Why AFSCMEgreen?
Environmentally concerned AFSCME members formed AFSCMEgreen in 2007 in order to give a greater voice to working people on issues of sustainability, and engage AFSCME members with environmental activities happening across Oregon. We want to form greater links between labor and environment in order to ensure that policies and practices both help the environment while also fostering family-wage jobs and a healthy economy. We also serve as a way to start educating brothers and sisters on how they can have a positive impact on the environment, both at work and at home.
Why Oregon AFSCME?
Many of our members work for local governments and state agencies that play a central role in environmental policy and creating sustainable communities. More importantly, many of our members feel strongly about the importance of environmental concerns and believe our union has a role to play in these issues. When we surveyed members about why AFSCME should care about environment, here is how some responded:
- To connect with the community, and create a stronger public image of AFSCME;
- To organize workers in new emerging industries, especially “green” industries, in order to create strong, family-wage union jobs;
- Since state and local government institutions produce more waste and use more resources than private homes, they are ideal places to address issues of sustainability;
- Because environmental sustainability is pivotal to the strength of future generations and workers;
- It is the right thing to do and it fits well with AFSCME’s goals and missions;
- Climate change is a threat to our environment, health and economy. By engaging with environmental issues, we will give workers a greater voice in the creation of green jobs, and become involved with important sustainability practices in our workplaces and homes.
Areas for action:
* Foster and Grow Sustainable Communities
AFSCME’s 1.6 million members provide vital services that make America happen and advocate for prosperity and opportunity for all working families. Our members are in an ideal position to make lasting impacts that sustain our communities today and keep our environment and economy healthy for future generations.
* Support Legislation for a More Sustainable Future
AFSCMEgreen can help prepare our union in the development of legislation that promotes a sustainable triple bottom line of economy, environment, and equity.
* Greening AFSCME workplaces
AFSCME members can influence our workplaces to adopt sustainable operations that help the environment, improve working conditions, and save money.
What we’ve done so far:
Since its formation in 2007, AFSCMEgreen has actively participated at the national convention in San Francisco, the Oregon State convention, and most recently the Next Wave conference in Chicago. We also had a 2009 Legislative Forum which was attended by Bill Bradbury and other public representatives. AFSCMEgreen has also hosted family-friendly events such as hikes and clean-ups.
