Support the Friends of Labor of Laborers’ Local 332 “Coat Drive”
Donate a coat in good condition, so Laborers’ Local 332 can distribute these coats to the needy in homeless shelters throughout the city of Philadelphia! Come support the effort…drop off a coat in good condition at the Laborers’ Local 332 Union Hall on 1310 Wallace Street and help someone in need!
The “coat drive” deadline is Monday, November 25, 2013.
Thank You For Supporting Those Less Fortunate!
– Plumbers Local #690 Business Manager and PA. State Senate Candidate, John Kane, is the Featured Guest Speaker at the Launch of the PhillyLabor.com Business To Labor Networking event at the Iron Workers Local #401 union hall this Wednesday 11/20 from 6pm-8pm
John Kane, who has been the Business Manager of local #690 since 2007, is widely recognized throughout Philadelphia as a passionate advocate for his union’s members who is highly respected by his peers including fellow union leaders throughout the Philadelphia Building and Mechanical Trades.
As a candidate for Pennsylvania State Senator in the 26th Senatorial District, John Kane’s platform features commitments to school funding, standing up for women’s and worker’s rights, making big corporations pay their fair share of taxes and being a voice for working families in Pennsylvania.
The PhillyLabor.com Business to Labor Network (http://phillylabor.com/advertisenetworkpromote-your-business/) is an exclusive network of premium union and pro-union Businesses and Professionals committed to doing business with the Philadelphia area unions.
PhillyLabor.com “Business To Labor” Union Leader Meet and Greet Events are exclusive networking events that provide union and pro-union businesses and professionals in a plethora of industries with the unprecedented opportunity to meet face to face and network with Philadelphia area union leaders in a social, up close and personal atmosphere.
The Event is sponsored by the Injured Workers’ Advocacy Program (IWAP)
For additional information on the PhillyLabor.com Business To Labor Network and Meet and Greet Events, send inquiries to: info@phillylabor.com
By The PA. AFL-CIO
The Labor Movement in Northeast Pennsylvania turned up the heat on Dick Yuengling, the billionaire owner of Pottsville based D.G. Yuengling and son Inc., for supporting union busting right-to-work (for less) bills in Pennsylvania. Dick Yuengling recently said that “Pennsylvania would be better off as a right-to-work state” and that “Governor Corbett is a great man.”
His remarks are already costing his company lost sales and business, not only among union workers who heard the news, but also among other working families who don’t want to see more downward pressure on their wages by bad public policies that give more to the rich.
The right-to-work (for less) remark drew immediate condemnation from labor unions across Pennsylvania. On Saturday, November 9th, over 400 union members held a march and rallied on the steps of the Schuylkill County Courthouse in Pottsville, publicly rebuking Dick Yuengling for supporting union busting and economic policies that cut the wages and living standards of all workers.
News of the rally spread as far and wide as California. A news brief appeared in the LA Times. Liz Bettinger, a Schuylkill County native and staff representative for the United Steelworkers, said that the Pottsville area, with its very strong labor heritage, is a very good place to bring the argument. “We won’t let Dick Yuengling turn the clock back over 100 years to the days of the Molly Maguires,” she said.
The rally was sponsored by The Lehigh Valley Labor Council, The Northeastern Pennsylvania Area Labor Federation, The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, The Schuylkill County Building and Construction Trades Council, and The Schuylkill County Labor Council.
Source: http://www.paaflcio.org/?p=3090
By The Philly Public Record
– The legendary Kraft/Nabisco factory at the corner of Roosevelt Boulevard & Byberry Road may be closing. The sweet smells from this factory have enchanted the noses of Roosevelt Boulevard drivers and neighbors for years. Owners of the factory announced they were looking to close the plant and move the production to Mexico.
Elected officials have sprung into action to help save the plant. Sen. Stack, Reps. Brendan and KEVIN BOYLE, COUNCILMEN BRIAN O’NEILL and BOBBY HENON have asked for a meeting with the company, city, and state economic-development officials. Last week, JOHN LAZAR of Bakers & Confectionery Workers Union Local 492 and HANK McKAY of Local 6 joined the elected officials outside of the factory to urge state and city officials to help save the factory and the jobs of 300 workers at Mondelez Plant in N.E. Phila. Stack wants Governor’s Action Team to open negotiations aimed at saving plant.
Source: http://www.phillyrecord.com/2013/11/city-hall-sam-fighting-to-save-sweet-jobs/
By Jobs With Justice
– Recently, more than 50 Walmart associates and supporters were arrested in downtown Los Angeles in the largest civil disobedience in the company’s history. The protesters called on the company to end retaliation against workers that have spoken out for respect on the job, many of whom have been fired after participating in similar protests earlier this year.
The recent worker-led action is the first in a series of planned protests targeting the nation’s largest employer, Walmart, culminating on the biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday. For the second year in a row, members of OUR Walmart will be taking bold action to demand decent wages and respect on the job. On Black Friday, Jobs with Justice will join OUR Walmart members in actions at thousands of stores across the country.
Go to: http://www.jwj.org/blog/black-friday-walmart-workers-taking-action-biggest-shopping-day-year and sign up for a Black Friday protest near you and show your support for the courageous Walmart workers!
It is becoming more clear that the actions taken by workers since last year’s historic Black Friday strikes are having an impact on Walmart. Earlier this year, Walmart launched “The Real Walmart” ad campaign in an attempt to improve its image. The company recently responded to criticism about employee retention, hours, and opportunities for advancement by announcing it would make 25,000 promotions throughout its ranks, while failing to mention the rate of promotions was not an increase from 2012. Additionally, three Walmart board members targeted by activists to improve the company resigned this year. Walmart even ranked on a consumer survey list of “2013 Brands with the Worst Reputation.”
Despite their best efforts, the company is still recognized as the leading brand in the race-to-the-bottom business model that is driving down standards for everyone. CEO Bill Simon recently confirmed that more than half and as many as two-thirds of the company’s employees make less than $25,000 annually. Without a decent wage, employees of the world’s most profitable retailer often can’t feed their families, let alone afford rent, medication, or care for their loved ones. Taxpayers end up footing the bill when Walmart employees earning substandard wages and benefits are forced to rely on government assistance programs such as Food Stamps and Medicaid.
As the ranks of OUR Walmart keep growing, along with the rising tide of strikes by workers employed in fast food chains across the country, Jobs with Justice is committed to supporting low-wage workers demanding the freedom to earn a decent living.
Source: http://www.jwj.org/blog/black-friday-walmart-workers-taking-action-biggest-shopping-day-year
