By Carla Klein and Jill Miller
United in a common goal to protect the environment while keeping and creating jobs, labor and conservation groups have created the “Missouri Blue-Green Alliance”, an exciting partnership of environmentalists, labor unions, farmers, fishermen, and others. Blue stands for blue-collar workers, while green, as you may have guessed, represents environmentalists and conservation groups.
Following the successful joint launch of the new Ford hybrid at the UAW hall in Kansas City on August 4th we held an informational workshop that included the basis for further blue-green organizing (please see related article).
On August 19, our blue-green organizing efforts expanded with a meeting in Jefferson City at the IBEW hall (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers). National Steelworker organizers Rebecca Cooper from Seattle and Tara Widner from Minneapolis gave an overview of blue-green organizing efforts in other states, including Washington, Minnesota, and Iowa. Several advocates for sustainable farming practices and family farms were in attendance as well as organizations working on watershed and floodplain projects. During our discussions, it became clear that we are concerned about many of the same issues. We all agreed we could be far more effective working together than alone.
The goals of the Missouri Blue Green Alliance include some basic principles and beliefs that have been adopted in other states. Alliance members are coming together because we believe we must change the direction our country and states have taken in recent years on issues of labor and the environment.
We agree environmental issues are economic issues, and a clean and healthy environment is directly related to family-supporting, safe and healthy jobs. Practices that result in long-term sustainability of the environment will also create a foundation for job security.
Environmental issues are also health issues. Workers are usually the first to be exposed when toxins are produced or released into the environment. The health and safety of our families is one of the driving factors for laborers and environmentalists alike. We all want clean air and water and a healthy environment. Ultimately it is impossible to separate the environment and health.
“Blues” and “Greens” have already been working together for ten years in the strong and effective Fair-Trade Coalition, on various toxics and right-to-know coalitions, and on corporate accountability initiatives. We don’t agree on all issues, but our shared values and goals far outweigh our differences.
Additional meetings are planned. One of the first goals will be to draft joint resolutions in support of clean water, clean air, renewable energy, fair trade, and sustainable farming practices.