“ExxonMobil, and all the companies before us, have sold this an untrue narrative that they act out of concern for their workers while simultaneously undermining them as is the case with the lockout in the Beaumont, TX refinery. We have evidence that their workers aren’t their primary concern in their business decisions regarding climate change.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09), member of the House Education and Labor Committee and green energy entrepreneur, joined the House Committee on Oversight and Reform's hearing to expose big oil's long-running, industry-wide campaign to spread disinformation about the role of fossil fuels in causing global warming. You can watch his remarks here or read an excerpt of his statement below:
"ExxonMobil, and all the companies before us, have sold this an untrue narrative that they act out of concern for their workers while simultaneously undermining them as is the case with the lockout in the Beaumont, TX refinery. We have evidence that their workers aren't their primary concern in their business decisions regarding climate change. As many members have referenced earlier, former Senior Lobbyist for ExxonMobil, Keith McCoy was caught on camera defending Exxon's early efforts to fight against climate science, stating ‘But there's nothing illegal about that. You know, we were looking out for our investments, we were looking out for our shareholders.' I don't see workers anywhere in that admission.
"And now, as these companies can no longer hide from their climate denialism and disinformation, they work behind the scenes to shift climate liability away from profit margins and onto the backs of their workers by refusing to give them a seat at the table or be clear about the long-term impacts that climate change has on their livelihoods.
"I am tired of oil industry-backed groups opposing efforts to address climate change in the name of ‘protecting good jobs and workers'. Let us remember that it was NOT the CEOs and big bosses of these companies that made oil refinery jobs good jobs. It was the work of unions and workers who fought for decades, and are still fighting, for these benefits. We can save life on Earth as we know it AND support our workers.
"I implore all the witnesses testifying today to give oil refinery workers a seat at the table, and I remain steadfast in my commitment to ensuring that workers are held harmless and supported in this transition, while corporate polluters pay for the climate disinformation they have peddled for decades."
Source:https://andylevin.house.gov/media/press-releases/watch-levin-advocates-workers-undermined-big-oil-executives
