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The following workshops were offered at the conference:
Bargaining Strategies for Economic and Environmental Sustainability: How can your union make the most for the membership and the environment at the bargaining table? Share ideas with people who have fought for everything from employer subsidies for energy efficient appliances to successorship clauses for utilities investing in wind and other renewables. Presenter: Lynn Hinkle, Health and Safety Director, UAW Local 879, St. Paul, Minn.
Clean Energy Investments for Unions: Responsible investing means supporting good labor practices, good environmental practices, and getting a good return on your union funds. This workshop will explore options available to managers of pensions and other union funds. Presenter: Thomas W. Croft, Heartland Alliance
Creating Coalitions: The old union adage has never been more true: united we stand, divided we beg. Sometimes we can gain even more strength when we unite with community and environmental groups. This workshop explains how strategic partnerships can make us stronger and provides tips for creating them. Presenter: David Foster, Blue-Green Alliance
Cap and Trade and Invest: One plan for carbon regulation is to cap emissions, and auction off credits. This workshop will explore ways to use the funds from the auctions to promote jobs in the new energy economy. Presenter: Dan Seligman, Policy Director, Apollo Alliance
Green Conversion in Manufacturing: In a climate of layoff and closings, some unions are pushing their employers to invest in clean technologies that will keep their worksites thriving into the future. Presenter: Lynn Hinkle, Health and Safety Director, UAW Local 879, St. Paul, Minn.
Green Schools: Teachers, service workers, and construction workers all stand to benefit from making our schools more energy efficient. Some studies show that students learn better in green schools too. Find out what is being doing to promote these high-performance buildings. Presenter: Diana Porter, Cincinnati Federation of Teachers
Job Creation in the New Energy Economy: The future energy industry will create many jobs for building trades, utility workers, manufacturing unions, and others. What policies are needed to promote this job creation and what strategies do we need to keep them union? Presenter: Kate Gordon, Program Director, Apollo Alliance
Job Security in the New Energy Economy : The new energy economy will put some workers’ job security at risk. What strategies do we employ to protect the interests of miners, refinery workers, and other industries reliant on fossil fuels? Presenter: Joel Yudken, High Road Strategies, LLC.
Job Training for Green Collar Jobs: Community colleges and union apprentice programs are vital to building the workforce needed for the new energy economy. This workshop will explore how unions can develop job training programs that lift workers out of poverty. Presenter: Jason Walsh, Workforce Alliance.
Manufacturing Opportunities in Efficient Autos: The Midwest has the infrastructure and workforce to produce high-quality efficient vehicles. Some plants are already doing just that. Find out the latest research on lean green machines, and what policy opportunities we have to encourage even more investment in fuel-efficient vehicle technologies. Presenters: Charles Griffith and Claudette Juska, Ecology Center, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Organizing in the Renewable Energy Sector: From initial contact to first contract, the renewable energy industry holds promise for organizing. This workshop explores some of the particular considerations in this industry. Presenter: Rob Witherall, Steelworkers Representative
Promoting Smart Policy: More and more legislators are recognizing the need for quick action to prevent climate disruption. This workshop will provide examples of how labor has not only come to the table, but set the table with labor-friendly options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Carla Din, Western Regional Field Director, Apollo Alliance
The Role of Coal: Coal is highly polluting, both in its extraction and its consumption. But in the Midwest 60% of our electricity comes from coal, and it is relatively cheap and abundant. Is there a role for coal in the new energy economy? Presenter: Gail Francis, Center on Wisconsin Strategy
Smart Growth for Working Families: Suburban sprawl-and the harm it causes cities and workers-is often brought about by government subsidies. Learn how smart growth alternatives can create better jobs, expand commuter options and make communities more liveable. Presenter: Greg Leroy, Good Jobs First.
Trade Policy in the New Energy Economy: Reforming current trade policies will be vital to American workers reaping the benefits of the New Energy Economy. This workshop will explore how international labor and environmental standards and clean energy investments are the foundation of an effective policy to revitalize American manufacturing. Presenters: David Foster, Blue-Green Alliance; Bob Baugh, AFL-CIO Industrial Unions Council; Margrete Strand, Sierra Club.