CJNY Receives New York City Council Proclamation

On Tuesday, September 19th the New York City Council honored Climate Jobs New York with a proclamation to recognize the coalition’s work to achieve good, union jobs and advance towards a greener economy. CJNY was honored alongside environmental groups by NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Councilmembers Sandy Nurse, Carmen De La Rosa, Amanda Farías, James Gennaro, and Alexa Avilés as part of New York City Climate Week 2023. 

Rank-and-file members from three coalition affiliated unions received the proclamation on behalf of Climate Jobs NY: Mara Baboff, a public school teacher and member of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT); Emanuel Yllescas, an electrician and member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 3; and Nella Pineda-Marcon, a nurse and member of the New York Nurses Association. Their stories related to the crowd the impacts of climate change on both their workplaces and their lives, and showcased how they see their unions leading the way towards a greener, more sustainable future. 

Here is what CJNY leadership and members had to say about their work and the recognition from the City Council: 

“We appreciate the New York City Council’s recognition of the crucial role that union members play in the transition to a clean, green and renewable energy future. Union members are trained and ready to build and operate offshore wind, install solar panels on New York’s buildings and make the energy efficiency building retrofits so that we reduce overall energy use,” said Gary LaBarbera, President of The New York State Building Trades.

“We applaud the City Council for lifting up the work of labor and community coalitions who are advocating for the responsible development of clean and renewable energy. The labor movement is in the forefront of these efforts as New York City moves towards addressing the ongoing threat of climate change and building out a clean energy economy,” said Vincent Alvarez, President of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

“Climate Jobs NY is very pleased to be recognized by the City Council for our efforts to make New York City and State a leader in creating good union jobs in the clean and renewable energy sectors. The Carbon Free and Healthy Schools Campaign advocates for New York City to transition all of the New York City public schools to solar power and implement other energy efficiency measures and physical plant improvements to ensure that all of New York’s public schools are healthy and energy efficient places to learn and to work,” said Lenore Friedlaender, Executive Director of Climate Jobs NY.

"I have been actively involved in Climate and Environmental Justice issues since 2013, when I went to the Philippines, the country where I was born, and saw first-hand the devastation Typhoon Haiyan left behind. This was not long after Superstorm Sandy struck New York, causing flooding and destruction here at home, especially for low-income communities of color. As a nurse, it was easy for me to make the link between climate change and public health. I knew then that NYSNA had a uniquely important role in this fight!” said Nella Pineda-Marion, a nurse and member of NYSNA.

“My union, like many other unions, is doing a lot of seminars and trainings so that we are prepared to work on offshore wind, solar installation, and other energy efficiency projects. It’s urgent that we all do our part to combat climate change. I want to make sure that my family, my future family, and everyone’s family has a sustainable planet to live on with good jobs,” said Emanuel Yllescas, a union electrician and member of IBEW Local 3.

“Climate change is causing extreme heat and wildfires. That makes the air quality worse. I am a special needs teacher and the health of some of my kids is very fragile. Some are very sensitive to air quality. The Carbon Free and Healthy Schools Campaign is pushing to get all of our public schools energy efficient with good air quality and proper air conditioning and heating and to put solar on all of our schools so we all do our part to slow down climate change,” said Mara Baboff, a special education teacher and member of UFT.

“The planet is not ours to own, it’s ours on loan and we all have a responsibility to make sure the climate we hand off to future generations is viable. Unions can be part of that solution,” said 32BJ SEIU member and residential superintendent Martin Robertson. “I have participated in and now teach ‘Green’ classes at my union’s training fund – free to members – to equip residential building service workers with knowledge and skills to reduce buildings’ carbon footprint and adopt the latest building efficiency techniques. I’ve put this knowledge to use at my 300-unit building. I’m proud my union is part of Climate Jobs NY and is helping the fight to make sure green jobs are good union jobs. Unions can lead on climate. And so can NYC!”