Ben Jealous, the executive director of the Sierra Club and former Maryland gubernatorial candidate, has taken a leave of absence from his position. This development follows a period of significant internal strife within the organization, particularly from the Progressive Workers Union, which represents Sierra Club employees. The union has criticized Jealous for his management style, including several rounds of layoffs and other labor disputes, arguing that his leadership has destabilized the nonprofit during a critical time for environmental advocacy.
Jonathon Berman, a spokesperson for the Sierra Club, confirmed Jealous’s leave but refrained from providing further details, describing the situation as a ‘personnel matter.’ The reasons behind Jealous’s leave and its duration remain unclear. In the interim, Loren Blackford, a veteran of the Sierra Club, has been appointed as acting executive director.
The Progressive Workers Union, through its president Erica Dodt, has publicly denounced the layoffs under Jealous’s tenure, accusing the executive team of expanding its size and salaries while cutting staff essential to the Sierra Club’s mission. This controversy unfolds as the organization faces external challenges, including the Trump administration’s rollback of environmental regulations and opposition to clean-energy projects.
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