April, a pivotal month in the environmental calendar, symbolizes a global call to action for Earth Day, reminding us of our collective responsibility to safeguard our planet and foster a sustainable future. Although lesser known, April 28th commemorates the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. These observances underscore our shared responsibility to protect our planet and highlight the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of all workers.

Earth Day, founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970, emerged as a powerful grassroots movement to raise awareness about environmental issues and galvanize action on a national scale. The inaugural Earth Day sparked a monumental shift in public attitudes and paved the way for landmark ecological legislation that shaped our nation’s environmental policies. The Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Environmental Protection Agency were all established in the 1970s in response to the awareness brought about by the establishment of Earth Day. April 22nd has grown into the largest secular civic event in the world, with over 1 billion people participating.
Cardboard sign stating climate justice now.

Similarly, the International Labour Organization’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work is a global platform to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases. This year’s theme, focusing on the impacts of climate change on occupational safety and health, underscores the urgent need for collective action to address the intersection of environmental sustainability and workplace safety. This year’s theme is highly fitting, as 2023 was one of the warmest years on record. A year marred by record deaths for those who work outdoors with little to no legal safeguards, and indoor workers are facing increased opposition to protections.

At our first Community of Practice session for the year, our cohort discussed the history of labor organizing and its ties to environmental justice. We defined terms pertinent to organizers and discussed the Green New Deal and the interconnection between unions and eco-equity. The Jacobin does a superb job espousing the need for unification between labor and climate activists, using Todd E. Vachon’s book Clean Air and Good Jobs as a case study.

As we commemorate Earth Day and World Day for Safety and Health at Work, we reaffirm our commitment to creating inclusive and sustainable workplaces where the well-being of both workers and the environment are prioritized. Together, let us continue championing initiatives that foster a safer, healthier, and more equitable future for all.

In Solidarity,

​​​​​​Brianna, Janelle, + Rob

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As we commemorate Women’s History Month, we reflect on women’s pivotal role in shaping the labor movement and advancing equity and inclusion in the workforce. Women were excluded from the labor movement for too long until it became clear that progress could only be achieved when all voices were heard and valued.

Moments of upheaval have often served as catalysts for women to organize and advocate for change. Take, for instance, the suffrage movement and the Triangle Shirtwaist fire tragedy in 1911, which claimed the lives of 146 primarily young immigrant women in New York. These events galvanized women to mobilize for safer working conditions and the right to vote, ultimately leading to the passage of the 19th Amendment and increased union membership. Similarly, the wave of women entering the workforce during and after World War II and the women’s liberation movement in the late 1960s and ’70s paved the way for significant advancements in women’s rights and workplace equality. These pivotal moments changed the course of women’s involvement in the workforce, helping to pass equal pay legislation and propel women into leadership roles across various industries.

As we celebrate the contributions of visionary leaders like Ai-jen Poo, Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, and Dolores Huerta, we recognize that women have not only helped rewrite the history of unions, but they are also paving the way for the future. Ai-jen Poo has revolutionized the landscape for domestic workers, leading the National Domestic Workers Alliance and advocating for policy reforms to protect vulnerable workers. Similarly, Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher has blazed trails as the first woman and person of color to serve as Chief Officer of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, championing landmark laws on paid sick leave and farmworker protections. Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers Association, has dedicated her life to advocating for farmworkers’ rights and the Chicano civil rights movement, leaving an indelible mark on history.

According to an article in The 19th, studies have shown that unionization benefits women more than men, eliminating factors that fuel pay disparity and empowering women in negotiations for fair pay and benefits. As we move forward, it is critical to continue to have women represented at all levels of union activity, ensuring that their voices are heard and valued in shaping a more equitable and inclusive workforce for all. In commemorating Women’s History Month, let us honor women’s pivotal role in shaping the labor movement and driving progress toward equity and inclusion in the workforce.

In Solidarity,

​​​​​​Brianna, Janelle, + Rob

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