PowerUp Canada executive director Tzeporah Berman's vocal opposition to the provincial New Democrats climate change plank has cost her organization the support of the United Steelworkers, Public Eye has learned.
PowerUp Canada's website highlighted the union as one of its backers. And, at publication time, it still featured this quote from the United Steelworkers' national director Ken Neumann: "We are committed to being part of this bold plan to take action to develop and use climate-safe technologies to reduce harmful emissions. Steelworkers know that investing in clean energy will provide the kind of permanent jobs that Canada needs right now."
Neumann explained the Steelworkers are "very much involved with the Blue Green Alliance in the U.S." - a coalition of labour unions and environmental organizations working to increase the number of green jobs south of the border. "And we're just launching the Blue Green Alliance in Canada. And we have a strategic alliance with Environmental Defence. And we recognize, as a labour organization, that green jobs and the environment go hand in hand."
As a result, in January, the Steelworkers signed on to support Berman's proposal to establish a Green Economy Action Fund – which calls for "federal investments and low-interest loans to stimulate the green economy and catalyze provincial action."
But, according to Neuman, "when this news story broke with regards to her position towards the NDP - our union has never been shy about where we stand as far as support, as a matter of fact we have five Steelworker candidates that are running as part of Carole James's team - we notified (Berman) that we're pulling our support from her and we've asked her to kindly remove our logo off of the Website she has up and running."
"The things she said is totally contrary to what we believe in. And she's an individual. I guess that's her opinion. But we have a different view of that. We support Carole James very much. And, as I said a moment ago, we've got five Steelworker candidates that are running on Carole's team."
Neumann said his union – which has not provided financial support to PowerUp Canada – has yet to received a response from Berman.
Sean Holman reports for Public Eye Online.
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DPL
3 years ago
Maybe Gordo will slip her a
Maybe Gordo will slip her a cheque or two so she can keep badmouthing the Opposition party.
Rod Smelser
3 years ago
What do you mean, "maybe"?
There are things everyone needs to remember. People need to service their mortgages and car loans. That's the bottom line, and it applies to environmental activists just as much as to any average working person.
Now that doesn't mean that the mortgages and car loans for the big name activists aren't somewhat grander in scale than for John and Jane Q. Public, it just means they need to be serviced all the same.
Skywalker
3 years ago
Maybe...
If Gordo wins he'll make her the Environmental Ombudsman. Scary eh?
Aurora
3 years ago
Interesting
This latest announcement by United Steelworkers illuminates further the powers at play with Berman's supposed recent strategic high-profile pronouncements. It feels more and more like she is making back-room deals here and from someone I had previously long admired, it really stinks. She is generating fractitiousness at a time when those of us with grave concerns about our public resources (what remain under this gov't) and the future of our public utilities would expect ALL truly concerned parties to remain united to overthrow the present government. I look forward to her reply to Mr. Neuman and the United Steelworkers. He and the rest of us are owed one - and more - for her serious misstep.
doggone
3 years ago
edge of the wedge
Good to hear!
Now I don't know whether to vote Green or NDP.
No Liberals need apply
North of Hope
3 years ago
doggone
Vote NDP and defeat the Liberals!
freebear
3 years ago
Steelworkers and quote dropped
Seems to be gone from the website now.