ATTENTION PHILADELPHIA AREA UNION COMMUNITY,
Philadelphia Area Unions Have Resumed Picketing The Post Brothers Construction Site at 12th and Wood Sts. in Center City Philadelphia Today for “Wages and Standards”
KEEPING YOU POSTED – We will keep you posted on this extremely important situation that’s outcome could literally jeopardize union standards throughout Philadelphia and Vicinity!
PhillyLabor.com
…..and doesn’t cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits.”
It’s almost hard to believe after such a lopsided defeat in the election, but Republicans in Congress are pushing for a “fiscal deal” that would extend the Bush tax cuts for the rich and slash Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid
benefits before the end of the year—and they might win.
They’ve fabricated a story that, somehow, our economy will fall apart if they don’t get what they want. It’s not true, but negotiations are underway and a “deal” could come together at any time.
This is a crucial moment—before a deal emerges—when we need our leaders to stand strong. Can you call your members of Congress and tell them:
“Don’t back any fiscal deal unless it lets the Bush tax cuts for the top 2% expire, as scheduled, on December 31 and doesn’t cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits.”
Here’s where to call:
Senator Robert Casey
Phone: (202) 224-6324
Senator Pat Toomey
Phone: (202) 224-4254
Representative Chaka Fattah
Phone: (202) 225-4001
Today, in addition to all our calls, tens of thousands of MoveOn members are dropping off letters at the local offices of every member of Congress. Every call helps amplify the message—and we need to make Congress understand that we won’t stand for a bad fiscal deal.
The truth is that nothing drastic will happen to our economy on January 1. The House can simply vote to extend tax cuts to 98% of Americans—as the Senate has already done. It’s that easy. The only reason there’s even a debate over cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits right now is that Republicans know they’ll lose all their leverage if the Bush tax cuts expire as scheduled.
The whole election was about whether the rich should pay their fair share or whether to give them more tax breaks and cut into our safety net—and WE won.
Can you call your members of Congress right now and tell them to stand up for the will of the American people?
Here are the numbers again:
Senator Robert Casey
Phone: (202) 224-6324
Senator Pat Toomey
Phone: (202) 224-4254
Representative Chaka Fattah
Phone: (202) 225-4001
Then, please report your call by clicking here:
http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSPA_1.FSPA_2.FHPA_02&cp_id=1847&id=58512-23232480-2EMlm_x&t=3
Thanks for all you do.
–Ilya, Robin, Mark, Victoria, and the rest of the team
P.S. New districts and newly-elected members of Congress don’t go into effect until January, so the information above is still current.
Dear Friends,
I wanted to take just a moment out of our hectic schedules today to wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
This has always been my favorite holiday, a simple, peaceful time to focus on the bonds of family and to give thanks for all of life’s blessings over a meal to end all meals.
I’m reminded at this time of year of those who are struggling, especially our friends and neighbors in the region whose lives and properties were devastated by Hurricane Sandy. I have seen the destruction firsthand and Local 98 is offering a helping hand to as many of these folks as possible. On this Thanksgiving Day, please offer up a prayer and a good thought for our fellow Americans who are still piecing their lives back together in the wake of Sandy.
It’s also been a tough few years for a lot of folks, as our national economy continues to struggle back to pre-recession normalcy. The good news is that there are some good signs that the economy is starting to bounce back and there’s a growing sense of optimism that the year 2013 will be a better one for all of us.
In that spirit of optimism and brotherhood, here’s wishing you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,
John J. Dougherty
Business Manager
IBEW Local 98
On this Thanksgiving, we would like to wish the entire Philadelphia area labor community and beyond a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving holiday!
We’d also like to keep in mind those less fortunate that they may overcome their circumstances and find solace in the true meaning of Thanksgiving!
In Solidarity,
Joe Dougherty
PhillyLabor.com
HARRISBURG, Nov. 20, 2012 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione is urging US Air to settle long-stalled contract talks with its current workers before closing a merger with American Airlines.
In a letter to Douglas Parker, CEO of US Airlines Group, Tartaglione said pursuing a merger before settling with its own workers would make it more difficult to reach long-term stability.
“If a merger between U.S. Airways and American Airlines comes to fruition, we worry that your current labor problems will be compounded, making the ratification of new U.S. Airways’ labor contracts even more unlikely,” Tartaglione wrote. “This will put further distance between your employees and the new contracts they both desire and deserve.”
Three principle unions at US Air have been working without a new contract since the airline’s 2005 merger with America West, a period that has brought the airline record profits. US Air stock doubled in price this year.
In pursuit of a merger with American Airlines, which would create the world’s largest air carrier, US Air reached preemptory labor agreements with three of American’s unions in April, while its current labor force continues to seek an agreement.
“It concerns us that you were able to swiftly negotiate with another airline’s unions, while at the same time neglecting the mounting labor issues within your own organization,” Tartaglione wrote. “This leads us to believe that you place more of a priority on a merger than on the wellbeing of your own employees.”
Tartaglione, the Democratic Chair of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee, was joined on the letter by state Rep. William Keller, the Democratic Chair of the House Labor and Industry Committee.
News outlets have reported that parties involved in a possible merger – the airlines, American’s creditors, and the unsecured creditor committee have met recently to negotiate the details.
US Air is a major employer in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to retain those jobs, including $264 million in lease concessions at Pittsburgh International Airport to help US Air emerge from bankruptcy in 2003.
