Blue Green Alliance presses for good jobs, clean environment

On the eve of Earth Day, the Blue Green Alliance will press the Minnesota Legislature to act for good jobs and a clean environment. Activities include a rally at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21, in the Capitol Rotunda.

The Blue Green Alliance, formed last year, builds on over 10 years of efforts by Minnesota labor unions and environmentalists to oppose unfair trade policies and encourage corporate accountability. Unions, conservation groups and environmental groups join forces for change through large memberships, strong grassroots organizing skills and a shared tradition of activism.

At the rally Thursday, Alliance members will call on legislators to mark Earth Day with measures for sustainable jobs, clean environment and a safer world. “Legislators have opportunity to go beyond tree planting and platitudes by passing measures to create sustainable jobs, cleaner environment,” the group said in announcing the event.

Speakers at the rally will include:

? Josh Syrjamaki, Director of Steelworkers Associate Member Program
? Diana McKeown, Program Director, Clean Water Action Alliance of Minnesota
? Dennis Sjdoin, Vice President, Minnesota Farmers Union
? ? Dee Long, program director, Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ME3)
? Mat Hollinshead, Transportation Chair, Sierra Club, North Star Chapter
? Mark Froemke, President of the Northern Valley Labor Council (E. Grand Forks/Grand Forks) and member of the Minnesota AFL-CIO General Board

Members will also lobby in support of the following bills, SF 1685 & HF 2015, High Performance Buildings; SF 1703 & HF 1735, Transportation Choices 2020; and SF 0834 & HF 1472, Resolution opposing CAFTA.

Blue Green Alliance Partner Organizations include the Minnesota AFL-CIO, Sierra Club North Star Chapter, United Steelworkers of America District 11, Clean Water Action Alliance, AFSCME Council 6, SEIU Minnesota State Council, Teamsters Joint Council 32, Minnesota Building Trades and Environment 2004, Izaak Walton League of America -Midwest Office, Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient (ME3) Economy, Institute for a Sustainable Future (ISF) and the League of Rural Voters.

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