizations and community groups (including PWF affiliate ALIGN) has been working for three years to expose problems in the industry and push a transformative vision of change. With City Hall recently taking the first steps toward addressing the issue, real change toward a cleaner, safer waste and recycling system may be just around the corner.
Rivers are at the heart of the Pittsburgh region. The area’s economic and environmental revival is closely tied to its rivers, but unfortunately its aging and poorly designed sewer system is creating a crisis.
Through its Green Justice Coalition, Partnership for Working Familiesy affiliate, Community Labor United (CLU) brings the voices of working class communities of color into Boston’s energy planning process.
The following is a note from EBASE Executive Director, Kate O’Hara. It was originally published here.
Dr. Jill Esbenshade has long been committed to creating change, pointing to the famous Karl Marx quote as the inspiration for her work. “The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways.
Ada Briceño is OCCORD’s interim executive director and co-founder, and Secretary-Treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 11, which represents hotel and hospitality workers in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Marisol Ramirez has been a staff organizer with OCCORD since 2013, but she’s been a leader in her community for much longer. She first began organizing with OCCORD as a volunteer while in high school, connecting her personal experiences with the broader struggle for fair representation at City Hall. Marisol served as a board member of OCCORD before transitioning into full time organizing.
