green unionism

Compiled by x344543 - IWW Environmental Unionism Caucus, February 24, 2015

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are not the official position of the IWW (or even the IWW’s EUC) and do not necessarily represent the views of anyone but the author’s.

The following news items feature issues, discussions, campaigns, or information potentially relevant to green unionists:

Lead Stories:

• Register now for the Future of Railroads: Safety, Workers, Community & the Environment Conferences: Richmond, California (March 14, 2015) and Olympia, Washington (March 21, 2015) - railroadconference.org
• Railroads Want One-Man Crews on Massive Freight Trains - By Tony Dokoupil, NBC News, February 22, 2015
• Striking for Climate Justice - By Peter Rugh, Dissent, February 21, 2015

USW Refinery Workers Strike News:

• Industry demands more blood, will not engage in meaningful talks to address critical safety issues - United Steelworkers, February 23, 2015
• No new talks set between Shell, Steelworkers - By LM Sixel, FuelFix, February 22, 2015
• Steelworkers strike expands to Port Arthur and beyond - By Laura Goldberg, FuelFix, February 21, 2015
• Steelworker strike: Talks ongoing as tensions mount on picket line - By LM Sixel, FuelFix, February 20, 2015
• Steelworkers picket outside two Louisiana refineries - Associated Press, February 23, 2015
• USW to Expand ULP Oil Strike; Work Stoppage begins tonight at Motiva’s Port Arthur, Texas facility; 24-hour strike notices delivered to three Louisiana facilities - United Steelworkers, February 21, 2015

"We Just Come to Work Here; We Don't Come to Die":

• About 100 miners trapped underground, 400 rescued at Harmony Gold’s mine - By Cecilia Jamasmie, Mining.Com, February 22, 2015; [update]: All workers rescued at Harmony's mine, but profit to take a hit - By Cecilia Jamasmie, Mining.Com, February 23, 2015
• Coal mine blast kills eight, traps 40 in Pakistan - By Cecilia Jamasmie, Mining.Com, February 21, 2015
• Health Concerns Mount After Refinery Explosion Coats California City With White Ash - By Emily Atkin and Sacha Feinman, Climate Progress, February 20, 2015
• Maintenance work at Shell Refinery causes bad odors - By Evan Marczynski, GoSkagit.Com, February 21, 2015
• The True Price of Gas in Torrance - By Kate Usher, National Nurses United, February 20, 2015
• Union, Environmental Group Say Dozens of Nuclear Workers Suffering from Toxic Materials Exposure - By Elizabeth Grossman, In These Times, February 20, 2015

1267-Watch:

• Committee hears pushback against two-man train crew requirement; Kansas Railroads spokesperson: Safety is top concern - By Jonathan Shorman, Topeka Capital-Journal, February 20, 2015
• Damaged rail cars enjoy lenient rules as oil train explosions plague small towns - By Blake Sobczak, E&E Publishing, February 18, 2015
• In 'rail renaissance,' railroads reap in record profits despite decline in traffic; The nation's four major railroads still have less traffic than a decade ago, but their stocks are soaring and their profits are high - By Richard Webner, The Florida Times-Union, February 8, 2015
• Terra Verde, on California plan for crude by rail and current resistance [audio clip] - By Laura Garzon-Chica, KPFA 94.1 FM, February 20, 2015
• Two Charts Show Why America Needs To Invest In Railroad Tracks - By Abigail Tracy, Vocativ, February 17, 2015
• U.S. oil trains are taking high-stakes risks with lives - By John Kemp, Reuters, February 17, 2015
• W.Va. oil train derailment reverberates in the Bakken - By Blake Sobczak, E&E News (republished by Dakota Resources Council), February 23, 2015

Carbon Bubble:

• Three more oil service firms cutting hundreds of jobs, wages - By Collin Eaton, FuelFix, February 19, 2015

Green Jobs and Just Transition:

• West Virginians Look Toward The Sun, Say No To Coal, Fracking - By Mikala Reasbeck, Mint Press News, February 19, 2015

Global Anti-Capitalism:

• Labor Beat: Climate Change and Capitalism [Video] - By System Change not Climate Change, Labor Beat, February 13, 2015
• LA: Hundreds Protest Dept Toxic Substance Control, Environmental Injustice - EGP Staff Report, EGP News, February 19, 2015
• Hundreds protest at Maules Creek mine - By Mel Barnes, Green Left Weekly, February 21, 2015
• A New Alignment of Movements? - By David Bollier, David Bollier's blog, February 18, 2015
• REDD and Neocolonialism in the Land of the Pataxo Warriors - By Renata Bessi and Santiago Navarro F, Truthout, February 22, 2015
• Syriza Faces Environmental Test as Open-Pit Gold Mine Looms over Greece - Earth First! Newswire, February 19, 2015

Other News:

• Australia’s Hunter Valley coal's health bill more than $460m a year - By Cecilia Jamasmie, Mining.Com, February 23, 2015
• How Covert Agents Infiltrate the Internet to Manipulate, Deceive, and Destroy Reputations - By Glen Greenwald, The Intercept, February 24, 2014
• Two Stories That Prove Climate Change Is Class War - Compiled by Alexander Reid Ross, Earth First! Newswire, February 22, 2015

For more green news, please visit our news feeds section on ecology.iww.org; Twitter #IWWEUC

Compiled by x344543 - IWW Environmental Unionism Caucus, February 22, 2015

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are not the official position of the IWW (or even the IWW’s EUC) and do not necessarily represent the views of anyone but the author’s.

The following news items feature issues, discussions, campaigns, or information potentially relevant to green unionists:

Lead Stories:

• Register now for the Future of Railroads: Safety, Workers, Community & the Environment Conferences: Richmond, California (March 14, 2015) and Olympia, Washington (March 21, 2015) - railroadconference.org
• The Seeds of an Alternative; Thousands of oil refinery workers are striking for safer working conditions. Their fight is central to the struggle against climate change - By Trish Kahle, Jacobin, February 19, 2015

USW Refinery Workers Strike News:

• BP picketing outside, work inside continues - Karen Caffarini, Chicago Post-Tribune, February 17, 2015
• CBE Demands Safety from Chevron in Richmond during refinery workers strike - Communities for a Better Environment, February 17, 2015
• Fitch: Refinery strikes could send gasoline up if they extend into driving season - By Collin Eaton, FuelFix, February 18, 2015
• KPFA WorkWeek February 17, 2015; USW Oil Strike And PMA Lockout OF ILWU On West Coast Docks - KPFA [Soundcloud File]
• LyondellBasell: Strikers, come back to work - By LM Sixel, FuelFix, February 18, 2015
• Strike update: BP training additional replacement workers - By LM Sixel, FuelFix, February 18, 2015

We Just Come to Work Here; We Don't Come to Die:

• Blast hits Exxon Mobil refinery in Southern California [Video] - Associated Press, February 18, 2015
• Explosion at Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, injures four - By Nichola Groom, Reuters, February 18, 2015
• Explosion Rips Through Torrance Refinery, Shakes South Bay; Residents near the oil refinery said the ground shook and ash rained from above after the blast - By Jonathan Lloyd and Toni Guinyard, NBC Los Angeles, February 18, 2015
• Gas prices jump after Torrance refinery explosion - By Veronica Rocha, Los Angeles Times, February 19, 2015
• Huge Explosion Rips Through California Oil Refinery, Adding Fuel To Oil Worker Strike - Emily Atkin and Sacha Feinman, Think Progress, February 18, 2015
• Torrance ExxonMobil Refinery Rocked by Large Explosion; Earthquake-Like Shaking Reported - By Tracy Bloom, Melissa Pamer, Christina Pascucci, Erin Myers and Mary Beth McDade, KTLA TV 5, February 18, 2015
• USW: California Refinery Explosion Provides Further Evidence of Need for Safety Improvements; Union Calls on Industry to Negotiate Solutions to Protect Workers and Communities - By Wayne Ranick, PR News Wire, February 18, 2015

1267-Watch:

• After Oil Train Derailment, Will West Virginia Finally Protect Its Water Supply? - by Katie Valentine, Think Progress, February 17, 2015
• As Extreme Cold Engulfs Eastern U.S., Fossil Fuel Mishaps Leave Disaster Areas on Fire - By Amy Goodman, Democracy Now, February 19, 2015
• Citing government threats, Teamsters suppress Canadian Pacific rail strike - By Carl Bronski, World Socialist Website, February 17, 2015
• Company Whose Train Exploded Had Spent Millions on Lobbying, Campaign Contributions - By Andy Szal, Chem.Info, February 20, 2015
• Derailment highlights crude oil train, water safety issues - By Ken Ward Jr, Charleston Gazette, February 17, 2015
• Electrified rail one of best clean transport options - By Patrick Mazza, Cascadia Planet, February 17, 2015
• Exploding Trains, No New Regulations, Record Industry Profits: The Oil-by-Rail Story - By Justin Mikulka, DeSmog Blog, February 18, 2015
• Last-minute negotiations end strikes at CP Rail - By Ella Bedard, Rabble.Ca, February 17, 2015
• How Would You Like Your Oil Spilled Today Sir?; Oil Trains Spill More Often, But Pipelines Spill Bigger - By Emily Atkin, Think Progress, February 18, 2015
• ND oil train safeguards too little, too late [video] - by Rachel Maddow, Rachel Maddow Show, February 17, 2015
• Oil trains are blowing up all over the place - By John Light, Grist, February 17, 2015
• Report: Oil Trains Threaten 25 Million Americans, Iconic Rivers, Wildlife; Moratorium on ‘Bomb’ Trains Needed Till Safety Can Be Ensured [Notable: includes demands suggested by Railroad Workers United] - By Jared Margolis, Center for Biological Diversity, February 19, 2015
• Riverkeeper Calls for Immediate Steps to Protect Public From Danger of Crude Oil Trains - By Leah Rae, River Keeper, February 18, 2015
• Stephen Harper prepares to trample on workers' rights yet again - By Elizabeth May, Rabble.Ca, February 17, 2015
• Train that derailed in West Virginia had newer crude oil tanker cars - By Jeff Pegues, CBS News, February 17, 2015
• Trains Hauling Crude Oil Across North America Just Keep Exploding - By James West, Climate Desk, February 17, 2015
• Two More ‘Bomb Train’ Explosions Should Be ‘Wake-Up Call to Politicians to Stop These Dangerous Oil Trains’ - By Anastasia Pantsios, EcoWatch, February 17, 2015

Carbon Bubble:

• Marathon to lay off 350 to 400 workers - By Robert Grattan, FuelFix, February 19, 2015

Green Jobs and Just Transition:

• Analysis: Enercon affiliate loses labour dispute over weekend work - By Sara Knight, Wind Power Monthly, February 17, 2015
• Fossil fuel divestment backlash forces the question: Which side are you on? - By Kate Arnoff, The Ecologist, February 18, 2015

Greenwashing:

• The Bitter Twilight of Social Democracy: NDP, unions and enviro NGOs back transit referendum - By Aiyanas Ormond, The Mainlander, February 13, 2015
• Despite Claims of Progress, Labor and Environmental Violations Continue to Plague Apple - By Nicki Lisa Cole and Jenny Chan, Truthout, February 19, 2015

An Injury to One is an Injury to All!:

• Support the Injured Colombian Workers!!!  - By Paige Shell Spurling, Alliance for Global Justice, February 17, 2015

Other News:

• Doc Shows Canadian Police View Environmentalists, Not Climate Change, as Real Threat; RCMP document says 'small but violent-prone faction' of groups could pose 'a credible threat' to security - By Andrea Germanos, Common Dreams, February 19, 2015
• Ohio Farmers Union opposes proposed pipeline project - By Aaron Krause, Norwalk Reflector, February 16, 2015
• Thousands of Polish farmers march in Warsaw - By Julian Rose, La Via Campesina, February 19, 2015
• Trade Deals Should Come With Their Own Warnings for Public Health - By Chuck Idelson, National Nurses United, February 18, 2015

For more green news, please visit our news feeds section on ecology.iww.org; Twitter #IWWEUC

Compiled by x344543 - IWW Environmental Unionism Caucus, February 18, 2015

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are not the official position of the IWW (or even the IWW’s EUC) and do not necessarily represent the views of anyone but the author’s.

Within the last several days there have been two crude-by-rail accidents: one in Ontario, the other in West Virgina. Meanwhile, one of the unions representing the railroad workers at Canada Pacific almost went on strike (until the Canadian government, acting clearly on behalf of the employing class and the latter's need to continue profiting off of crude-by-rail, threatened to intervene). CN was prepared to use untrained managers as "replacement workers" (scabs), not unlike the fossil fuel corporations have likewise threatened to use scabs in the oil refineries--for example Chevron in Richmond--during the current Steelworkers' strike.

Given the circumstances it's more urgent than ever that eco-activists, front-line communities, unionists (and those that are combinations of them or all of them) register to participate in the upcoming Future of Railroads: Safety, Workers, Community & the Environment Conferences: Richmond, California (March 14, 2015) and Olympia, Washington (March 21, 2015) - railroadconference.org, or organize one of your own.

Beyond that, it's clear that the capitalist driven profit motive, which encourages the extraction and transport of increasingly volatile fuels, under increasingly unsafe conditions, using as few (overworked, exploited) workers as possible places not only communities along the rail lines, but our entire existence on this planet at risk. These catastrophes cannot be avoided unless we abolish wage slavery and live in harmony with the earth!

Lead Stories:

• After Latest US Oil Train Disaster, Expert Says Tens of Millions Living Inside 'Blast Zone'; 'We need to be moving away from production, transportation and use of fossil fuels, period—if we want a livable planet, that is.' - By Lauren McCauley, Common Dreams, February 17, 2015
• Another bomb train blows up: Could workers put an end to this madness? - By Peter Rugh, System Change not Climate Change, February 17, 2015

Ontario CN Derailment:

• Canadian National’s main line shuts after crude cars derail - Bloomberg, February 15, 2015
• Fiery Oil Train Crash Lights Up Frozen Ontario Woods - News Editor, Environmental News Service, February 16, 2015
• Major Canadian National Railway Crude Oil Train Derailment and Fire in Ontario - By John Kristensen, Railroaded, February 17, 2015
• Oil Train Derails In Canada, Spills Unknown Amount Of Crude Oil - By Katie Valentine, Think Progress, February 16, 2015

Canadian Pacific Contract Fight:

• BLET President blasts CP for unsafe rail practices and threatening employees - Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, February 15, 2015
• Rail Strike May Disrupt Industries Across North America - By Ian Austen, New York Times, February 15, 2015
• Teamsters on strike at Canadian Pacific - Teamsters Canada, February 15, 2015
• Canada Pacific rail and Teamsters agree to arbitration, ending strike - Bloomberg, February 16, 2015
• Canadian Rail Strike Ends as Parties Agree to Arbitration - By Ian Austin, New York Times, February 17, 2015

West Virginia CSX Derailment:

• Breaking: Shale Oil Bomb Train Explodes in W Virginia Neighborhood - By Chip Northrup, No Fracking Way, February 16, 2015
• Fiery Crude Oil Train Derailment in West Virginia - By John Kristensen, Railroaded, February 17, 2015
• Huge fire in West Virginia after oil train derails, sending tanker into river; Around 200 people evacuated from scene of crash south-east of Charleston as rescuers fight to reach one house set ablaze - Associated Press, February 16, 2015
• Massive West Virginia Explosion Highlights Problems With Oil Train Regulation - By Emily Atkin, Think Progress, February 17, 2015
• Oil Train Derailment in West Virginia Causes Explosion, Sends Tanker Cars into River - Cetology via WVNS TV, February 16, 2015
• Oil Train Derails, Explodes, and Spill into West Virginia’s Kanawha River: Stop the Madness - Columbia River Keeper, February 17, 2015
• State of Emergency in West Virginia After Latest Crude by Rail Disaster - By Andy Rowell, Oil Change International, February 16, 2015
• State of emergency declared in West Virginia after train derails, explodes - By Ryan Parker, Los Angeles Times, February 16, 2015
• Train derailment sends crude oil cars into Kanawha River; explosions erupt - By Jeff Jenkins, West Virginia Metro News, February 16, 2015
• Two trains carrying crude oil derail and burn in the past three days, in West Virginia & Ontario - By Meteor Blades, Daily Kos, February 16, 2015
• West Virginia In State Of Emergency After Massive Oil Train Explosion - By Emily Atkin, Think Progress, February 17, 2015
• West Virginia Oil Train Derailment Highlights Need for Significant Safety Reforms; Fiery Wreck, Which Follows Weekend Derailment in Ontario, Sets River Ablaze, Forces Evacuations, Threatens Drinking Water - By Mollie Matteson, Center for Biological Diversity, February 16, 2015
• West Virginia Rail Cars Carrying Bakken Crude Crash, Burn as Feds Study New Regulations - By Jamison Cocklin, NGI Shale Daily, February 17, 2015
• West Virginia Train Derailment: Fireball Erupts Into Sky As Derailment Sends Tanker Into River - By Anastasia Williams and Elara Mosquera, ABC News, February 16, 2015
• West Virginia train derailment puts focus on rail safety - By Jennifer A. Dlouhy, FuelFix, February 17, 2015
• West Virginia Train Derails, Leaks Crude Oil Into Kanawha River - By Susie Madrak, Crooks and Liars, February 16, 2015

Other:

• How a GOP Rep Is Delaying Safety Improvements for “Bomb Trains” - By Justin Mikulka, DeSmogBlog, February 13, 2015
• Revised Oil-Train Safety Rule Said to Delay Upgrade Deadline - By Jim Snyder, Bloomberg, February 12, 2015

For more green news, please visit our news feeds section on ecology.iww.org; Twitter #IWWEUC

Compiled by x344543 - IWW Environmental Unionism Caucus, February 15, 2015

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are not the official position of the IWW (or even the IWW’s EUC) and do not necessarily represent the views of anyone but the author’s.

The following news items feature issues, discussions, campaigns, or information potentially relevant to green unionists:

Lead Stories:

• Register now for the Future of Railroads: Safety, Workers, Community & the Environment Conferences: Richmond, California (March 14, 2015) and Olympia, Washington (March 21, 2015) - railroadconference.org
• Support the USW Oil Workers ULP Strike and Defense Fund - USW Fundraising Appeal

USW Refinery Workers Strike News:

• [Photos] USW Tesoro Picket 2/12/15 (Martinez, California) - United Steelworkers, February 12, 2015
• At my oil refinery, my life is worth the price of a pie; We don’t want to be exposed to potentially fatal hazards unnecessarily. That’s why we’ve organised the largest strike since 1980 to demand worker safe - By Butch Cleve, The Guardian, February 12, 2015
• Health and Safety Concerns Forced Workers into a Work Stoppage [Podcast] - By Steve Garey, United Steelworkers, February 9, 2015
• The same fight; Nurses support the United Steelworkers on their strike lines - By Lucia Hwang, National Nurses United, February 15, 2015 [related] Nurses support refinery protest - By Rick Hurd, San Jose Mercury News, February 13, 2015
• Shell, union spar over picket line etiquette - By LM Sixel, FuelFix, February 13, 2015
• Three U.S. Oil Plants Targeted by Union Strike Report Upsets - By Lynn Doan and Daniel Murtaugh, Bloomberg, February 11, 2015
• USW Striking Oil Workers Speakout For Health And Safety At Tesoro Refinery [video] - By Steve Zeltser, Labor Video Project, February 12, 2015
• Washington Refinery Workers Protest for Better Working and Safety Conditions; Thirteen workers were killed in accidents at two refineries in the state in recent years - By Jonathan Rosenblum, Alternet, February 10, 2015
• [Another Strike?] 1,100 natural gas utility workers on Long Island eye walkout - Associated Press, February 12, 2015

Carbon Bubble:

• Apache slashing Eagle Ford drilling rigs - By Jennifer Hiller, FuelFix, February 13, 2015
• Cenovus to cut 15% of staff, freeze pay - By Michael Allan McCrae, Mining.Com, February 12, 2015
• Driller: More than 1,000 field hands out of work as rigs decline - By Collin Eaton, FuelFix, February 12, 2015
• Hercules Offshore lays off 30 percent of workforce - By Ryan Holeywell, FuelFix, February 12, 2015
• Mirroring oil, this fossil fuel is plunging, too - By John W. Schoen, CNBC, February 11, 2015
• Texas idles more drilling rigs - By Jennifer Hiller, FuelFix, February 13, 2015

Green Jobs and Just Transition:

• California labor: "There are no jobs on a dead planet" - By Michelle Kern & Alex Farr, People's World, February 10, 20155

Global Anti-Capitalism:

• The Debt Slavery Must End to Prevent Environmental Catastrophes: Will Greece Kick Start a Paradigm Shift? - By Stefano Balbi, Common Dreams, February 10, 2015

Other News:

• Constitution Pipeline Threatening 7 PA Landowners With Un-Constitutional Eminent Domain - Energy Justice Summer, February 14, 2015
• Death toll in Brazil offshore oil platform explosion climbs to 5 - Natural Gas Watch, February 11, 2015 [related] Death toll of Brazilian oil ship explosion rises to 5 - Associated Press, February 12, 2015
• Enormous Toxic Cloud Shrouds Six Towns In Spain After Blast At Chemical Plant (VIDEOS) - By Dylan Hock, Addicting Info, February 12, 2015
• Exclusive: Exxon wants five-year Beaumont pact to avert strikes during buildout - By Erwin Seba, Reuters, February 12, 2015
• Growing voices say gig workers need protections, benefits - By Carolyn Said, San Francisco Chronicle, February 13, 2015
• Homophobic culture permeates mining industry - By Ashley Renders, Corporate Knights, February 6, 2015
• Libya reopens strike-hit oil port as U.N. convenes talks - By Ahmed Elumami, Reuters, February 10, 2015
• The Lumber Man In Charge of Climate Policy; Bay Area billionaire Robert Fisher profits by logging California's North Coast forests, even as Governor Jerry Brown has tapped him to help implement the state's anti-global warming agenda - By Will Parrish, East Bay Express, February 11, 2015
• Peru anti-oil protest leaves 1 dead, 22 wounded - Associated Press, February 11, 2015
• VT Gas pulls the plug on pipeline expansion to NY - By Dan D’Ambrosio, Burlington Free Press, February 10, 2015

For more green news, please visit our news feeds section on ecology.iww.org; Twitter #IWWEUC

Compiled by x344543 - IWW Environmental Unionism Caucus, February 10, 2015

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are not the official position of the IWW (or even the IWW’s EUC) and do not necessarily represent the views of anyone but the author’s.

The following news items feature issues, discussions, campaigns, or information potentially relevant to green unionists:

Lead Stories:

• Register now for the Future of Railroads: Safety, Workers, Community & the Environment Conferences: Richmond, California (March 14, 2015) and Olympia, Washington (March 21, 2015) - railroadconference.org
• An Oil Worker & a Union Staffer Explain Why 1,000s of Oil Workers Across the Country Are On Strike - By David Bacon, In These Times, February 12, 2015 [related] USW Web Petition: Safe Refineries Save Lives!

USW Refinery Workers Strike News:

• Climate activists have to stand with the strikers - By Ragina Johnson, Socialist Worker, February 12, 2015
• Labor talks to resume Tuesday - By L.M. Sixel, FuelFix, February 9, 2015 [related] Oil Union Says Shell Talks to Resume in a Week Amid Strike - By Lynn Doan, Bloomberg, February 11, 2015
• Nurses Stand in Solidarity with Steelworkers Amid Safety Concerns - National Nurses United, February 9, 2015
• Oil Workers Are Striking Because They're Underpaid and Overworked—and It's Killing Them - By Rebecca Leber, New Republic, February 10, 2015
• Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on the USW Oil Workers’ Unfair Labor Practice Strike - By Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO, February 11, 2015
• Striking Oil Workers Say They’re Fighting Deadly Working Conditions - By Rebecca Burns, In These Times, February 11, 2015
• Tesoro Refinery strike moves into second week - By Laura Anthony, KGO ABC 7 News, February 10, 2015
• USW Building International Solidarity; Steelworkers President Seeks Meeting with Shell CEO - United Steelworkers, February 9, 2015

Rail Safety:

• Teamsters give CP Rail 72-hour strike notice; 3,330 locomotive engineers and conductors could walk off the job this weekend - By Tracy Johnson, CBC News, February 10, 2015

Carbon Bubble:

• Abandon ship! Riggers flee the collapsing shale oil industry - By Giles Parkinson, ReNew Economy, February 11, 2015
• FMC Technologies to cut about 2,000 jobs - By Collin Eaton, Fuel Fix, February 11, 2015
• Fracking Industry in “Severe Crisis” - By Andy Rowell, Oil Change International, February 11, 2015
• Global oil layoffs exceed 100,000 - Bloomberg, February 12, 2015
• Halliburton to cut 5,000 to 6,500 jobs - By Collin Eaton, FuelFix, February 10, 2015
• Oil budgets slashed to protect shareholder dividends - By Joshua Cain, Fuel Fix, February 9, 2015
• Oil layoffs could come back to haunt the industry - By Tom DiChristopher, CNBC, February 10, 2015
• Why Public Banks Outperform Private Banks: Unfair Competition or a Better Mousetrap? - By Ellen Brown, Web of Debt Blog, February 10, 2015

Green Jobs and Just Transition:

• Solar Jobs Boom Makes Keystone XL Pipeline Look Like A Tinker Toy - By Tina Casey, Clean Technica, February 12, 2015
• Texas solar jobs increasing - By Ryan Honeywell, FuelFix, February 12, 2015

Global Anti-Capitalism:

• Can Bolivia Chart a Sustainable Path Away From Capitalism? - By Chris Williams and Marcela Olivera, Truthout, January 28, 2015
• Naomi Klein on how to build a more kick-ass climate movement - By Staff, Grist, February 10, 2015
• Photos: Coal strike in Poland intensifies - Al Jazeera, February 9, 2015
• Polish Farmers Blockade Motorways Across Country - La Via Campesina, February 10, 2015
• Syria’s Kurdish Revolution; the Anarchist Element & the Challenge of Solidarity - By Bill Weinberg, Fifth Estate, Spring 2015 [related] The No State Solution: Institutionalizing Libertarian Socialism in Kurdistan - By Alexander Kolokotronis, New Politics, November 2, 2014

An Injury to One is an Injury to All!:

• Rising Tide North America Statement of Solidarity with Anti-Fossil Fuel Activists in the Northwest - By Rising Tide North America, February 9, 2015

Other News:

• A City Where Everyone Works, There is No Police, and the Salary is 1200 Euros - Live Travel Enjoy, February 6, 2015
• Court denies appeal by worker who claimed fracking chemicals blinded him - By Matt Miller, The Patriot News, February 11, 2015
• The looming climate catastrophe - By Chris Williams, Socialist Worker, February 4, 2015
• Making occupational illness visible: a call for a coalition between scientists and workers - European Trade Union Institute, February 10, 2015
• Market no solution to climate catastrophe - By James Plested, Red Flag, January 29, 2015
• It May Not Be Making Headlines But That Doesn’t Mean It’s Over….Update on EBOLA [audio] - By Pattie Lockard, Nurse Talk Radio, February 10, 2015
• Oil ship explosion in Brazil kills three, union says - Associated Press, February 11, 2015

For more green news, please visit our news feeds section on ecology.iww.org; Twitter #IWWEUC

Compiled by x344543 - IWW Environmental Unionism Caucus, February 10, 2015

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are not the official position of the IWW (or even the IWW’s EUC) and do not necessarily represent the views of anyone but the author’s.

The following news items feature issues, discussions, campaigns, or information potentially relevant to green unionists:

Lead Stories:

• Register now for the Future of Railroads: Safety, Workers, Community & the Environment Conferences: Richmond, California (March 14, 2015) and Olympia, Washington (March 21, 2015) - railroadconference.org
• Demanding Respect for Worker Safety - by Leo Gerard, International President, USW, Huffington Post, February 9, 2015 [related] USW Web Petition: Safe Refineries Save Lives!
• Thousands of USW Oil Workers, Supporters Take Action in National Day of Action for Safe Refineries, Secure Jobs, and Healthy Communities - By Kate Aronoff, United Steelworkers Press Release, February 9, 2015

USW Refinery Workers Strike News:

• Carson’s Tesoro refinery one of 9 U.S. locations being picketed by United Steelworkers during strike - By Sandy Mazza, Daily Breeze, February 2, 2015
• Largest Steelworkers Strike in Decades Shows No Signs of Abating - By Kate Aronoff, Truthout, February 9, 2015
• Members from District 12 Rally on National Day of Action; Photos from Carson, CA., of the rally of members, their families and supporters for oil workers. Early crowd estimates set at 2,000 people - United Steel Workers Press Release, February 9, 2015
• Steelworkers rally at two local refineries to support strikers in other states - By Jane M. Von Bergen, Philadelphia Inquirer, February 7, 2015
• Two BP refineries join steelworkers’ strike; One BP plant is in Toledo; consumer worries could push gasoline higher - By David Koenig, Associated Press, February 9, 2015
• USW, Allies in Europe United in Fight for Safety at Oil Refineries; Striking Union Members Join Forces with Workers in UK, Netherlands - United Steel Workers Press Release, February 9, 2015
• USW Local 241 Members and their Families Rally in Support of National Oil Bargaining Policy Committee - By Jane M. Von Bergen, United Steel Workers Press Release, February 8, 2015
• United Steelworkers Widens Oil Refinery Strike - By Jane M. Von Bergen, Al Jazeera and Reuters, February 8, 2015

Rail Safety:

• CP Rail train conductor speaks out on her firing after Banff derailment - CBC News, February 9, 2015

Carbon Bubble:

• Baker Hughes to lay off 110, close plant in North Texas - By Collin Eaton, FuelFix, February 9, 2015

March for Real Climate Leadership:

• KPFA FM Livestream of the March for Real Climate Leadership in Oakland, California | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | - February 7, 2015

Other News:

• Environmental justice sought for people of color, poor; Symposium participants share stories, strategies of taking on big industry, agriculture - By Rona Kobell, Bay Journal, January 15, 2015
• Pink Is Not Green: Companies That Support Fighting Cancer Should Not Use Chemicals That Cause It - Annie Sartor, EcoWatch, February 9, 2015
• PA Gov. Wolf Issued 73 Fracking Permits in Two Weeks, On Pace for 7,300 in First Term - By Jane M. Von Bergen, Energy Justice Summer, February 9, 2015

For more green news, please visit our news feeds section on ecology.iww.org; Twitter #IWWEUC

Compiled by x344543 - IWW Environmental Unionism Caucus, February 9, 2015

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are not the official position of the IWW (or even the IWW’s EUC) and do not necessarily represent the views of anyone but the author’s.

The following news items feature issues, discussions, campaigns, or information potentially relevant to green unionists:

Lead Stories:

• Register now for the Future of Railroads: Safety, Workers, Community & the Environment Conferences: Richmond, California (March 14, 2015) and Olympia, Washington (March 21, 2015) - railroadconference.org

USW Refinery Workers Strike News:

• BP Cleanup Crews, Refinery Workers, Fenceline Communities and the Effects of API-Funded Science - By Karen Savage, Bridge the Gulf, February 6, 2015
• Building unions return to Kentucky refinery despite Steelworkers' Picketlines - By Jarrett Renshaw, Reuters, February 6, 2015
• CBE Supports Striking Refinery Workers - Communities for a Better Environment, February 7, 2015
• First Nationwide Oil Worker Strike In Decades Grows Even Bigger - By Ari Phillips, Think Progress, February 8, 2015
• Steelworkers strike extends to BP plants outside Texas - By LM Sixel, FuelFix, February 7, 2015
• Supporters join steelworkers on strike at Tesoro: Union leaders call for nationwide “Day of Action” as a sign of solidarity - By Evan Marczynski , Go Skagit, February 8, 2015
• Union says U.S. refinery strike widened; cites unfair labor practices - By Erwin Seba, Reuters, February 7, 2015
• US Oil-Worker Strike Reaches BP Plants With Talks on Hold - By Lynn DoanAngela and Greiling Keane, Bloomberg, February 6, 2015
• USW Oil Workers at BP Refineries in Indiana and Ohio Join Unfair Labor Practice Strike - By Lynne Hancock and Tony Montana, USW Press Release, February 7, 2015
• United Steelworkers rally in downtown Houston after rejecting Shell contract offer - By LM Sixel, FuelFix, February 6, 2015
• White House urges USW to strangle oil workers’ strike - By Jerry White and E.P. Bannon, World Socialist Website, February 6, 2015

Crude by Rail:

• CP Rail, Teamsters union tensions near boiling point; Latest fight involves union members training management to drive trains - By Kyle Bakx, CBC News, February 6, 2015
• Teamsters Membership Authorize Strike Action at CP - By Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, CNW, February 7, 2015

Carbon Bubble:

• Baker Hughes to close plant, cut 60 jobs in Louisiana - By Collin Eaton, FuelFix, February 6, 2015
• Siemens to cut 7,800 employees - By Collin Eaton, FuelFix, February 6, 2015
• The Oil Price Collapse Is Not Just Another Bust Cycle - By Michael T. Klare, The Nation, February 4, 2015

Green Jobs and Just Transition:

• Syriza can show ‘another energy is possible’ - By Sean Sweeney, Trade Unions for Energy Democracy, February 7, 2015

March for Real Climate Leadership:

• Anti-Fracking Protest Shuts Down California State Building, Street - Earth First! Newswire, February 6, 2015
• Anti-Fracking Activists Stage Direct Action in San Francisco, 12 Arrested - Rising Tide North America, February 6, 2015
• Californians March for Real Climate Leadership Against Fracking - Revolution News, February 7, 2015
• 'Game-Changing March for Climate' as Californians Rise Up Against Fracking; Thousands kick off protest to demand Governor Jerry Brown halt toxic drilling in stated - By Sarah Lazare, Common Dreams, February 7, 2015
• Protesters march in Oakland, push for Jerry Brown to ban fracking - By Victoria Colliver, San Francisco Chronicle, February 7, 2015

Other News

• Bulgarian anarcho-syndicalists protest railway cuts, privatization’ - By Karetelnik, Libcom.org, February 5, 2015

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