By Andrew Staub

– Gov. Tom Corbett didn’t say much about so-called paycheck protection legislation, but what he said this week held plenty of weight.

Pennsylvania’s Republican governor said that should the legislation barring the automatic deduction of union dues from a public employee’s paycheck reach his desk, he would sign it. Beyond that, his brief remarks noted the divisive feelings about the proposal.

“There is a desire on the part of many to do that; there is a desire on the part of many to block that,” he said while answering reporters’ questions Wednesday.

Two bills addressing the issue — one in the state House and one in the state Senate — haven’t come up for a vote yet, but they’ve already set off a wave of debate.

Proponents of the bill say they don’t like the idea of government collecting money for unions, which often find themselves in the middle of political battles.

Union leaders from the public and private sector have joined forces against the proposed legislation, describing it as an attempt to bust organized labor. David Fillman, executive director of the AFSCME Council 13, called it a “vindictive” move.

Corbett said he would talk to parties on both sides of the issue and see whether leaders in the General Assembly have the votes to push through the legislation.

State Sen. John Eichelberger, R-Blair, is the prime sponsor of the bill in the Senate, while state Rep. Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, is leading the push in the House.

The situation will likely only intensify next week, when the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO is scheduled to host a press conference in the state Capitol to address the legislation.

Source: http://paindependent.com/2014/01/corbett-says-hed-sign-bill-ending-deduction-of-union-dues/

– Steamfitters Local #420 Business Manager, Anthony Gallagher will be the featured guest speaker at the upcoming PhillyLabor.com Union Leader Meet and Greet Event hosted by the PhillyLabor.com Business to Labor Network on Wednesday 1/29 from 6-8 at Ironworkers Local #401.

Phillylabor.com Business To Labor Events are a concerted effort between PhillyLabor.com and the Philadelphia area pro-union business and Professional community to both connect and expand relationships between business and labor through a series of exclusive networking events featuring top area labor and pro-union professional/business leaders.

For additional information on PhillyLabor.com Business To Labor Network and upcoming events, contact us at: info@phillylabor.com

By The PA. AFL-CIO

– In April of 2013, we published a story on our website which focused on a fundraising letter sent out by the Commonwealth Foundation. The letter announced, and sought donations to support, a new campaign which they called “Project Goliath,” which promises to “finally take down” and “slay” labor unions in Pennsylvania.

In a surprisingly detailed and lengthy letter, the Commonwealth Foundation went on to explain their legislative strategy, modeled after recent campaigns in states like Michigan and Wisconsin. On Page 7 of their letter is where they show all of their cards on the so-called “Paycheck Protection” bills that they are currently pushing in the Pennsylvania House and Senate.

They state in this letter that the “overriding key” to their whole plan will be their ability to “starve the giant.” They go on to say “Of all the reforms Gov. Walker pursued in Wisconsin, this very tactic was the most important. So very early on, he sought a ban on the automatic dues deduction for public employees.” They claim this strategy succeeded beyond their “wildest imagination” in Wisconsin, and they believe that a similar approach in Pennsylvania will leave public sector unions unable to advocate on behalf of their members. “Obviously, we must do the same thing here!” They conclude.

This is their means to an end, and they spell out in clear terms how this victory would lead to the success of future legislation to eliminate pensions and prevailing wage laws, to decimate public schools through unregulated school choice, and ultimately to take away workers rights to collective bargaining altogether.

It’s time to send a message to our Governor and our Legislature in Pennsylvania. It’s time to remind them that while the Commonwealth Foundation’s donors are secret, their motives are not. It’s time to remind them that the workers who will be hurt by this legislation are our first responders and our teachers. They are our nurses, utility workers, bus drivers and countless others who dedicate their lives to public service; and they are hundreds of thousands of workers in the private sector whose labor drives Pennsylvania’s economy.
E-mail Your Legislators AND Governor Corbett NOW at: http://act.aflcio.org/c/236/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=7788

Tell them to reject the lobbying of out-of-state billionaires, and stand up for our Pennsylvania workers by OPPOSING HB 1507 and SB 1034.

Source: http://www.paaflcio.org/?p=3390

In the midst of yet another snow covered day this winter and trying to think of things to do? Why not take a few minutes of your time to help maintain our standards of living, our jobs as we know them and our rights to collective bargaining by taking just a few minutes of your time to read below and TAKE ACTION. THEN, after you have made a difference in your future and the futures of the working families throughout Philadelphia and all of Pennsylvania, go have fun in the snow or stay inside and enjoy some hot chocolate knowing that you said “NO” To Right To Work in PA!

From the PA. AFL-CIO

In 2013, union members in Pennsylvania stood together to defeat some of the most direct attacks we have ever faced. Repeated efforts to privatize public services, destroy retirement security, and gut prevailing wage laws were held back.

Now, in an election year with everything at stake, huge money interests from outside of Pennsylvania are putting everything they have into making our Commonwealth the next “Right to Work” state. Their aim is clear, to bankrupt unions so that there will no longer be any organized opposition to the blatant attacks on working families that they plan.

Go To: http://act.aflcio.org/c/236/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=7734 and E-Mail Your State Legislators Now! Tell Them NO WAY On HB 1507!

House Bill 1507 is what ALEC and the Koch brothers call a “Paycheck Protection” bill. They have already been targeting direct mail into the state to spread lies in support of this bill, claiming that taxpayers are paying for union dues collection for public employees, and that teachers and state workers are forced to contribute to political and legislative activism.

The facts are clear, even though you won’t hear them in the commercials that the Koch brothers are financing. Automatic payroll deduction of dues is not mandated by any law, rather it is bargained for during contract negotiations. This deduction does not cost taxpayers money. Unions already agreed to reimburse the state for costs associated with deductions of PAC funds, but according to the State of Pennsylvania, there is no measurable cost to be reimbursed.

While the reasons that the other side gives for pushing this legislation are dishonest, their true goal is obvious. It’s simple. This legislation would force unions to spend resources to collect union dues, and make it nearly impossible to collect the fair share fees that non-members must pay to cover their union representation. At the end of the day that means unions will be weakened, and have less ability to advocate for employees in the workplace and in the legislature. This would open the flood gates for a wide range of anti-worker legislation that would be sure to follow.

There is no doubt that the passage of HB 1507 would mean that Pennsylvania would become the next right to work state. Don’t be silent on this issue. We expect this bill to move very quickly, with significant resources flooding into Pennsylvania to back this latest attack on the middle class.

AGAIN, Go To: http://act.aflcio.org/c/236/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=7734 and E-Mail Your State Legislators Now! Tell Them NO WAY On HB 1507!

Source: http://www.paaflcio.org/?p=3357