WEC addresses conflicts between jobs and environment concerns through:

1.) Investigation and discussion of specific controversies with both labor and community or environmental organizations to determine whether a conflict may be resolved through dialogue and negotiation. In selected cases, WEC offers mediation services.

This training covers economic insecurity and the fears of working people about the lack of secure, good paying jobs and the serious nature of environmental and health problems and public support for a sustainable future. This training also discusses possible solutions, including proposed public policies. These include sustainable job creation approaches and "Just Transition" policies to compensate workers and communities impacted by environmental protection. (WEC also provides educational programs to unions and other organizations on occupational and environmental health.)

and/or environmental health. For example, at one understaffed and potentially explosive chemical plant, WEC is working with the union to build community support to force the company to maintain adequate staffing and skill levels. In Passaic County, a WEC campaign asks the top ten toxic air polluters to reduce emissions -- and to hire necessary environmental monitoring staff.

4.) Public advocacy for policies that bring worker and community constituencies

together and that help to resolve job versus environment conflicts. For example, WEC supports legislation and/or regulations to:

Assess the impact of downsizing on employee and neighborhood safety;

Expand worker and public right to know about toxic hazards;

Assure environmental and economic justice for communities hurt by disproportionate pollution;

Compensate workers and communities for economic losses caused by environmental protection policies;

Create environmentally sustainable jobs, such as in school construction and brownfields redevelopment.