New York’s thousands of buildings pose a major challenge to greening the city.  Sixty-six percent of our energy use comes from buildings as does 77% of the greenhouse gases we produce, much more than any U.S. city. 

The Mayor and the President have made going green a top priority -- not just for the environment but to get people back to work.  Green jobs offer a fresh source of employment, but these jobs require special skills and relying on companies to provide training will take time and is too piece-meal to succeed. An industry-wide effort by labor and management is needed to provide workers with the skills they require.

In the real estate industry, 32BJ is working with building owners and managers to train workers in energy efficiency. Green Buildings, a joint initiative between 32BJ and the Realty Advisory Board, is giving superintendents, porters and other building maintenance workers the skills they need to help New York go green.  Many workers have already been trained by this initiative and if all goes according to plan, a thousand more could be trained in a year.

One building worker, John Sarich, cut energy bills by 20 percent at his building by making small, but effective changes. John’s story can be the norm rather than the exception if Green Buildings is expanded. Greening our buildings, which saves money, protects the environment and makes for good jobs, is within our reach and with a little help from the state and city, we can make a big impact on our city.

Mike Fishman
President, 32BJ SEIU