Ben Jealous Takes Leave from Sierra Club Amid Union Disputes

Ben Jealous, the executive director of the Sierra Club and former Maryland gubernatorial candidate, has been placed on leave from his position at the national environmental advocacy group. This development follows a period of significant internal turmoil under Jealous' leadership, which began in early 2023. The Progressive Workers Union, representing Sierra Club employees, has been vocal in its criticism of Jealous, pointing to multiple rounds of layoffs and other labor disputes as evidence of mismanagement. The union contends that these actions have destabilized the nonprofit at a critical juncture, especially as the Trump administration rolls back environmental regulations and targets clean-energy initiatives.

Jonathon Berman, a spokesperson for the Sierra Club, acknowledged Jealous' leave but refrained from providing further details, labeling the situation a 'personnel matter.' The reasons behind Jealous' leave and its duration remain unspecified. In the interim, Loren Blackford, a veteran of the Sierra Club, has been appointed as acting executive director, as announced in an email to staff by Michael Parrish, the club's chief operating officer.

The Progressive Workers Union, led by president Erica Dodt, has expressed concerns over the recent layoffs, accusing Jealous' executive team of expanding its size and increasing salaries while cutting staff deemed essential to the Sierra Club's mission. Dodt's remarks highlight the growing tension between the union and the Sierra Club's leadership, underscoring the challenges facing the organization as it navigates these internal and external pressures.