Climate Jobs Voices

Climate Jobs Voices brings you the firsthand accounts of union members who are leading the charge on pro-worker climate action in their communities.

Allegra W.

Allegra lives in Texas and is a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 716. She is a construction worker and is currently working on Cottonwood Bayou Solar, a 350-megawatt solar project.

Jeff W.

Jeff lives in Illinois and has been a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 146 for 27 years. He’s an inside journeyman wireman and a mentor to apprentices. Jeff currently works on a solar farm with 300 other people.

Oronde H.

Oronde lives in Massachusetts and has been a member of Ironworkers Local 37 for nine years. He’s a technician and currently working on Vineyard Wind 1 and previously worked on Block Island Wind Farm.

Vennicia K.

Vennicia works in the construction industry as a laborer and owner of Eagle Eye Construction LLC. She lives in Rhode Island and is a member of Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 271.

Kimberly Tobias

Kimberly Tobias is an electrical apprentice in Manchester, Maine. She is a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1253.

Patricia “PJ” Shipman

Patricia “PJ” Shipman is a 3rd year electrical apprentice in Houston, Texas. She’s a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 716.

Kandice Rogers

Kandice Rogers is draftsman/sketcher in Long Island, New York. She’s a member of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART), Local 28.

Karen Moore

Karen Moore is a special education teacher in Illinois at the Harvey School District 152. She is an active member of the Harvey Education Association (HEA) and their state and national affiliates, the Illinois Education Association (IEA) and the National Education Association (NEA). She is on the Board of Directors and the Vice Chair of the Black Caucus in the NEA and sits on the State Board of the IEA.

Charles Vaughn

Charles Vaughn is a fourth year electrical apprentice and member of IBEW Local 716. He lives in Houston, Texas.

Jeff Morrissey

Jeff Morrissey is a member and vice president of the Bridgeport Education Association in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He’s been an English teacher in Bridgeport since 1998 and is involved in the local Carbon-Free and Healthy Schools campaign.

Maximo Decaba

Maximo Decaba is member of the Painters and Allied Trades, Local 195 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. He is an industrial painter and currently works performing preventative maintenance at the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority. Maxmino was a part of the crew that built the first wind turbine farm in the country, Block Island.

Manuel Antu

Manuel Antu is a member of CWA Local 6143 in San Antonio, Texas. He’s been a premises technician for almost a decade. Miguel is passionate about building a strong labor movement that fights for climate justice and expanding access to high-speed internet in low-income communities throughout Texas.

Kilton Webb

Kilton Webb is an electrician with IBEW Local 567 in Auburn, Maine. He recently finished his apprenticeship classes and will soon test to become a journeyman electrician.

Seanelle LeeSang

Seanelle Leesang

Seanelle Leesang is a middle school science teacher and UFT member in New York City.