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Update — October 2009If you have not already, please do not forget to RSVP for the launch of the Green Collar Jobs Roadmap scheduled for October 27 from 9:30 to 12:30pm at SEIU 32BJ. The launch is the culmination of a yearlong effort where over 170 green employers, community-based organizations, labor unions, workforce development providers, and environmental and environmental justice groups worked together to develop a comprehensive strategy to grow an equitable, prosperous, and sustainable green economy in New York City. This multi-sector effort also developed a Vision Statement of guiding principles. As the campaign moves forward, the Roundtable will use the Roadmap to advocate with elected officials to enact its recommendations to make New York City a global leader in good, green collar jobs. I hope you will be able to endorse the Vision Statement and join us at the launch on October 27. Please also check out the information below. Sincerely, Joanne Derwin Green Jobs/Green NY Legislation PassesAfter passing the Assembly unanimously last spring, the legislation creating the Green Jobs/ Green NY program passed the NYS Senate (s5888) in September 2009. Governor Paterson is expected to sign it into law this month. New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will then have 6 months to set up the program. While this was an important victory, there is much work ahead. Several important policy aspects must be included in the program such as ensuring that energy bill savings can be properly recouped, implementing meaningful consumer and tenant protections, and including jobs standards that sustain families and create pathways out of poverty. Stakeholder organizing is critical to making sure the new legislation and its program live up to their promise. Already networks of contractors, community groups and trainers have been meeting throughout the state to discuss how Green Jobs-Green NY might work in their area. A statewide stakeholders planning meeting will be scheduled soon. For more information, and if your community organization or institution would like to be involved in Green Jobs-Green NY implementation, please contact chloe [at] cwfny.org at the Center for Working Families. FEATURED PARTNERLaura Caruso and SEIU 32BJSEIU 32BJ, the largest property service workers union in the United States, has been actively involved with green initiatives, using both policy and practical programs to advocate for a greener economy with quality jobs, and good job standards. The Thomas J Shortman Training Fund for example, a joint labor/employer program available to 32BJ members, has worked over the last four years to incorporate green education into their training programs, and push for green building initiatives throughout the City. A recent initiative - One year, 1000 Green Supers - is training 32BJ members who are superintendents on green building operation and maintenance, and improving energy efficiency in their buildings. The supers are learning to help their buildings cut costs, reduce energy use and limit damage to the environment. 
In addition to practical training programs, 32BJ has also been active in pushing for green policy both at the state and national levels. They pushed to ensure that there is funding for the Green Jobs Act in the national arena, and they are advocating for a draft of the Greener, Greater Buildings bill that will include jobs standards. Laura Caruso, Director of Policy and Legislation at 32BJ, plays the integral role of working with the City to make green building initiatives a reality. Laura is also a member of the NYC Apollo Alliance. "The fact that 32BJ plans to have a presence at the Copenhagen Climate Summit speaks volumes to the organization's commitment to not only green building initiatives and energy efficiency, but also our commitment to the larger issues of global warming. It shows our willingness to work on a global level with unions around the world to adopt a common language for workers' rights and issues." List of ResourcesThe following are a number of new or updated resources on jobs and the economy:
SPOTLIGHTReindustrialization StrategiesAs part of the national dialogue on clean energy-based economic revitalization, the New York State Apollo Alliance held a daylong conference on Reindustrialization Strategies, drawing from the expertise of labor, business and environmental activists and professionals, along with academics and government officials. The goal of the daylong session, held September 24th at New York State United Teachers headquarters in Latham, New York, was to gather information necessary to develop meaningful state-level green job investment strategies. The conference featured a keynote from Assemblyman Sam Hoyt on high-speed rail initiatives, an update on green investing from John Stouffer, representing New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, and a kick-off from National Apollo Field Director Ron Ruggiero. In addition, the day featured three panels. The first focused on Mass Transit-Based Reindustrialization. The second explored the Phoenix Reindustrialization Strategy and Emerging Green Industries. The third concluded with a presentation from New York State Deputy Secretary for Renewable Energy Sarah Osgood, who reported on the development of the state Energy Plan and its potential impact on green job development. Roughly 80 people participated in the conference. For more information about the conference, contact Adam Hilliard at Workforce Development Institute: ahilliard [at] wdiny.org.
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