Employees Embrace Green Technology

Union electricians employed at Steiny and Company, Inc. install a solar array on the rooftop of their Baldwin Park warehouse. The new solar panels will provide abundant power for lighting and other needs for years to come. According to Richard Tesoriero, Vice President of Steiny the company hopes to offset their carbon footprint and convince other businesses to do the same. The warehouse is part of Steiny’s intelligent transportation division where work is performed maintaining fleet vehicles and storing tools and materials. Congratulations to Steiny and Company, Inc. for utilizing Green technology and providing good paying union jobs.

Green Jobs Now!

The community supports the elimination of ugly power lines in Los Angeles. Power poles and wires are seen as blight to neighborhoods. They are dangerous for both the public and the line workers who work on them and their use destroys forests. For years politicians, various community groups and labor have been meeting to come up with solutions and are now asking the city to "Invest in a Green LA".

City Council Member Herb Wesson held a press conference on the West Lawn at Los Angeles City Hall. Backed by supporters he announced the Green Jobs Bond Initiative which will provide substantial investment for three Green programs.
1) The Green Retrofit and Workforce Program.
2) LA River Master Plan
3) LA CleanTech Manufacturing Corridor Initiative

The goal is to put 25 percent of LA’s power lines underground by 2030, retrofit all affordable housing, and require LEED silver standards or better for residential rehabilitation projects funded by the Housing Dept. These projects will lead to the development of Green jobs and provide a Green career ladder for young people.

Mayor Addresses Solar Volunteers

Los Angeles Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa joined community volunteers for a rally Saturday to support Measure B, the green jobs, solar energy initiative. Environmentalists, labor and community groups combed the streets of Los Angeles speaking with voters about clean air and good jobs for local residents. While Measure B has broad based community support, it is strongly opposed by big oil and other right-wing republican groups. 

Final Push for YES ON MEASURE B

This weekend brought out more community supporters for Yes on Measure B. Volunteers knocked on a record amount of doors throughout Los Angeles. They spoke with registered voters and took the message to the streets. Support for Measure B is growing. Los Angeles Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa supports the Green Jobs Initiative. You can see the commercial he appeared in by clicking here. Last week a debate was conducted at Daniel Webster Middle School located at 11350 Graham Place, Los Angeles. There is so much desire for solar power right now that people arrived as early as 5pm though the event didn’t officially begin until 7pm. It was clear to most in the audience that the biggest opposition to the initiative was from Big Oil and other right-wing republican groups.

It’s hard to make an argument against solar, but they tried. Dede Audet seemed to argue that the city might need "air rights" to harness the suns rays. I have to admit, I had never heard that argument before. The best argument for Measure B is that it reduces the city’s carbon footprint, creates green collar jobs, encourages local manufacturing, and creates power during peak hours when it’s needed most. After hearing all the arguments the moderator, Los Angeles City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl added his endorsement for Yes On Measure B.

YES ON MEASURE B

The T-shirt says it all, “Green Energy, Yes on B, Good Jobs”. Once again labor and community activists came out in force to support Measure B, the solar initiative. It started with registration, then a rally in support of Green jobs. Maria Elena Durazo, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Los Angeles Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO addressed the crowd using a bullhorn. She thanked everyone for coming out on Valentine’s Day and encouraged the group to visit as many voters as possible. Maria Elena spoke on the measure’s importance to workers in the Los Angeles area who are struggling during this economic recession. She spoke about the end result of installing environmentally friendly photovoltaic systems throughout the city. She applauded the group for their dedication to seeing green technology adopted and the benefits leading to careers in the new green economy.

Volunteers attended training then fanned out in pairs to canvas local neighborhoods. Reaction to the message was positive and thousands of registered voters committed to support Measure B on Election Day. Leaflets in Support of Measure B were provided in both English and Spanish.

Phone banking for Measure B is also taking place. If you are interested in volunteering contact the Los Angeles Federation of Labor through their website.

Measure B is endorsed by the Sierra Club, American Lung Association, Coalition for Clean Air, Apollo Alliance, Agenda, LA League of Conservation Voters, The Los Angeles Federation of Labor AFL-CIO and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Hillary Clinton Supports Green Jobs

Senator Hillary Clinton is scheduled to speak about green jobs at the Electrical Training Institute on Friday. Union members will be there in droves to show their support. The ETI is the perfect location to highlight opportunities in the green industry. The photovoltaic system is World class and the training is second to none. Senator Clinton's commitment to green energy is well known and she has great support among union members.

Going Going Green

I've been meaning to do it for awhile now; join the Sierra Club that is. I finally went ahead and did it. For the last 6 months or so I've been participating in Apollo Alliance meetings and providing input on how to promote green union jobs and support the creation of a green career ladder. We're making progress. So it just makes sense that I would become a member of the Sierra Club. It's a great organization. Have you been putting it off and waiting for someone to invite you to make the move? Consider this an invitation.