Electric Vehicle Event: Megadeals or Resilience?

October 26, 2022

Join Us For A Discussion On How We Transition Equitably

Flyer for an event, "Electric Vehicles: Megadeals or Resiliency? It takes place October 31, 2022 at 1 p.m. ET. Panelist are from left to right, Greg LeRoy, Good Jobs First, Cindy Estrada, United Auto Workers, Sam Appel, BlueGreen Alliance, Brianna Bailey, The Oklahoma Frontier and Paola Rodelas, Jobs to Move America

The race to electrify America’s vehicle fleet is on — that’s the good news on climate-change solutions like clean-energy transportation.

But then there’s the troubling news: states and localities are giving billion-dollar factory subsidies to companies without the guarantee of good-paying jobs — sometimes to completely unproven companies — and often to companies that are non-union or anti-union. Auto parts jobs are at risk because EVs are far simpler mechanically, and Midwestern states are at risk of disinvestment.

Back to good news: many electric bus companies are signing union contracts and Community Benefits Agreements.

A panel of experts will talk about what is working, and what will help ensure we transition to a worker-centered economy.

When: Monday, Oct. 31, 2022 at 1 p.m.

Registration: Zoom

Who:

  • Cindy Estrada, vice president of the United Auto Workers, on organizing to ensure auto jobs are both family supporting and community building
  • Paola Rodelas, communications director for Jobs to Move America, on JMA’s agreement with major bus manufacturer New Flyer that couples high-paying jobs with advancement opportunities for historically disadvantaged communities
  • Sam Appel, California Manager with the BlueGreen Alliance, on joint environmental-labor work for a just transition in the transportation sector.
  • Brianna Bailey, managing editor for The Frontier, on Canoo’s mega-subsidy package in Oklahoma, and her reporting about how deals involving taxpayer money get approved, often out of public view
  • Greg LeRoy, executive director for Good Jobs First, on the shortcomings of record-breaking deals inked between states and EV companies – and how deals can be better structured to lift up workers and their communities

Register and bring your questions!

Read our just-released report: Will EVs Create Budget Potholes for States?”
Can’t make this time? Register and after the event, you’ll receive a link to view it at your convenience.

Good Jobs First is a national policy resource center based in Washington, DC that promotes corporate and government accountability in economic development.