one bike, one child, one family at a time.”

Variety, is a children’s charity that provides children with disabilities unique programs, experiences, and equipment, so they may live life to the fullest. Variety’s latest initiative, which began in November of 2012, is called “My Bike”, which has captured the hearts and support of both the families of disabled children and the many labor unions
By The PA. AFL-CIO

……and union members who support this valuable program.

“My Bike” has already provided 900 adaptive bikes to disabled children in Western Pennsylvania. The program also is providing bikes to eligible families in West Virginia. Right now, there are 250 adaptive bikes available on a first come, first serve basis to disabled children, who are eligible in the 26 County service area in Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

There is no greater joy for a young child, whom before was unable to participate due to their disability, to be able to experience the freedom and the fun of riding a bike with friends and family. That is what these adaptive and customized bikes provide to the child and their families. These bikes are also a joy to parents and siblings and they also help improve health and fitness.

The “My Bike” slogan is: “Changing the lives of children with disabilities…., one bike, one child, one family at a time.” The news about this wonderful program continues to spread, but more people and more unions are needed to fulfill the needs out there.

The head of Variety, Charlie LaVallee, is asking us to help him in raising public awareness and to help in identifying more disabled and eligible children throughout Variety’s 26 Counties in Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Additional co-sponsors and individual supporters are also needed. It would be great if we could provide these bicycles to every eligible child with disabilities in Pennsylvania.

You can read more about how these bikes have changed the lives of disabled children along with their family and friends by visiting the web-site at: www.varietypittsburgh.org. Applications can also be obtained by going to http://www.varietypittsburgh.org/MyBikeProgram.asp or by calling the Variety Main Office at 724-933-0460 (Western Pa. applicants) or the Variety West Virginia Office at 304-216-0203 (West Virginia applicants).

Please help us spread the word and support this program which is changing the lives of disabled children and their families. Through our unions we do great things.

Source: http://www.paaflcio.org/?p=5741

By Jared Shelly, Philadelphia Business Journal and HOPE YEN, The Associated Press

– The Democratic National Committee once again visited Philadelphia. DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and other arrived Wednesday morning.

Here’s more:

A person familiar with the convention bid says the DNC group was greeted by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, two of the city’s biggest boosters.

Mayor Nutter lead a tour of the city’s convention venues and historical highlights, such as the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, to remind DNC officials why Philadelphia is the best choice in terms of logistics, hotel rooms, security and convention space, according to the person familiar with the plans.

Philadelphia boosters have emphasized their convention experience and space with the Wells Fargo Center and the recently expanded Philadelphia Convention Center. The city hosted the Republican National Convention in 2000. Officials say they’ll be able to handle the $55 million to $60 million price tag.

Late last week, Wasserman Schultz announced that the convention will take place the week of July 25, 2016.

Philadelphia, New York and Columbus, Ohio are the final three contenders to host the DNC convention.

Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/morning_roundup/2015/01/dnc-committee-visits-philadelphia-again-as.html

Additional Source: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20150128_ap_44f4ff021b7e4357a02c478d49c565ac.html

1/28 – Today’s Featured Guests on Today In PhillyLabor Radio are City Councilman Bill Greenlee, Laura Wentz, President Philly CLUW,
Marianne Bellesorte, PathWays PA and the Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces, Kathy Black, AFSCME DC 47 & Treasurer Philly CLUW and Diane Mohney, PFT 3, Retired.

Featured Topics – Paid Sick Days and Pregnant Workers Act.

Tune in to WWDB 860 AM (or listen online at http://wwdbam.com/streamer/) from Noon to 2pm and See What All The Talk Is About!

BY Kevin Solari

– In his State of the Union address last week, President Obama outlined a plan to bring America in line with the rest of the industrialized world and provide paid sick and family leave for workers. Before the address, he had issued a memorandum granting federal employees six weeks of paid sick leave for the birth of a child and asked Congress to legislate another six weeks.

Although Obama’s measure only applies to employees of the federal government, he challenged Congress to address the issue on a national level.

“Today, we are the only advanced country on Earth that doesn’t guarantee paid sick leave or paid maternity leave to our workers,” the President said in his address. “And since paid sick leave won where it was on the ballot last November, let’s put it to a vote right here in Washington. Send me a bill that gives every worker in America the opportunity to earn seven days of paid sick leave. It’s the right thing to do.”

The President was referring to the Healthy Families Act, originally proposed by Senator Ted Kennedy in 2009, which would allow American citizens the chance to earn seven sick days a year. As of now, workers can use the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to take off 12 weeks for the birth of a child, to care for a family member or other medical issues. But this time is unpaid and, as the President said during his address, “that forces too many parents to make the gut-wrenching choice between a paycheck and a sick kid at home.”

On Monday, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D–New York) took the first step to expanding paid sick time by reintroducing the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act. The bill gives federal employees access to six weeks of paid parental leave. Mahoney has consistently introduce paid parental leave legislation since 2000.
Benefitting workers is not the only reason the Congress would want to pass the legislation. Government is competing with the private sector for top talent, and work life balance is consistently a top concern for younger workers.

“More and more private employers around the world are offering parents paid time off so they can take care of their newborns,” Richard G. Thissen, president of the National Active and Retirees Federal Employees Association, said. “As a result, federal agencies can’t compete with the private sector for talented younger workers who, if electing federal employment, would have to use accrued vacation or sick time, which may be only a few days, or forgo pay in order to take time off after the birth of a child.”

According to Thissen, more than 30 percent of federal employees will be eligible for retirement in the next three years, creating the need to make these positions as attractive as possible to those the agencies would want to hire.

The Office of Management and Budget has said the extra weeks of paid leave would cost $250 million and would fit within the current budget.

Currently Papua New Guinea, Oman and the U.S. are the only countries in the world that don’t guarantee paid sick leave for workers.

Source: http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/17579/paid_sick_leave

By Tom MacDonald

– Philadelphia City Council will again take up the issue of paid sick leave for workers at a hearing Tuesday. And, after several go-rounds, the bill’s sponsor isn’t willing the water the legislation down any further.

Mayor Michael Nutter wants any law to apply only to employers with 15 or more workers. Councilman Bill Greenlee’s bill, however, calls for a 10-employee standard, and he’s not budging.

“We’ve already modified it, we’ve gone from five to 10, and we aren’t going any further,” Greenlee said. “Ten has been sort of the max in the bills that have been established around the country over the last couple of years.”

Should the mayor again veto the legislation, Greenlee said he’s ready with reinforcements.

“I will go for the override, and we will override if we have to,” he said, adding that he has at least 12 votes for an override. He said support is building for the bill.

Source – http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/homepage-feature/item/77663-councilman-ready-for-override-if-nutter-vetoes-philly-sick-leave-bill?linktype=hp_impact