Climate Jobs Institute Helps Rank-and-File Union Members Advocate for Maine's Clean Energy Future
On May 22nd, more than 100 Mainers convened at the State House in Augusta to voice their support for investments in clean energy and quality job creation. Representatives of the Maine Labor Climate Council (MLCC) joined the lobby day to highlight the perspective of the state’s growing clean energy workforce. Clean energy projects are creating hundreds of quality jobs for the state’s union workers. However, growing uncertainty regarding clean energy tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act has slowed development. Facing work stoppages and layoffs, workers are calling on their state-governments representatives to act.
Leading up to the event in Augusta, the MLCC, Climate Jobs Institute (CJI), and Climate Jobs National Resource Center (CJNRC) collaborated on a series of storytelling and public testimony trainings. CJI’s Melissa Shetler, Zach Cunningham, and Rohan Palacios developed and delivered the curriculum with input from MLCC organizers. Participants included rank-and-file members from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1253, the International Association of Machinists S6, and the American Postal Workers Union.
In each session, exercises and guided discussion helped participants familiarize themselves with the MLCC’s legislative priorities and how Mainers can impact the legislative process. Next, workers identified and shared stories that demonstrate how their lives are impacted by climate change—at work and at home. Finally, facilitators from CJI led the group through storytelling exercises that allowed workers to practice sharing their experiences, and receive feedback.
In Augusta, union members raised their voices to represent Maine’s clean energy workers. Since joining the IBEW, third-year apprentice Brayden House has installed solar panels on university campuses, industrial sites, and in solar fields throughout the state. “The reason I joined the apprenticeship was to master this craft and work a career that can support my future,” he shared in a speech at the state house, “it is concerning to hear that federal tax credits for clean energy have been thrown up in the air…This could be the difference between staying in Maine as a union worker or hitting the road to provide for our families.” First-year IBEW apprentice, Sierra Pearl, shared her perspective with Maine Public Radio saying, “I just want people to know that if you protect clean energy jobs. You're protecting jobs for Mainers, and you're protecting our work…not just union work, but work for everybody.”
Photos courtesy of Maine AFL-CIO