ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Climate Experts Applaud as US Government Approves Largest Offshore Wind Farm in Nation's History
Common Dreams
By Julia Conley
May 11, 2021
"Union labor will build the largest-to-date offshore wind farm in federal waters," tweeted Liz Schuler, secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO.
Green future needs to be built with union jobs and prevailing wage (Opinion)
The Hill
By James T. Callahan
May 11, 2021
While the future of clean energy jobs is a hot topic of debate these days, the Biden administration is right to connect labor standards to renewable energy tax credits, pushing the industry towards good, union jobs. Indeed, virtually every major newspaper in the country has covered the story, including The Hill.
TRADE
U.S. files first trade complaint against Mexico under USMCA
MarketWatch
By Associated Press
May 12, 2021
The United States filed its first labor complaint with Mexico Wednesday under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, after an old-guard union was caught allegedly destroying ballots at a General Motors plant in northern Mexico. The U.S. Trade Representative invoked the “rapid response” mechanism under the trade pact, known as the USMCA.
IN THE STATES
Vineyard Wind Project Receives Federal Approval
Eco RI
By ecoRI News staff
May 12, 2021
Steven Tolman, Massachusetts AFL-CIO president, wrote, “It is crucial that we treat the dual crisis of climate change and income inequality at the same time so that we create good jobs with standards as we transition to renewable energy.”
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
Missouri Slope Labor Council to hold free food giveaway in Minot
KX News
By Malik Wilson
May 12, 2021
One Bismarck company is looking to feed the community — and is coming to Minot to help. The Missouri Slope Labor Council, in partnership with the North Dakota AFL-CIO, the North Dakota Building Trades Unions and the Saint Paul Regional Labor Federation, is holding a free food giveaway in the IBEW Local 714 Union Hall, located at 125 35th Ave NE in Minot. One organizer tells KX News the food will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. He says there are more than a thousand pounds of food on hand to give away and anyone in need is invited to come out.
JOINING TOGETHER
The Topeka Capital-Journal
By India Yarborough
May 12, 2021
Executives from the state's labor federation turned out Wednesday for the third picket outside Topeka's Frito-Lay plant this year. The protest, which drew executives from Kansas AFL-CIO and other local labor leaders, is likely the last picket union members at Topeka's Frito-Lay plant will hold before taking a vote on whether to accept or reject a recent contract proposal made by the company. "We're here to support them," said John Nave, executive vice president of Kansas AFL-CIO. "These brothers and sisters out here have been dedicated to a company over the years that hasn't treated them well at all. ... They carry that company on their backs, and they deserve to be treated fairly at the negotiation table."