Yearly Archives: 2018

Workers and Environmentalists Stand in Solidarity on Climate

"The labor movement has stood strong for decades under the banner of “an injury to one is an injury to all.” Our organizations have recognized that it’s time we applied this slogan to the environment. For centuries, we have been injuring the earth, using resources with abandon, and ignoring the science on carbon emissions. Federal administrators are moving in the wrong direction, rolling back environmental protections that can protect workers. This Workers Memorial Day, we stand together for both worker protections and strong climate policies because we can’t have one without the other. An injury to the planet is an injury to us all." Read the full opinion-editorial in NJ Spotlight by Lou Kimmel, executive director of New Labor, and Dan Fatton, executive director, WEC. Full Op-Ed Photos of Workers Memorial Day Jersey Renews

By |2018-05-01T10:54:32-04:00May 1st, 2018|Highlights, Opinion Pieces|Comments Off on Workers and Environmentalists Stand in Solidarity on Climate

Workers’ Memorial Day Rally & March on Earth Day

Intersectional Coalition Calls for Action on Climate & Worker Protection New Brunswick, NJ – Hundreds gathered at Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple on Sunday, April 22 to celebrate Workers’ Memorial Day, an annual day of action to remember those who have died or been injured on the job, and raise awareness to prevent future illnesses, injuries, and deaths. This year, Workers’ Memorial Day and Earth Day fell on the same Sunday, creating an opportunity to talk about the connection between climate change and worker safety. The event, organized by New Labor, the New Jersey Work Environment Council, and other partners in the Jersey Renews coalition, brought together a diverse group of workers, immigrants, environmentalists, and health professionals to march and rally for climate and worker justice. "Climate change is already a public health emergency, and the impacts on workers and communities are only going to get worse. This Earth Day, unions, worker centers, faith groups and environmental organizations are standing in solidarity demanding action on climate change. We recognize that if we want to protect workers and provide safety for everyone, we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Dan Fatton, executive director of the New Jersey Work Environment Council. “Members [...]

By |2018-04-23T12:49:01-04:00April 23rd, 2018|Highlights, Press Releases|Comments Off on Workers’ Memorial Day Rally & March on Earth Day

Offshore Wind Farm Could Create 75,000 More Jobs, Report Finds

A new report from the Center for American Progress (CAP) and the New Jersey Work Environment Council (WEC) says that new offshore wind farms in coastal states could create more than 75,000 jobs. “This report underscores a major opportunity to not only put people to work installing those turbines, but also to create a regional supply chain that will provide family-sustaining jobs in the manufacturing and distribution industries,” WEC Executive Director Dan Fatton said. Read the full story on the Daily Energy Insider.

By |2018-04-05T09:17:37-04:00April 5th, 2018|WEC in the News|Comments Off on Offshore Wind Farm Could Create 75,000 More Jobs, Report Finds

Construction of Offshore Wind Farms Could Create More Than 75,000 New Jobs: Report from CAP and WEC

Ewing, N.J. – The construction of new offshore wind farms in New Jersey and other coastal states could lead to more than 75,000 clean energy jobs, according to a new report from the Center for American Progress (CAP) and The New Jersey Work Environment Council (WEC). Examples in the United States and Europe show that with the right policies in place, offshore wind development can translate into expansive job creation and demand for skilled workers, the report says. With more than 100 gigawatts of offshore wind resources available in federal and Great Lakes waters, elected officials and labor leaders have a chance to turn wind farms into economic wins for their working ports and harbors, communities, and workers. “Offshore wind is a vast clean energy resource that will lead to economic wins for workers,” said Shiva Polefka, associate director of ocean policy at CAP. “When coastal states get the right policy in place for offshore wind, they’re supporting working families and being leaders in the urgent fight against climate change.” In one of his first actions in office, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order that directs the state to move toward the goal of generating 3500 megawatts [...]

By |2018-04-02T09:58:49-04:00April 2nd, 2018|Highlights, Press Releases|Comments Off on Construction of Offshore Wind Farms Could Create More Than 75,000 New Jobs: Report from CAP and WEC

Offshore Wind Means Blue-Collar Jobs for Coastal States

Center for American Progress and the New Jersey Work Environment Council co-released a report highlighting the jobs potential of clean energy. According to the findings, approximately 75,000 jobs could be created by the construction of offshore wind farms.   Read Full Report Press Release Center for American Progress

By |2018-04-02T10:03:18-04:00April 2nd, 2018|WEC Reports|Comments Off on Offshore Wind Means Blue-Collar Jobs for Coastal States

WEC Divests from Wall Street

WEC Divests from Wall Street In 1981, the Reagan administration enacted a slew of financial deregulations and tax reforms which made private equity and hedge fund activity significantly more profitable. This included cutting the tax on capital gains, and legalizing stock buybacks – a practice previously considered illegal stock manipulation. In 1982, U.S. Secretary Treasurer William Simon, with two partners, borrowed $79 million, mostly from large banks, to purchase Gibson Greetings, one of the largest greeting card companies in the U.S. The purchase saddled Gibson Greeting with millions of dollars of debt, debt which fell on the company itself. To pay it off, workers’ wages, pensions, and benefits were slashed.  Sixteen months later, they sold Gibson Greeting, resulting in massive profits for themselves and the bankers and investors involved. This began a trend in a deregulated financial sector: big banks irresponsibly lend money to greedy private equity firms and hedge funds, who make billions off debt financing by piling it onto workers. The reckless activities of big banks and Wall Street is largely responsible for stagnant wages for workers. It has led to the erosion of tax bases and public services in the United States. The New Jersey Work Environment [...]

By |2018-03-30T11:33:42-04:00March 28th, 2018|Highlights|Comments Off on WEC Divests from Wall Street

Preventing Chemical Exposure

You're invited to attend the NJ Work Environment Council TRAINING PROGRAM: PREVENTING EXPOSURE TO WORKPLACE CHEMICALS When: Tuesday, May 15, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM (8:30 AM Registration) Location: NJ Work Environment Council, 7 Dunmore Avenue, Ewing, NJ 08618 Register Here Are you aware of the major changes to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) Standard and how it is now aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals? Employers have a responsibility under OSHA’s HazCom Standard to educate and train employees about the chemicals they work with and how to protect themselves from any potential hazards. Join us for an interactive workshop as we discuss: • Assessing chemical hazards and understanding safety data sheets • OSHA’s HazCom standard • Identifying safety system failures Click here to register and for more information. The OSHA speaker is not funded by the Harwood Grant. This material was produced under grant SH-31183-SH7 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

By |2018-03-27T11:48:02-04:00March 27th, 2018|Highlights|Comments Off on Preventing Chemical Exposure

2018 Workers Memorial Day

Workers' Memorial Day is a time to remember those who died on the job or suffered workplace injuries, while raising awareness to prevent future illnesses, injuries and deaths. Respect for health and safety is respect for ALL workers. From opposing gun violence in our schools to the very real impact climate change is already having on workers and communities, we need to make sure that worker health and safety rights are guaranteed to all, in all workplaces. This year, we renew our commitment to fight for safe jobs for all! ¡SOS! Save Our Safeguards! ¡Salvar Nuestras Salvaguardas! Sunday, April 22 1:00 PM Anshe Emeth 222 Livingston Ave. New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Rain OR Shine! 2017 Pictures Source: National Council for Occupational Safety and Health In the United States, more than 100,000 workers die every year from long-term occupational disease and traumatic incidents on the job. These deaths are preventable. Read the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health report, Preventable Deaths 2016. PAST Media Coverage April 25, 2016 Home News Tribune Hundreds Rally for Safe Working Conditions The rally and spirited march focused on the demand for respect, including safe work and a [...]

By |2018-03-19T17:17:40-04:00March 19th, 2018|Events, Highlights|Comments Off on 2018 Workers Memorial Day

NJ Senate Revives Weinberg’s Oil Train Transparency Bill Chris Christie Vetoed

The New Jersey Senate Transportation Committee approved an oil train transparency bill on Monday, reviving an effort that had been stymied by former Gov. Chris Christie. The legislation, S-1883, would require railroads to develop oil spill response plans in case of a derailment. The bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, D-Teaneck, would also require more transparency from railroads about their shipment of flammable liquids through the state. The states surrounding New Jersey have made the routes and estimated volumes of oil train traffic publicly accessible when compelled by public information requests from news organizations. Effectively, the public already has the information railroads want to shield. "There has been precedent for releasing this information," said Debra Coyle McFadden, assistant director of the New Jersey Work Environment Council. Read the full story on NorthJersey.com.  

By |2018-03-13T09:26:24-04:00March 13th, 2018|Highlights, WEC in the News|Comments Off on NJ Senate Revives Weinberg’s Oil Train Transparency Bill Chris Christie Vetoed

Murphy is in Drivers Seat to Make NJ Electric-Car Friendly

New Jersey is the most densely populated state and one of the largest automobile markets in the country. Known for its population density and highways, New Jersey has a large number of commuters with lots of cars on the road, nearly all the time. New Jersey also has a robust transit network with more than 4,000 buses regularly carrying a majority of daily transit riders throughout the state, which boasts a transit ridership percentage double that of the nation. Nearly half of all greenhouse gas emissions in New Jersey come from the transportation sector. Light-duty automobiles, like a standard family car, remain the dominant source of transportation emissions. But particulate matter from heavy-duty vehicles like diesel trucks for industrial or commercial use and buses for public transportation are a significant source of emissions, and contribute to poor air quality, negatively impacting public health. In just a few short weeks, Governor Murphy has already taken decisive actions to improve transit in the Garden State. The NJ Transit audit and the recent commitment to bring in new train cars to boost passenger capacity are both wise first steps. However, more must be done to improve transit access, reliability and efficiency, particularly for [...]

By |2018-05-01T10:44:19-04:00March 7th, 2018|Highlights, Opinion Pieces|Comments Off on Murphy is in Drivers Seat to Make NJ Electric-Car Friendly
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