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Develop Community-Labor Partnerships in Support of Labor Standards
Community members have significant influence over approval of new clean energy projects, evidenced by local fights around the country.351 Raising public awareness of how high road clean energy projects can benefit entire communities will be critical to successful legislative campaigns.
The organization Jobs to Move America (JMA) provides a useful example of how community- labor partnerships can drive successful campaigns. JMA has pioneered a strategy of leveraging federal investment in the green economy to negotiate community benefits agreements that provide pathways to employment for local residents. They have also pressured companies with a nationwide footprint to apply high-road manufacturing labor standards not only in labor-friendly
351 Gelles, “The U.S. Will Need Thousands of Wind Farms. Will Small Towns Go Along?”
states, but also in places like Alabama, where JMA’s organizing helped lay the groundwork for a victory by IUE-CWA at an electric bus manufacturing plant.352
Environmental organizations often share the IAM’s desire for a rapid and just buildout of quality, green infrastructure. Advocates for mass transit can also be allies in pushing for rail and bus decarbonization. The IAM can explore ways to use its current structures–like its robust disaster relief program–to grow its impact and deepen coordination with community groups.
Involvement in multi-union coalitions, such as District 751’s key role in Climate Jobs Washington, are good models to build on. The International could provide the IAM’s Human Rights Committees or other bodies with resources to build community labor partnerships and engage on climate issues in local communities. Alliances built to support attaching labor standards to clean energy investments can build power to help win future campaigns.