WASHINGTON, DC (APRIL 23, 2021) – Today the White House Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization released initial plans regarding economic support for coal communities. Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), AFL-CIO President James Slevin today released the following statement in reaction to the report:
“The policy framework is a good first step towards delivering the resources coal communities require now and over the next several years. We are especially encouraged by the administration’s request of $40 billion for a dislocated workers program. This kind of investment is vital for individuals who lost jobs through no fault of their own to prepare for new family-supporting careers in whichever industries they choose.
“For decades, the coal industry has simply locked its doors on our members and forgotten them. We can do better than this. The work of taking this framework from concept to reality cannot begin soon enough. We look forward to joining forces with Brian Anderson and the full working group to offer additional detail on how this framework can further assist individual workers and to advance intentional, robust, and sustained investments in coal workers, their families, and their communities.”
###
Chartered in 1945, the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), AFL-CIO represents around 50,000 active members employed in America’s utility sectors including the electric, gas, water, and related professional and service industries. James Slevin is the UWUA’s National President. For more information visit https://uwua.net.