Eagles Fans Learn About Verizon Greed from Striking Workers, Union Allies
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Liz McElroy of the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO and AFL-CIO field communications staffer Nora Frederickson send us this report about a Verizon action in Philadelphia.
As 45,000 members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and Electrical Workers (IBEW) on the East Coast continue their strike against Verizon to maintain quality, middle-class jobs, union locals in southeastern Pennsylvania decided to take their message directly to the public – at the local ballgame.
More than 500 CWA Local 13000 and Local 13500 members and their allies showed up for the Philadelphia Eagles pre-season game at Lincoln Financial Field in South Philadelphia last night–not to tailgate but to educate Eagles fans about the real reasons behind their strike at Verizon.
Members of the local unions there as elsewhere in New England and south through Virginia, have been on strike since Sunday. Rather than reward the hard work of Verizon employees who have provided the quality service that earned the company more than $32.5 billion in revenue over the past three years, management continues to insist on cuts that total $1 billion. That’s about $20,000 per Verizon family. These workers have played by the rules—and now Verizon wants to break them. Read the rest of this entry »
Unique Philadelphia Monument Honors Workers
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A new monument, the Labor Monument: Philadelphia’s Tribute to the American Worker, was unveiled in a ceremony earlier this month at the city’s Elmwood Park. Created by artist John Kindness, the monument—seven table-top sized “work buttons” (see photo)—memorialize the contributions of labor nationwide and Philadelphia’s working-class history.
The Fairmont Park Art Association, which commissioned the work, said Kindness, son of a shipyard worker,
searched for a symbol that could represent laborers from all industries and discovered old metal work buttons. Regardless of trade or skill, early generations of laborers often wore the same denim uniforms; hence the term “blue-collar worker.” These uniforms were fastened with metal buttons, that bore a variety of slogans and symbols.
Photo Stream from One Nation
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| 5:30 a.m.: Pennsylvania Democratic Candidate for Governor Dan Onorato sends off four busloads of teachers from Pittsburgh to One Nation rally. | |
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| 8 a.m.: AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler joins members of IAM for a pre-rally with unemployed workers. |
Tens of thousands of union members from a dozen or more states are taking part in today’s One Nation events in Washington, D.C. Beginning with pre-dawn bus trips from places like Philadelphia and New York through closing events later this afternoon, we’ll post photos here as they come in. Also check out photos on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/aflcio
In Philadelphia, where 250 AFSCME members gathered before getting on buses to D.C., Philadelphia City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell thanked labor for being the “backbone of America.”
Blackwell was joined by Philadelphia Democratic Party leader Jonathan Saidel who who told the crowd to
“run, not walk, to the polls on Nov. 2.”
Saidel urged union members to spend the next four weeks talking to family, friends, neighbors andco-workers about the importance of voting this election.
“It’s your name on the ballot. You need to vote for yourself by voting for the candidates who will protect your jobs, your pensions, your healthcare, and your families.”
Stimulus Funds Creating Jobs
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Critics of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the stimulus package, often lump it in with the bailout of the banks. But the Recovery Act has nothing to do with Wall Street. It is putting people back to work on Main Street, by creating or saving millions of jobs.
A recent “ABC Evening News” report showed the legislation was behind 3,100 jobs in Philadelphia. The city’s Housing Authority is using its $127 million grant to rehab public housing, putting 3,000 people to work. A local window manufacturer hired 100 new employees to meet the demand for new windows for the public housing.
As Carl Greene, executive director of the Philadelphia Housing Authority, told ABC:
Without the stimulus money, 3,000 less people would have the opportunity to work.
14 California Unions Oppose Governor’s Attack on Wages—and More Bargaining News
Representing more than 230,000 California state workers, 14 unions are opposing Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s move to slash wages, and more news from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily, bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 1,200 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
WORK STOPPAGES AND ACTIONS
Multiple, State of California: Fourteen unions representing 230,000 state workers in California sent a joint letter to the State Senate and State Assembly, urging members to block a possible attempt by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to impose the federal minimum wage on state workers. The governor has threatened to cut state worker pay to the minimum wage should the Senate and Assembly not pass the state budget.
NFLPA, NFL: NFL players, including Kevin Mawae, president of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) on Wednesday lobbied Congress to help prevent a lockout by team owners in 2011 and limit the impact of a possible decision by the U.S. Supreme Court expanding the NFL’s antitrust immunity.
Philadelphia Transit Workers End Strike, and More Bargaining News
More than 5,100 members of the Transport Workers (TWU) ended their strike in Philadelphia this morning, and more news from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily, bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 1,200 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
NEGOTIATIONS
TWU, SEPTA: The six-day strike by Philadelphia transit workers is over. Transport Workers (TWU) Local 234 and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) reached a tentative agreement early this morning, in time to get trains and buses running for the morning commute. A ratification vote by TWU’s 5,100 members will be held in the next 10 days.
Court Halts Mandatory Furloughs for Hawaii State Workers, and More Bargaining News
Hawaii state workers won their battle against the governor’s proposals to mandate furloughs, and more updates here from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily, bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 1,100 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS
Multiple Unions, Hawaii: Hawaii state workers won their battle against the governor’s proposals to mandate furloughs when a Circuit Court judge ruled the governor does not have the authority to unilaterally order furloughs. Gov. Linda Lingle (R) had ordered state workers to take three furlough days a month for two years starting this month. The governor did not indicate whether she would continue to defend her furlough plans in court. The workers are represented by multiple unions that include Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA-AFSCME), United Public Workers (UPW-Ind.) and Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA-NEA).
