Michigan labor leaders today launched Michigan Climate Jobs (MICJ), a coalition of unions focused on building careers and projects in clean energy. Michigan is the third state to announce such a coalition, which is guided by principles published in a report from Cornell University’s Climate Jobs Institute.
Labor leaders gathered to announce the launch of Michigan Climate Jobs, a coalition that hopes to create clean energy jobs in the state. Climate Jobs in Michigan
“Today we launched Michigan Climate Jobs to ensure a worker-led clean energy future, where labor takes the lead in fighting the climate crisis, making energy affordable and reliable, and protecting workers today and for generations to come,” said Ryan Bennett, president of MICJ and president of the Michigan Pipe Trades Association. “The jobs needed to create a clean energy economy absolutely must be union jobs, because they are union jobs that will provide family-sustaining wages, good working conditions and safety for workers.”
MICJ’s trade union partners represent groups in construction, electrical works, piping, carpentry, technology and education, among others. The coalition’s mission follows the plans and policies outlined in the Climate Jobs Institute report.Michigan Climate Jobs Blueprint for an Equitable Clean Energy Future.” These principles include decarbonizing public infrastructure, improving the state’s energy grid, and building more union careers and apprenticeships.
“Clean energy jobs are our future, and just as important, the careers they create are also our future. These projects don’t just produce energy, they produce long-lasting, skilled careers that allow people like me to support our families, stay in our communities, and build lives with dignity and security. When these projects are built by unionized tradespeople, they are done safely, professionally, and in a way that creates real opportunities for the next generation,” said Natalya Craig, Operating Engineers 324 tour guide and graduate student.
Michigan has preceded new clean energy jobs coalitions formed in New Jersey and Oregon.
