Ask AFSCME DC’s #33 & #47, the Philadelphia Fire Fighters’ Union and the Philadelphia Police Department/FOP — is there any city union or just any union in this city that Mayor Nutter doesn’t have a problem with?

Here’s a little advice in case he’s wondering. If the Mayor doesn’t want large crowds showing up at City Hall and interrupting his speeches, he should try working with people instead of against them. Being at odds with one or two organizations in the course of a four year term is typical, but all four organizations on a constant basis? Well then, it brings up the question that is on everyone’s mind: Why Does Mayor Nutter Hate Unions So Much?

Is it because he’s against collective bargaining, or the 40-hour work week, fair wages or benefits or the other conditions that unions have achieved that have made them the voice of the middle class in America?

Is it because he didn’t get union support during his initial mayoral campaign as area unions split their vote among several other of the candidates and the Mayor walked on in under the union community’s radar?

Here we have a lame duck Democratic mayor in a largely Democratic city who doesn’t have to worry about re-election or setting the table for his party to ensure the next Mayor is a Democrat, so what does he really have to lose, right?

Well, maybe the legacy of his administration, which will be over soon enough, thankfully, and which will go down in the minds of working families as one of the least popular in the history of Philadelphia.

Point of information to our Philadelphia area unions: unlike the first time Nutter won, the next time we have a mayoral election, let’s please unite in solidarity together to support the one candidate who best supports and respects our union standards before we get stuck with another nutter like this mutter!!

By PhillyLabor.com

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