The BlueGreen Alliance today announced The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) has joined its national partnership of labor unions and environmental organizations. The announcement comes at a vital time as the Biden administration and Congress are focusing on how investments in infrastructure will fuel America’s economic recovery, fight economic and racial injustice, and reduce the emissions driving climate change.

“IUPAT is one of the most active unions in the labor movement and their members are doing the work needed to build a clean, thriving, and equitable future for us all,” said BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director Jason Walsh. “The Biden administration and Congress need to get America’s economy back on track by creating millions of good, union jobs rebuilding and modernizing our infrastructure and retooling and rebuilding our manufacturing sector. IUPAT and its members know this and are joining their voice with ours to make sure our leaders deliver.”

“We can see that Congress is serious about investing in our infrastructure systems, but we must make sure those investments deliver good-paying, union jobs for workers and deliver environmental benefits for the communities where our members live and work,” said Kenneth E. Rigmaiden, General President of IUPAT. “We’re excited to join this partnership and to work together to build a better future for our members.”

IUPAT represents a growing force of more than 160,000 active and retired men and women in the United States and Canada. Their members work in the Finishing Trades as industrial and commercial painters, drywall finishers, wall coverers, glaziers, glass workers, floor covering installers, sign makers, display workers, convention and show decorators and in many more exciting occupations. IUPAT members’ skills are in high demand at every construction project in North America.

Founded in 2006 by the United Steelworkers (USW) and Sierra Club, the BlueGreen Alliance now unites labor unions and environmental organizations collectively representing millions of members and supporters. The BlueGreen Alliance is working to solve today’s environmental challenges in ways that will create and maintain good-paying jobs and build a clean, thriving, and equitable economy.

“Americans should never have to choose between good jobs and a clean environment. They can and must have both,” said USW International President Tom Conway. “Investing in our critical infrastructure and rebuilding our long-neglected supply chains will make our country more efficient and get Americans back to work in good paying, union jobs. We’re proud to have IUPAT join our ranks to help us in this fight.”

“Addressing the climate crisis is not only critical for the future of our humanity, but it is also an opportunity to create millions of good union jobs,” said Sierra Club Executive Director and co-chair of the BlueGreen Alliance Michael Brune. “We are thrilled to partner with the IUPAT as we continue to grow our movement to create an equitable, just, and livable future for all.”