By the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO via Public Citizen Press Room

– Secret documents publicized by wikileaks on Wednesday demonstrated that unions, consumer organizations, and grassroots groups have been right to oppose fast-track authority for the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.

According to the leaked documents, the TPP would open the door for US firms to send thousands more jobs overseas to nations with cheaper labor markets and worse environmental and labor standards. It would also empower thousands of foreign companies to bring actions in secret courts that could cancel basic regulations such as wage and hour laws, workplace safety standards, and pollution controls.

Call Congress now at 1-855-712-8441 and tell your elected officials to say NO to fast track and to the TPP!

Source: http://www.citizen.org/pressroom/pressroomredirect.cfm?ID=5454

By the Philadelphia Council AFL0CIO

– On April 15, fast food workers across the country will take to the streets to demand a living wage, safe working conditions, and the right to organize a union without interference. Join them for a major rally at 3:00 PM at Broad and Arch in Philadelphia.
Fight for $15 rally

When – Wednesday, April 15 at 3:00 PM

Where – Broad and Arch Streets, Philadelphia

For information about how to participate throughout the day, contact mobilize@philaflcio.org

Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO

Modern transportation and transit systems are essential for a healthy economy and a livable region. Federal funding is essential to build and maintain those systems. But a huge portion of federal transportation and transit funding is scheduled to expire on May 31st, unless Congress acts.

On Thursday, April 9th tens of thousands of people across the country will participate in Stand Up 4 Transportation, urging Congress to pass legislation to fund our transit and transportation needs. Join us in Philadelphia as a broad coalition of organizations, including the Philadelphia AFL-CIO, the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and many others stand together to call for public investment in our infrastructure.

What – Stand Up 4 Transportation Rally

When – Thursday, April 9, 9:00 AM

Where – Dilworth Plaza, West Side of City Hall, Philadelphia

By The PA. AFL-CIO

– After a hard fought campaign between two quality candidates, The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO would like to congratulate Martina White on her victory this evening, as she was elected to fill the vacancy in the 170th legislative district in Northeast Philadelphia. The surprisingly high turnout for a late-March special election can likely be credited to the hard work that was done on the ground by both candidates, and by labor unions on both sides of the contest.

“At just 26 years old, Martina White ran an impressive campaign, and obviously won the support of many Democratic voters in the 170th district,” Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Rick Bloomingdale said. “The fact that both candidates had significant support from organized labor was not the result of a division in the labor movement, but was rather a sign of the appeal that both candidates brought to the table.”

“We look forward to working with Representative White on a variety of important issues facing the Commonwealth,” added PA AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Frank Snyder. “White has been a vocal supporter of workers’ rights on the campaign trail, and we expect that she will be a partner to improving education and employment opportunities in Philadelphia.”

Martina White will fill the vacancy created when former State Rep. Brendan Boyle was elected to the US Congress in the 13th District.

Source: http://www.paaflcio.org/?p=5863

From The Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO

– While much of the Internet this week was focused on escaped llamas, figuring out what color a dress is or mourning the loss of SAG-AFTRA member and Star Trek icon Leonard Nimoy, we can forget that legislation is still being pushed that would make the lives of working families worse. Whether it is the “right to work” policies pushed by the allies of Gov. Scott Walker (Wis.), who likes to compare workers to terrorists, and in other states like New Mexico and West Virginia, or the ongoing negotiations for a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) using the Fast Track process, we need to stay alert.

If you’re not sure what Fast Track is, check out the video above where AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka explains it quite simply. If you need a more in-depth primer, the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) provides one. Meanwhile, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) is holding meetings across the country to try to convince members of Congress that Fast Track is wrong for the country. And the more we look at what TPP might turn out to be, we find out that it has elements like Investor-State Dispute Settlement or that it won’t require potential members to comply with international labor rights.

If you think this doesn’t sound like what working families or America’s economy need right now, sign the AFL-CIO’s petition opposing Fast Track.

Source – http://www.pa.aflcio.org/philaflcio/index.cfm?action=article&articleID=870703D5-AECF-44ED-A179-1637C51A65BB