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Public Employee Press
Labor-green alliance taps
Forster Historically, unions have often been at odds
with environmentalists as they worry that environmental regulations will interfere
with creating jobs.
Jon Forster, 1st vice president of Local 375, doesnt
buy into that traditional viewpoint. He believes that unions and environmentalists
ultimately have common ground. He supports environmental justice for communities
adversely affected by unfair energy policies and pollutionsLabor should
take the lead in pressing for a green agenda and for creating green
jobs, Forster said.
The NYC Apollo Alliance part of
a national movement that links job creation, environmentalism and energy independence
recently named Forster to its steering committee. The Apollo Alliance is
supported by Urban Agenda a public policy, research and advocacy organization
dedicated to a more diverse labor movement and progressive economic policies
and by the New York City AFL-CIO Central Labor Council.
Through Apollo,
Forster looks forward to promoting workers interests as the city implements
its ambitious plaNYC. Mayor Michael Bloomberg established the plan to promote
environmental friendly policies in the city through 2030.
PlaNYC
could create thousands of jobs, Forster said. Labor needs to push
for these to be union jobs that pay a living wage.
The plan calls
for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent, creating homes for 1 million
more New Yorkers, planting 11 million trees, developing parks and playgrounds
and promoting public transportation. | |