Statement from International President Harry Lombardo:
“TWU has always been proud to stand on the front lines of social justice issues—from civil and human rights, to women’s rights, to climate change. On April 29, we’ll also be proud to support the People’s March for Climate, Jobs, and Justice, because when regular people take to the streets and make their voices heard, the balance of power returns to the everyday Americans who make this economy run.
We recognize the critical connection between creating strong, sustainable jobs as part of the transition to a greener economy. So while some may deny that global warming is a real and present danger, or claim that clean air and water regulations, health and safety rule enforcement, and minimum wage laws place an unreasonable burden on big business, we stand in solidarity with the millions of voices calling on our elected officials to take action.
Many TWU locals design their own sustainability initiatives specific to their industry and employer, and we expect members from each division around the country to join their brothers and sisters at marches next Saturday, much like they did for the women’s march in January. With so many of our members working each day around heavy machinery and harmful emissions, plus facing maximum exposure in depots, yards, and hangars, we take a keen interest in any initiative that seeks to protect worker safety.”