On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, the US Department of Commerce finalized the GlobalFoundries’ (GF) CHIPS Act award of $1.5 billion to expand semiconductor factories in Essex Junction, Vermont and Malta, New York. In exchange for public investment, GlobalFoundries commits to invest in workforce development, local communities, and “environmentally responsible” manufacturing. Check out how GF’s environmental commitments compare to our recommendations in the chart below.
CCU appreciates the environmental commitments contained in GF’s contract with the Commerce Department. In response to advocacy from local communities, environmental advocates, and CCU, the administration is requiring the company to commit to renewable energy and containment of toxics in return for public money. But in order to ensure environmental protection, we call for stronger transparency, public accountability, and clear government oversight.
While GF’s environmental commitments are promising, the workforce commitments CCU calls for are mostly absent. The contract does not specify how many jobs the company will create or the wages workers will earn. It does not require the company to allow workers to join a union, if they choose. Residents of Malta, New York and Essex Junction, Vermont deserve to know how public funds are spent, and workers deserve to know what commitments were made about their jobs.
