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The Midwest Labor-Environmental Summit
February 28--March 1, 2003
South Bend, Indiana

Labor and environmentalists may not always agree, but the Alliance for Sustainable Jobs
and the Environment (ASJE) believes that both our movements are stronger when we can
work together.

The Midwest Labor-Environmental Summit will provide an opportunity for regional labor
and environmental leaders to interact and plan common strategies. With a hostile political
climate in Washington D.C. and mixed control of State Houses in the region, 2003 is a
critical time for labor and environmentalists to collaborate more effectively. The Midwest
Labor-Environmental Summit seeks to create space for frank and constructive discussion
of the barriers to greater blue- green cooperation, thought provoking presentations on key
issues, and opportunities for strategic thinking and planning on the challenges that are most important to you.

The program for the Summit will begin with attention to the basics: how can trade unionists and environmentalists work together more effectively?  Opening sessions will present "Labor 101 for Environmentalists" and a comparable discussion for union leaders and activists to provide them with helpful insights about the environmental movement. Time will be provided to hear a variety of viewpoints and encourage discussion about the challenges facing both movements in the Midwest. Why are many unions losing members? How do we deal with the right-wing media? What's the game plan of the region's corporations and their political allies? Why don't unions and environmentalists work together more effectively? What can we do about it?
 
Then, several issues will be discussed that create strategic opportunities for "blue-green"
work:

Economic development. Too often state and municipal economic development policies are developed without consulting workers or communities. Incentives are given to businesses without real public debate or consideration of whether they will create living wage, environmentally sustainable jobs. What are the economic choices for states and
communities that promote the well-being of workers and protection of the environment,
instead of harming our collective interests? How can labor and environmentalists work
together to create the political power to affect these decisions? Why (and how) should
environmentalists support living wage campaigns, organizing drives, and resistance to
privatization?

Energy. Greater use of renewable energy and energy conservation could provide
significant benefits for the Midwest, but how can we insure that new jobs are union jobs?
How can unions and greens work together to "repower the Midwest" in a way that
strengthens, not weakens the power of workers and their unions, and provides a "Just
Transition" for workers who lose jobs? Are there technologies that can maintain jobs,
while cleaning up old coal powerplants? What are the "clean energy" policy mechanisms
at the state and community level that both unions and environmentalists can get behind?
Can unions and environmentalists work together to promote more effective regulation of
the electric utility industry? How do we deal more effectively with our differences over
nuclear wastes, automobile emissions, and other tough issues?

Water and Toxics. The Great Lakes, other surface waterways, and groundwater are
integral to the economy and quality of life in the Midwest. How can good jobs be created
restoring the Great Lakes and shorelines? What interests do unions and environmentalists share around threats to commodify water, or privatize water systems? How can our region compete more successfully for resources to invest in cleanup and restoration of our water resources? Are there ways that unions and environmentalists can work together more effectively to prevent the generation of toxics in manufacturing, and reduce the risk to both workers and communities?

Global Economy. The Midwest has been profoundly affected by NAFTA and other rules
for global trade and investment that have hastened the deindustrialization of the region
and encouraged businesses to engage in a "race to the bottom" to lower costs at the
expense of both workers and the environment. Industries like steel and autos are still
fighting for fair trade rules, while the new corporate trade agenda threatens the
privatization and deregulation of the "services" sector of the economy including health
care, education, transportation, construction, and public services. How can unions and
environmentalists in the Midwest work together more effectively to build the political
power necessary to head off dangerous new trade and investment rules that will make it
even more difficult to keep high wage, environmentally sustainable jobs?

Finally, the Midwest Labor-Environmental Summit will provide the opportunity for state
caucuses to discuss "next steps" toward building stronger "blue-green" relationships.
What are the campaigns that are ready to fly? Where is attention need to building the
foundation for more solid cooperation in the future? How do we produce analyses of issues that help our constituents see the links between good jobs and environmental
stewardship? What are the communications and education mechanisms that will advance
our collective work?

What will participants in the Midwest Labor-Environmental Summit take home with
them? New contacts will help activists learn more effectively from each other.
Information about current developments in other states will give participants ideas for
innovative approaches. New strategies for "blue-green" cooperation will emerge.
Greater understanding of how unions and environmentalists can work together will lay the
foundation for more powerful coalitions at the State House and in communities.

For more information on the Midwest Labor-Environmental Summit, contact ASJE at (503)736-9777, admin@asje.org.  

The four best sources of information and advice on health and safety questions in Wisconsin are:

            Region V
            230 S. Dearborn Street
            Chicago, IL  60604
            (773) 353-2220

   
            Appleton Area Office
            1648 Tri Park Way
            Appleton, Wisconsin 54914
            (920) 734-4521
            (920) 734-2661 FAX

            Eau Claire District Office
            1310 W. Clairemont Avenue
            Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701
            (715) 832-9019
            (715) 832-1147 FAX

            Madison Area Office
            4802 E. Broadway
            Madison, Wisconsin 53716
            (608)441-5388
            (608)441-5400 FAX

            Milwaukee Area Office
            Henry S. Reuss Building
            320 West Wisconsin Avenue
            Suite 1180
            Milwaukee, WI  53202
            (414) 297-3315

           Appleton Office:  (920) 832-5450
           Madison Office:  (608) 266-1340
           Milwaukee Office:  (414) 227-4381

            www.dwd.state.wi.us/wc_safe

            Wisconsin State AFL-CIO
            6333 W. Blue Mound Road
            Milwaukee, WI  53213
            (414) 771-0700 phone, (414) 771-1715 fax
            jbucio@wisaflcio.org

            WISCOSH
            (414) 933-2338 phone, (414) 342-1998 fax
            Web Site:  http://www.execpc.com/~wiscoshm/
            wiscoshm@execpc.com

Health and Safety Links

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry   Provides detailed information on data and toxic substances and work-related diseases.  
American National Standards Institute  Provides information on industry safety and health guidelines.
American Public Health Association

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers   ides information on the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation and air 
Canadian Centre  Safety and health information and extensive links to other sites.

Center For Disease Control  Information and data on public health issues.  This site has extensive safety and health links.
Coalition For Wisconsin Health   Displays changes in the health care system.

Construction  Contains a number of web sites which are directly related to the construction industry.
EPA Chemical Fact Sheets  

Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health (eLCOSH) Provides materials on a wide range of safety and health topics.  
European Agency for Safety and Health  Information on standards, legislation and resources in countries in the European Union.
Mining  Lists a number of web sites which are directly related to the mining industry.

Mine Safety and Health Administration  (MSHA) Information on the agency, technical support, publications and standards.
New Jersey Hazardous Substance  Provides fact sheets on 2500 chemicals.

National Fire Protection Association  (NFPA)  Provides information on fire safety guidelines.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health  (NIOSH) Information on the agency, publications, health hazard evaluations and databases, as well as extensive fety and health links.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration  (OSHA)  Information on the agency, technical support, publications and standards.  In addition, the site has extensive safety d health links.
Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission   (OSHRC)  An independent federal agency that decides disputes involving work safety violation, this website provides OSHRC decisions for 1997 and 1998, along with a guide to trial procedures, press releases and links to other job safety sites.
Workindex.com  Cornell University site on workplace issues including extensive links on health, safety and security.

The Wisconsin Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (WisCOSH)

The Workers' Page (OSHA)  

Environmental

Enviro-Facts  IInformation on environmental legislation.

Environmental Information Resource  From George Washington University's web site, where you will find information on a large number of environmental issues.
Environmental Protection Agency  (EPA)  Information on the agency, technical support publications and databases, as well as extensive environmental links.
RTK Net  Access to government database on environmental issues and companies.

Research


Federal Register  Read Federal Register publications online.

Info Network for Public Health Officials  Online list of each state's public health department.

Library of Congress Legislative  Safety and health environment issues.

National Institute of Health  Information on research, training and grants.

Material Safety Data Sheet  Access to over 1,000,000 Safety Data Sheets and 1,000 links directly to manufacturers.

National Library of Medicine  Medical information, fact sheets and reports.

Pesticide Information Profile  

THOMAS  Library of Congress Legislative site.

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