Sierra Club, UAW, CWA, Commend Senators for Advocating Strong Worker and Environmental Standards in CHIPS Act Implementation

WASHINGTON, DC – In commemoration of two-years of the CHIPS and Science Act, Sierra Club, UAW, and CWA applaud Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) for their decisive action in urging the Department of Commerce to enforce stringent worker rights, community safety, and environmental standards on recipients of CHIPS and Science Act incentives.

In a letter to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, the Senators stressed the importance of implementing clear and enforceable conditions on funding recipients during the finalization of $53 billion in manufacturing awards. This move addresses significant concerns typically linked to semiconductor manufacturing, such as toxic chemical exposure, low wages and poor job quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and worker safety.

Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous, released the following statement:

"The CHIPS Act is a pivotal opportunity to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to America, securing a resilient renewable energy and electric vehicle supply chain. As we rebuild the industry, it is critical that the Commerce Department follows Senators Markey, Warren, Sanders, and Luján's call to action by enshrining environmental protections and worker and community health and safety in agreements with chipmakers receiving taxpayer support. America has a generational opportunity ahead, and to retain chipmaking in the US for decades to come, it is critical we uphold our commitment to renewable energy, transparency in chemical use, and community benefit agreements to mitigate the impact of semiconductor manufacturing."

IUE-CWA President Carl Kennebrew, released the following statement. 

“CWA thanks Senators Markey, Warren, Sanders, and Luján for their leadership. The CHIPS & Science Act has immense potential for creating thousands of good union jobs in the semiconductor industry, but that won't happen if the industry continues its decades-long assault on worker organizing and isn't held accountable for their actions. It is critical that companies receiving historic levels of public investment respect workers' right to organize and achieve a new, higher standard of accountability as prioritized by the Biden-Harris Administration by signing enforceable labor peace and community benefit agreements with host communities.” 

UAW President Shawn Fain, released the following statement:

"At the UAW, we’re excited to bring semiconductor jobs back to the United States. But this new industry will only be successful if the workers who make the product have a say in these jobs, from job training to health and safety standards. The federal government can't just hand out billions and cross our fingers that these companies will do the right thing. That's why I thank Senators Markey, Sanders, Warren, and Luján for laying out the commitments we’ll need to see build a safe, sustainable chips industry, starting with the right to form a union and dignity on the job."

The measures outlined in the letter are essential for fostering a semiconductor industry that not only advances technological progress but also upholds the highest standards of environmental stewardship and worker protection. It highlights several key commitments that the Department of Commerce should require from recipients:

1. Transparency on Use of Chemicals: Grantees should disclose the chemicals and chemical combinations used in the chip manufacturing process to the Department, workers, unions, and the public.
2. Worker Health-and-Safety Groups: Grantees should establish democratically elected health-and-safety groups led by workers to address concerns without retaliation.
3. Right to Organize: Grantees should implement policies that protect workers' rights to organize.
4. Interagency Expertise for Wage and Benefits Standards: The Department of Labor should play a critical role during the due-diligence phase to ensure adherence to “Good Jobs Principles.”
5. Community Benefit Agreements: Grantees should protect community health and support community organizing through Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs).
6. Renewable Energy Commitments: Grantees should utilize new dedicated renewable energy sources for their manufacturing operations to reduce environmental impact.