SBAC continues to fight for good jobs and clean air!

Published on October 15, 2020

Our partners in the Inland Empire continue to fight for “clean air as a human right, the end of ‘diesel-death zones,’ and secure jobs at livable wages.” This fight has become increasingly urgent as the impact of COVID-19 exacerbates existing health and safety concerns.

From the SBAC website: “San Bernardino International Airport has approved a 750,000 sq. ft. air cargo logistics center called Eastgate. Eastgate will be occupied by Amazon. A local coalition of residents organizing under the name “SB Airport Communities” is fighting for a community benefits agreement at Eastgate that guarantees good jobs for local residents and mitigation against air and noise pollution that the development will cause.” Residents are fighting for a “Community Benefits Agreement,” to learn more about their goals visit : https://sbairportcommunities.org/

The Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ) notes that “Inland Empire residents are exposed to some of the worst air pollution in the nation, which has led to increased respiratory conditions and cancer rates. As only 4 of 10 jobs pay a livable wage here, families find themselves living paycheck to paycheck and with no health safety net. With no strong health protections and weakened immune and lung capacity, families in environmental justice communities will be the most vulnerable to coronavirus. Our priority will be to provide resources to CCAEJ members severely impacted financially by COVID-19 and/or not eligible for government assistance due to their immigration status. Our communities can not afford to wait for federal and state assistance. WE MUST ACT NOW!” To donate to the CCAEJ COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund visit their website: https://www.ccaej.org/covid19-fund

To make a donation to the Warehouse Worker Resource Center to support workers fighting to improve jobs in Southern California’s growing logistics sector, visit the WWRC website: http://www.warehouseworkers.org/donate/

You can read about Amazon’s recent citations from OSHA for safety failures in its response to COVID-19 outbreaks here: http://www.warehouseworkers.org/donate/

Learn more about the issues warehouse workers face: Witnessing the Slow Violence of the Supply Chain