In a show of union solidarity, a number of  labor organizations representing both public and private sector workers will be holding a joint news conference at the

Northeast corner of Philadelphia City Hall
at 12:00 pm tomorrow
Wednesday, March 13, 2013.

The purpose of the joint news conference will be to announce plans for actions to take place on Thursday, March 14 at Mayor Michael Nutter’s budget address before Philadelphia City Council.

AFSCME District Council 33 President Pete Matthews and AFSCME District Council 47 President Cathy Scott, John J. Dougherty Business Manager of IBEW Local 98, Bill Gault President of Firefighters IAFF Local 22, Pat Eiding President of the Philadelphia AFL-CIO, Pat Gillespie President of the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, as well as representatives of community groups will be calling for Mayor Nutter to address the settlement of fair contracts with City workers during his budget address.

All media are invited to attend.

Contact:        Frank Keel, 484-410-4932
Bob Wolper, 215-896-2970
Sources:    AFSCME District Councils 33and 47, IBEW Local 98, IAFF Local 22

Mayor Nutter will present his proposed City budget to City Council on Thursday, March 14th. Join us for a Week of Action to oppose his attacks on our neighbors who work hard to keep our city running!

Wednesday, March 13 — Press Conference at City Hall

On Wednesday, March 13, join us at the northeast corner of City Hall at 11:30 AM for a press conference supported by labor leaders and community members. We need to protect the important services that all of us depend on. We are calling on Mayor Nutter to fully fund our city services.

Thursday, March 14 — Mayor Nutter’s budget address

On Thursday, March 14, join us as we pack City Council Chambers to hear the Mayor’s budget address. We’ll stand with our neighbors and hold lawmakers accountable.  Let’s remind our lawmakers that it’s the vital work of our brothers and sisters that keep Philadelphia running.

– Bill Gault, President, IAFF Local 22, has lauded another court action favoring their contract efforts. He writes:

“Philadelphia’s 4,000 active and retired firefighters appreciate Common Pleas Court Judge Idee Fox’s recently issued Opinion in support of her Nov. 19, 2012 Order denying the Nutter administration’s petition to vacate our most recent Act 111 award.

“Judge Fox correctly stated neither the City nor PICA has the right to dictate terms to the Act 111 Panel, and that the Panel can deviate from the 5-Year Plan where appropriate and supported by evidence. The judge concluded that such evidence existed here, so there was no legal basis to vacate the award.

“To put it in layman’s terms, Judge Fox reaffirmed her prior ruling that our arbitration award was fair and affordable and must be honored by the City. Despite this latest legal setback for the Nutter administration, we fully expect them to continue to appeal our award in Commonwealth Court.  We — along with many others — are now waiting to see if Nutter does the fiscally responsible thing and carries our award in the 5-Year Budget Plan he’s presenting to City Council on Mar. 14.

“We’re not holding our breath on that one. We firefighters and paramedics will continue to protect people’s lives while this administration continues to shame itself on the national stage by denying us the fair contract we’ve earned and deserve. It’s disgraceful.”

“Words To Live By” – PhillyLabor.com

Pa. Liquor Privatization Opposition Tool Kit –  Help the UFCW Fight This Fight

Attention: Philadelphia Area Labor Community and Supporters:

Gov. Corbett’s proposal to privatize the Wine and Spirits stores will have serious negative social consequences for all communities in Pennsylvania and cause the loss of 5,000 decent, middle class, union jobs.

I am writing on behalf of UFCW Locals 1776 and 23 to ask that your union post information on your website to activate members and get them engaged in this battle with us.

We have created two versions of a Member Engagement Toolkit that you can use to educate and engage your members to oppose Gov. Corbett’s push to privatize Pennsylvania’s Wine and Spirits stores.

The online version of the PDF, which can be found here, can be downloaded and put on union websites and Facebook and/or Twitter pages. All of the links in the PDF are live. This PDF can also be attached to organizational and even personal email blasts.

If your space is limited, the “Take Action” button that you’ll find here can be “saved as a picture” on your computer. It can then be used on your website by adding a link to the image that will take you to the online version of the toolkit, which can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/UFCW-PA-toolkit.

The print version of the PDF, found here, can be downloaded and used in mailings or in printed newspapers sent out by your union. Because the links only work online, this version of the PDF has the URL printed on the bottom (which we have shortened, as shown above). This way, your members can type in the URL on their computers and have access to the online version and all of the links.

This toolkit was developed to make it easy for union members to get more information through active links to sources that are constantly refreshed. It will also make it easy for them to take action by contacting their PA State Representative or State Senator or Gov. Corbett to say they are opposed to the privatization of the PA Wine and Spirits stores.

You can help to stop Gov. Corbett’s move to privatize the PA Wine and Spirits stores by getting your members engaged and using this Toolkit.

Thank you for your support.
In Solidarity,

Bob Wolper
Strategic Communications Consultants Inc.
(cell) 215-896-2970