The following SEIU Convention Resolution will be voted on by the SEIU Local 517M delegates.  They are looking for member feedback on this proposal.  SEIU Local 517M is not the author of this proposal.

Jobs and the Environment

Our planet is at an environmental crossroad. If we take immediate and decisive action, the worst impacts of global climate change can be avoided. If we heed the warnings and advice of a unified scientific community, we can take action that will benefit all generations to come.

Working people already suffer disproportionate effects from bad environmental conditions—from high asthma rates among our children, to contaminated air, land and water in our neighborhoods, to the increasingly high prices that we pay to heat our homes and fuel our cars. We must reduce the emissions that poison our communities and contribute to climate change. Continued inaction will add to deepening economic crisis and to the degradation of the environment and food supplies, and will intensify conflict for resources around the world.

As by far the largest per capita emitter of greenhouse gases, the United States has a special responsibility to lead the way on emission controls and new investment in green technologies that can be adopted worldwide. With prompt, effective action, we can create hundreds of thousands of quality green jobs, shift reliance to sustainable energy sources, and maintain and improve air and water quality. Public policy must ensure that polluters pay to emit carbon, thereby creating an incentive to pollute less. The money paid for emission permits must create a “climate dividend” that is spent to create quality green jobs, offset energy costs for low-income people, and invest in the development of green technologies.

As healthcare, public service, and property service workers, SEIU members have an opportunity to make a direct contribution to promoting quality green jobs by working with management to make changes that address climate change and environmental health.

Therefore be it resolved:

SEIU members recognize that we cannot build a more just and humane society without prompt and effective action on the environment. We stand ready to do our part to address the global climate crisis, including supporting emission reduction targets based on sound science.

SEIU and its local unions will involve members in developing and achieving new goals for contract negotiations and union-management partnerships that will improve jobs and address climate change. These goals will require public transportation benefits, adoption of more energy efficient equipment, reduced use and improved disposal of hazardous substances, schedule changes (such as day cleaning that will reduce energy use), and more.

SEIU will strongly support and press for policies that promote major new investment in quality “green jobs,” putting hundreds of thousands to work producing more energy efficient buildings, appliances, vehicles, and other technology, and making far more use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. These jobs should be quality, union jobs that pay enough to support families.

As health care providers, we will advocate for the elimination of toxins in our workplaces and the appropriate disposal of hazardous medical wastes. We will also advocate for cleaner energy production to reduce the incidence of asthma and other health problems in our communities.

As property service workers, we will support increased development of and training for green building maintenance practices. We will also advocate for job development that will ensure that these practices are effective.

As childcare providers and homecare workers whose workplaces are homes, we will redouble our efforts to make our homes more energy efficient. SEIU will pilot programs to reduce the energy bills and the carbon footprint, or amount of greenhouse gases given off, for member homes that are also workplaces.

We will work for training and transition programs and other protections for workers whose jobs are affected or eliminated by efforts to stem climate change.

We will work closely with unions, environmental groups, community organizations, elected officials, and other allies around the world to address this crisis in a way that improves the quality of life for working people and provides protections for workers and their communities.