About Green Justice Coalition

The Green Justice Coalition (GJC) is a partnership of community-based building nonprofits and labor organizations, growing the power of working-class people and people of color in the Greater Boston area and beyond. We run strategic campaigns to achieve environmental and economic justice and a just transition to a sustainable economy.

The Impact of Green Justice Coalition

Energy Democracy and Grid Modernization

Today, we need an energy upgrade to make sure we can get clean energy to the places we live, work, and play. The process known as “electric grid modernization” means new sources of energy — like solar panels and wind turbines — and also new equipment, like wires, batteries, meters, and more. 

Grid modernization is good for the climate and our future. But too often, our energy system is controlled by people outside our neighborhoods, and the money we pay for utilities enriches big corporations while straining our household budgets.

As we rebuild the grid, our communities must have a real voice — and real benefits that improve daily life.

The Green Justice Coalition is fighting to increase community control over grid modernization. With energy democracy, we can create a brighter future in our neighborhoods and beyond.

Project Labor Agreements Now for Massachusetts (PLAN for Mass)

GJC is fighting to make sure Massachusetts builds the infrastructure we need to advance environmental and climate justice while also creating great career pathways for marginalized communities. We can do so by ensuring our public infrastructure projects are built with Project Labor Agreements (PLAs), which contractually support women and people of color entering careers in building trades unions and apprenticeship programs.

Public Transit Public Good

Public Transit Public Good is a partnership of transit workers and riders throughout Massachusetts, fighting for the future of a public transit system that is resource-efficient, safe, equitable, accessible, and affordable for all. Massachusetts needs the MBTA to provide safe and reliable transportation for riders, as well as safe, family-sustaining jobs with a voice for workers. Reinvigorating our public transit system will support good jobs and good mobility for working families, communities of color, and all of us in the MBTA region.

Research

Recent News

Victories

PLA Expansion in Massachusetts

In 2024, Governor Maura Healey signed an economic development bill authorizing the use of PLAs on state- and municipal-funded projects and signed an executive order promoting the use of PLAs by state agencies on large public works projects. PLAs ensure the triple win of good union jobs, greater equity, and the climate infrastructure our communities need.

 

The Green Justice Coalition mobilized members to sign our Triple Win Pledge, attend a rally on the State House steps, and talk with officials throughout the Healey Administration. We also witnessed Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley enter our report, Building Strong Careers and Lasting Infrastructure, into the Congressional Record!

MBTA Low-Income Fare Approved

In 2024, the MBTA Board voted unanimously in favor of the life-changing low-income fare program that will support riders who rely on public transit the most. This program extends discounted fares across all modes of transportation for individuals aged 26-64 who qualify based on income.

Fair Share Amendment Passed

Massachusetts voters passed the Fair Share Amendment when they voted Yes on Question 1 during the November 8, 2022, election. 

 

The Fair Share Amendment makes our tax system fairer by implementing a 4% tax on every dollar a taxpayer makes above $1 million in a year, generating more than $2 billion a year in new revenue to fund public education and transportation statewide! 

 

During the fight to pass the Fair Share Amendment, our Public Transit Public Good Coalition released a report showing how the MBTA can become safer and more equitable. 

MBTA Service Cuts Stopped

In the early chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, our Green Justice Coalition’s public transit partners moved quickly and successfully to stop the most harmful of the MBTA’s short-sighted service cuts that would impact essential workers and threaten the future operating capacity of the transit system.

 

MBTA Board members (formerly the Fiscal and Management Control Board) voted to restore bus and subway service to pre-pandemic levels, reinstate weekend commuter rail on lines on previously suspended lines, and resume ferry service! 

Riders and Workers Win Representation

In 2021, riders and workers won representation on the new MBTA Board. The rider representative must live in an environmental justice community, and the labor representative is selected from nominations by the Massachusetts AFL-CIO!

Leadership Team and Our Partners

Dwaign Tyndal, Alternatives for Community & Environment

Hessann Farooqi, Boston Climate Action Network

Nancy Luc, Building Pathways

Vivian WuWong, Chinese Progressive Association

Cindy Luppi, Cynthia Mendes, and Emma Weis, Clean Water Action

Susanna Bohme, Community Labor United

Brian Doherty and Chaton Green, Greater Boston Building Trades Unions

Darlene Lombos and Rachael Running, Greater Boston Labor Council

Reneé Dozier, IBEW Local 103

Dálida Rocha and Miles Gresham, Neighbor to Neighbor

Noemi Ramos and Angel Howell, New England Community Project

Shamaiah Turner, Sheet Metal Workers Local 17

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