GWA on the move this spring!

In the last month, GWA has been busy taking action, developing member leadership, and growing our staff!

Last week, we joined allies from the United Ratepayers campaign to crash the Edison Electric Institute annual summit in Las Vegas. As top executives from U.S. investor-owned electric companies gathered at a glitzy hotel, we joined activists from across the nation to call for an end to rate hikes and increased use of renewable energy, the most affordable way to power our nation. As the CEO of Nevada Energy spoke, ratepayers demanded the utility cancel the daily demand charge, which is being imposed as Nevada residents face worsening struggles paying their utility bills. GWA leader Brittey Linton briefly spoke at the press conference. You can check out her remarks and some coverage of the action on our social media pages. We will continue to demand that utilities provide more renewable energy. This means jobs for GWA members and affordable energy for hard-pressed utility customers.

We continue to develop the skills of GWA members, with a new class of fellows recently beginning work. Solar workers Stephanie Holsinger from Ohio and LeKedric Simmons and Lerry Thomas from Mississippi joined GWA staff in DC on June 18-19 for an intense two-day training and strategizing session. During their fellowship, they will be speaking at the massive Labor Notes conference and helping develop a robust jobsite safety program, with guidance and mentorship from former fellows, that will deliver training and the concrete support workers in this industry need.

Top picture, GWA's newest fellows (from left to right) Stephanie Holsinger, LeKedric Simmons, and Lerry Thomas. Bottom picture, GWA leader Brittney Linton at the United Ratepayers press conference in Vegas. Picture on the right, Jennifer Eison, GWA's new organizer.

Finally, we’ve brought on a new team member to help scale our programs and support our growing activities. Jennifer Eison is our newest organizer. She brings over 10 years of experience in climate advocacy, grassroots organizing, and program management, and is based in North Carolina. Before transitioning to organizing, Jennifer served as an educator, teaching middle and high school English. She will be focused initially on working with our wind members across the nation and solar members in the South. We are excited for her to start laying the groundwork for campaign work in North Carolina and look forward to GWA’s expansion in the region.

Tough times in the renewable field are not stopping GWA. We are undaunted and moving forward. Thanks for your continued support, and stay tuned for updates from Labor Notes and other June activities!