 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Statement of Purpose: The Alliance, consisting of unions and companies, recognizes the significant societal and economic benefits provided by chlorine chemistry. The chlorine-related industries support millions of jobs worldwide and direct capital investment in the hundreds of billions of dollars. The Alliance also recognizes its responsibilities to ensure that the processes and products of the chlorine-related industries are safe for people and the environment. Therefore, the members of the Alliance believe that labor and management should work together, addressing health, safety and environmental concerns with the scientific community, to ensure that chlorine and products based on chlorine chemistry continue to provide jobs and numerous benefits to society. The Alliance resolves to undertake programs of education and advocacy regarding the responsible applications of chlorine chemistry. Chlorine and chlorine-based products are used to purify water and manufacture pharmaceuticals, plastics, paper, hospital products, agricultural chemicals, computer and electronic components, auto parts, steel, other metals and thousands of other beneficial products. Questions have been raised about possible health or environmental effects of some chlorinated chemical compounds. It is the position of the Alliance that these questions should be answered through sound scientific investigation with peer review. On this basis, modifications to specific processes or products would be made to protect jobs, worker health, communities and the environment. History In Brief: The Alliance for the Responsible Use of Chlorine Chemistry (ARCC) was formed in 1994 by eight unions and companies, and the Chlorine Chemistry Division (formerly the Chlorine Chemistry Council). The Alliance was conceived as a labor-management forum for the open exchange of information and opinion on issues affecting employment and investment in U.S. chlorine chemistry industries. The unions and companies that formed the ARCC adopted a Statement of Purpose, which continues to guide the Alliance today. Participation and Leadership: Today, ARCC participants include representatives from a number of unions and companies, and the Chlorine Chemistry Division of the American Chemistry Council. What We Do and Don't Do: The Alliance basically serves the need of union and company political directors to discuss developments and raise issues for consideration in an atmosphere of mutual respect. ARCC participants acknowledge an obligation to sit down together and speak frankly about common concerns. In considering policy, the Alliance strives to support sustainable approaches that balance industrial activity, employment, and continuous environmental progress. Obviously, unions and companies don't always agree. The Alliance does not operate a political action committee (PAC) nor does it engage in industrial relations. Participation in ARCC meetings does not imply blanket support for all positions taken by management or labor. The Alliance holds formal meetings quarterly or bi-annually and communicates joint labor-management positions to policy makers and other interested parties when there is broad agreement among the participants. What We Support: ARCC supports policies that reduce pollution without endangering good U.S. jobs and industries. The U.S. is the world leader in the transition to cleaner production technologies and practices. The ongoing challenge is to manage the transition in a way that does not unduly harm U.S. workers, beneficial investments in U.S. plant and equipment, or the availability of vital and cost-effective products to consumers. ARCC participants believe that pollution can be continuously reduced without shutting down or crippling America's chemical, energy, transportation, water treatment, metal, paper, cement, pharmaceutical, computer and electronics industries. All of these industries depend to a significant degree on modern chlorine chemistry to stay productive and competitive, and to provide the basic and high-tech products Americans depend on every day. Arkema
Group Building and
Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO Chlorine Chemistry Division of the American Chemistry Council Dow
Corning Corporation International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers International
Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers International
Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers
and Helpers International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers International
Paper Kimberly-Clark
Corporation Occidental
Chemical Corporation Olin
Corporation Sheet
Metal Workers' International Association United
Transportation Union
|
|