AFL-CIO & Community Partners Committed to Equity, Climate Resilience & Good Jobs
Globally, the building and construction sectors have long been critiqued for their lack of diversity, particularly concerning the underrepresentation of people of color (POC) and women. A University of Westminster study of the construction of the Heathrow Terminal 5 suggests that "the construction industry remains a predominantly white, male, able-bodied enclave, despite all the efforts made to make it inclusive." In the United States, these disparities stem from systemic barriers such as transportation and housing affordability issues, along with deep-seated institutional racism and sexism, and have led to unprecedented labor shortages. The sector's historical nepotism exacerbates these challenges, often referred to disparagingly as the "good old boys club."
The AFL-CIO has taken a significant step toward rectifying these inequities. Last week, they hosted the first Climate, Equity, and Jobs Convening Kickoff, a strategic effort to leverage the Biden-Harris administration's historic investments in building a green economy, focusing on clean energy jobs that promise economic equity and sustainability.
The convening highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized workers, a reality that amplifies the urgency of the AFL-CIO's mission. Union members directly affected by climate phenomena, along with Biden administration representatives and leaders from racial justice, environmental justice groups, and faith organizations, and community partners like United Way came together to discuss and devise strategies that tackle these pressing issues.
The convening also included a panel discussion with Global faith leader, Bishop Carroll - Vice President of Policy & Legislative Affairs from the NAACP, Patrice Willoughby - and United Way Worldwide's own Rachel Small, Senior VP of Government Partnerships. They discussed the importance of centering equity in all of their work including disaster relief response efforts. "We've had a longtime robust partnership with the AFL-CIO and organized labor - 82 years. We are also excited to share that United Way Worldwide is part of the Power Forward Coalition, one of the awardees of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, in partnership with organized Labor and others. Our work is around electrifying houses primarily in lower income communities. Being here today is inspiring me even more and we are proud to be partnering in this critical work to build equity in communities," Rachel said.
The AFL-CIO, with a firm commitment, has outlined a robust strategy for integrating environmental and racial justice into the labor movement. This strategy includes engaging with community and justice organizations to advance equitable solutions to pollution and climate challenges, advocating for long-term investments in climate adaptation and resilience, and ensuring these investments result in equitable job opportunities. The AFL-CIO and its affiliates are resolute in their intent to dismantle the barriers that have kept women and POC out of lucrative union jobs, particularly in sectors poised for growth through