Events
Climate change, ‘Labor and Sustainability’ will be focus of January 19-20 conference

From the Minneapolis Labor Review, November 16, 2006

ST. PAUL — How will global warming impact the economy and jobs? How can the labor movement become part of an emerging emphasis on environmentally sustainable development? Hosted by United Auto Workers Local 879, a January 19-20 conference will address “Labor and Sustainability.”

The two-day conference will take place at the UAW Local 879 union hall, 2191 Ford Parkway, St. Paul. The conference is free and open to the public.

The keynote speaker Friday evening January 19 will be Jack Rasmus, speaking on the topic, “Building a Movement for Sustainability: How Labor can respond to the climate crisis.” Rasmus has 25 years’ experience in the trade union movement with the Steelworkers, CWA, HERE, and SEIU.

The Friday evening events begin at 5:00 p.m. and will include social hour, dinner, the speaker and performances.

Workshops planned Saturday, January 20 will include: the campaign for zero greenhouse gas emissions; saving the Twin Cities Ford plant and converting production there to mass transit vehicles or wind generators; the conversion to wind power; mining on the iron Range versus eco-friendly jobs; the effects of climate change in the region and its economic impact; and confronting globalization — embedding environmental regulations and fair labor practices into trade agreements. Saturday programming will run all day beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Conference endorsers include the Minnesota AFL-CIO, Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council, and St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly.

For more information, phone UAW Local 879 at 651-699-4246 or e-mail uaw879@uaw879.org.

back to top