Russell Hess of the Minnesota Laborers and the MN Blue Green
Alliance Steering Committee along with Sheila Williams Ridge
of the Sierra Club talking about organizing for good, green jobs
in implementing the Recovery Act.
Minnesota Blue Green Alliance
The Minnesota Blue Green Alliance (BGA) works to create policies that put tens of thousands of Minnesotans back to work in good, green jobs. We are working with labor, environmental, business and community allies to promote policies to support green manufacturing and green building jobs.
Launched nationally in 2006 by the United Steelworkers and the Sierra Club, this strategic labor-environmental collaboration has grown to include the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA). The Blue Green Alliance unites more than six million people nationally in pursuit of good jobs, a clean environment and a green economy.
What is a green job?
A green job is employment in a sector of the economy that works improve environmental quality. Green jobs should provide family supporting wages, benefit the communities in which they are located, provide access and career ladders to minority and low-income communities, and support the right of workers to organize.
Action around the state
Global Warming: Passing comprehensive clean energy jobs and global warming policies and legislation
The Blue Green Alliance is working to advance policies in Minnesota and in Congress that create clean energy jobs in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Passing the American Climate and Energy Security Act (Waxman-Markey, ACES) with a strong Renewable Electricity Standard, energy efficiency standards, worker protections, and a cap on carbon pollution is a high priority for the Blue Green Alliance. We are engaging all our partners and allies to pass a strong clean energy jobs plan. To get involved, contact Joshua Low, Minnesota Organizer for the Blue Green Alliance, at .
At the Green Jobs Rally in July 2008, the Blue Green Alliance
created the largest human wind turbine ever in Minnesota.
Green Jobs Photo Project
The Green Jobs Photo Project is working to show what a green job is from the workers perspective. From machining components for solar thermal panels to maintaining an 80 meter high wind turbine to weatherizing home for low income Minnesotans, the green economy is already employing thousands of Minnesotans. We are looking for people with green jobs and people with gallery and photography experience to help with the project. To get involved, email Steph Althoff at .
Green Jobs for Minnesota
Governor Pawlenty should implement a green jobs plan for Minnesota. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Action and Minnesota Senate File 657 give Governor Pawlenty an excellent opportunity to investment in the green economy to create thousands of green jobs in energy efficiency and renewable energy. We advocate that Minnesota takes full advantage of the Recovery Act to ensure that we create as many good, green jobs as possible. To get involved in the campaign, email Joshua Low at .
Twin Cities Green Manufacturing Initiative (TCGMI)
Taken together, Minneapolis and Saint Paul are the 4th largest manufacturing city in the U.S, and both cities have policies in place to attract industrial firms; both offer ready marketplaces for green products and suppliers; and both have an increasing variety of renewable energy sources and green transportation/shipping options, such as the Mississippi River. The TCGMI is helping Minneapolis and Saint Paul analyze the current green economy and develop their strategy to grow and attract green manufacturing firms. In April 2008, the Mayors Green Manufacturing Initiative released Making It Green (pdf), a report that detailed 5 strategies on how to attract good, renewable energy manufacturing jobs to Minneapolis Saint Paul. For more information, contact John E. Dybvig at .
Promoting Workers Rights
The Blue Green Alliance and Sierra Club, along with our union partners, are working to pass the Employee Free Choice Act and support prevailing wage standards for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, like the weatherization assistance program.
To Get Involved
To learn more about Minnesota Blue Green Alliance and how you can help, contact Joshua Low, Blue Green Alliance Associate Regional Representative, at or at 612-359-9124 x311.