Public Sector Unions Fight for Climate Protection

Photo Credit: becker1199

Not only are government unions protectors of the environment, they have also been strong advocates for climate-friendly policies. Here are some examples:

• American Federation of Government Employees

  The AFGE “Worker Bill of Rights” demands “The right to work on control of greenhouse gases, to discuss solutions to climate change, and to conduct climate change research.”

• American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees

  At their 2024 Convention, AFSCME passed resolution 16, pledging to support legislation, policies, regulations and executive orders that call for public investments aimed at creating and supporting high-quality, green, union jobs, strengthening the resiliency of communities in preparing for and responding to climate change-fueled extreme weather events and financially supporting state and local governments impacted by the changing climate. Read more on AFSCME’s platform on Environmental Stewardship.

• American Federation of Teachers

  The AFT passed a resolution demanding that the president declare a national climate emergency and work to developing a regenerative energy system, while pledging to bring union members together to formulate climate actions plans specific to their constituents. 

• American Postal Workers Union

  The APWU “encourages locals and state organizations to participate in coalitions in their areas that fight for environmental justice and the mitigation of the effects of climate change.” At its national conference it held a special meeting on Climate Change.

• Communications Workers of America

  “CWA commits to support legislative action to combat Climate Change that creates good union jobs in the green economy, and promotes domestic production of renewable energy technologies with union workers.” 

• International Association of Firefighters

  The IAF is raising deep concern that lives and property are being increasingly lost to the devastating impacts of nature as the world fails to recognise the very practical implications of climate change. 

• National Nurses United

  The NNU released a five point plan titled “Global Nurses’ Proposal to Address the Health Impacts of Climate Change” and the California nurses have put together a toolkit. 

• Office and Professional Workers International Union

  OPEIU and its local unions call upon the federal government to “work in tandem with workers and industry to enact legislation that moves our nation toward a carbon-neutral, zero emissions economy as soon as possible” and “invest heavily in “green” public infrastructure projects to provide good-paying jobs to those who need them. 

• Service Employees International Union

  “SEIU supports the Green New Deal because it is a framework for urgent action. We also support efforts by locals to reduce emissions in their geographies to address the worst impacts of climate change.”

  Watch SEIU President April Verrett condemn fossil fuel giant Energy Transfer’s outrageous and abusive lawsuit attacking Greenpeace, and attempting to silence the climate justice movement — preventing workers and climate activists from speaking out for climate protections.