Posted on August 27, 2009

Letters From Our Readers:

Healthy Jobs

Thank you, Times, for your excellent Aug. 20 editorial, "Ball in Chevron court," concerning the Richmond refinery.

As you so rightly point out, if Chevron contends it will not be refining heavier, dirtier crude oil, then it should have no objection to putting this in writing with a verifiable process to ensure compliance.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit — Communities for a Better Environment, Asian Pacific Environmental Network and West County Toxics Coalition — have stated, in their open letter to Chevron dated Aug. 10, that completing this simple step would protect our health and allow the project to continue, with workers getting back on the job right away.

I invite Chevron to respond affirmatively to this letter as soon as possible.

I also invite the hard working men and women in the Building Trades Council to join others in the labor movement who are advocating for healthy jobs by reminding Chevron that the ball is, indeed, in their court.

On Aug. 15, more than 500 people gathered and marched on the streets of Richmond calling for climate justice and insisting Richmond can have clean air and good jobs. Certainly, we need both.

Mayor Gayle McLaughlin