By The Philly Public Record

– A motion picture showing many construction violations have been passed over by the City’s Dept. of Licenses & Inspections at the Post Brothers’ Goldtex Apartments, 12th & Wood Streets, was released yesterday to a huge audience of labor and political leaders and building-industry safety specialists.

Launched at IBEW Local 98, the film was titled Deconstructing Post Brothers: Exposing the Truth Behind the Cheap Façade.

The documentary exposes the economic abuse Post Brothers is heaping on its workers by paying them sub-standard wages with no benefits and knowingly misclassifying them as “1099″ workers —independent contractors — to avoid paying federal income and payroll taxes, as well as Workers Compensation, Unemployment Compensation and other city, state and federal taxes.

The documentary is being sent to city, state and federal elected officials and available to others involved in the financing of the Goldtex Apartments.

Post Brothers’ principals Michael and Matthew Pestronk appear in the documentary to have the support of the Nutter Administration, charging L&I inspectors allowed Post Brothers to operate at the Goldtex site for an entire year without any permits and with no inspections performed.

Source – http://www.phillyrecord.com/2013/10/labor-documentary-exposes-goldtex-project/

By The Philly Public Record

– The last day to register to vote for the Nov. 5, 2013 General Municipal Election is Monday, Oct. 7, 2013. We need everyone’s assistance in Philadelphia to spread this word.

The Philadelphia City Commissioners have just completed a new website “Philadelphiavotes.com” where Philadelphians can get valuable information about local politics and elections.

It is time to break the bad habit that over 850,000 of our fellow Philadelphians displayed when they did not come out and vote in the Primary in May. “When Philadelphia votes in every election, elected officials pay attention,” Commissioner Stephanie Singer reminds us.

Source: http://www.phillyrecord.com/2013/10/register-to-vote-deadline-is-this-coming-monday-oct-7/

PHILLYLABOR.COM EDITORIAL: Attention: Philadelphia Area Union Members/Families, As per above, please get the word out to all of our fellow Philadelphia area union brothers, sisters and families that the deadline to register to vote for the Nov. 5, 2013 General Municipal Election is this coming Monday Oct. 7.

Please remember that the only thing standing in the way of right wing politicians passing anti-union legislation that will put us out of business is our collective ability to vote for and elect pro-union political candidates that support our union values and rights! Our vote is our life line!!!

By PhillyLabor.com

– Too many times people pass by a job site and see our old friend “Scabby The Rat” sitting out front accompanied by union workers picketing/demonstrating and holding signs and they automatically create a stereotype that the union members are making a spectacle or bullying an innocent employer.

Usually the general public responds in one of two ways to these types of scenarios: 1) they honk in support or 2) they yell obscenities or even insults at the union workers as if they are doing something wrong. The thing is that many people, who do not understand unions, make rash judgements without really knowing the full grasp of the situation. They just see the big rat and they react.

Having said that, it’s important for everyone to realize that, although not pretty, “Scabby The Rat” actually serves a deeper and bigger purpose than just creating a scene or a negative connotation. It is often a symbol that workers rights, standards and/or wages are being violated and, as shocking as it may appear, the public needs to be brought to attention and has a right to know about potential abuses that are going on in their community!

Thus, the next time you pass by a job site or establishment where there is a picket line or demonstration of this nature going on, there are 5 things you should consider when you see Scabby the Rat in the vicinity:

1) “Scabby the Rat” Appears at a location “ONLY” as a last resort after a true effort has been made by union representatives to negotiate a fair deal in good faith.

2) Many times there is a predatory employer taking advantage of and/or paying non-union employees sub standard wages on that job site

3) Often the wages paid out by predatory employers to their non-union workers on these job sites are so low that the workers themselves can not even afford to live in the community or city for which they are working.

4) The non-union workers, who are often working for less on these job sites, are also lowering and jeopardizing area working standards and conditions .

5) The union men and women who are walking the picket line and demonstrating next to Scabby are “NOT THUGS”. They are good, hard working, decent people who are simply standing up for workers rights and fair wages and standards that have been earned by generations of working men and women. THEY DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT, RESPECT AND ENCOURAGEMENT because they are not just out there for themselves, they are out there for all middle class Americans who deserve a fair shot at the American Dream!

By PhillyLabor.com

– Plumber’s Local #690, Business Manager, John I. Kane, a Candidate for Pennsylvania State Senator in the 26th Senatorial District which includes parts of Chester and Delaware Counties, who was recently endorsed by The Philadelphia Building Trades Council and the PHCC Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors of PA., (SEE BELOW), has introduced his platform which includes commitments to funding education, making large corporations pay their fair share of taxes, standing up for worker’s rights and the middle class and protecting women’s rights as follows:

ABOUT JOHN I. KANE

John Kane was raised and is raising his family in Delaware County, where he is a leader in his community. John knows the challenges that middle class families face, and has the experience to tackle them – a former apprentice who worked his way up to business manager of Plumbers Local 690 and member of the SEPTA board, John has negotiated contracts, navigated politics, and worked to make sure the voices of his members are heard, and is running to bring that experience to the State Senate.

From Harrisburg we have seen unprecedented attacks on the middle class, working families, women, and students. The only way to change this is to have proven leaders who can stand up for those whose voice needs to be heard.

Once Elected, John Will:

o Restore funding to schools across Pennsylvania,
o Make corporations pay their fair share by closing the Delaware loophole,
o Stand up for the rights of every worker to organize and fight for fair wages and a path to middle class,
o Protect women’s rights by leaving the decisions about women’s healthcare to women, not bureaucrats.

John Kane has worked tirelessly to protect our working families, keep our communities safe and healthy, and empower our youth. As a State Senator, he will continue to fight for the working class and achieve our shared vision of a better Pennsylvania.

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Recent Philadelphia Building Trades Endorsement:

Philadelphia Building Trades Endorse Plumbers Local 690, Business Manager, John I. Kane For Pa. State Senate

By PhillyLabor.com

– The Philadelphia Building Trades Council has endorsed, Plumber’s Local #690, Business Manager, John I. Kane for Pennsylvania State Senator in the 26th Senatorial District which includes parts of Chester and Delaware Counties.

Additionally, John has been endorsed by the PHCC Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors of PA., further demonstrating the respect he has earned within his professional community.

As supported by his union membership, if elected, Kane will maintain his position as business manager of the Plumber’s union thus giving working families throughout the Delaware Valley a true voice in Harrisburg.

“With John Kane in office, working people will always have a true voice and representative in Harrisburg who understands the challenges of working families and, who is committed everyday to working on their behalf” says, Joe Dougherty, Business Manager of Ironworkers Local #401. “Too many times, candidates running for office vow their support for working people during their campaign and then forget about us after they’re elected, if John Kane is elected, we won’t ever have to worry about that happening”, A vote for John Kane is a vote for all working men and women throughout Pennsylvania”. says Dougherty.

The Philadelphia Fire Fighters’ and Paramedics’ Union has planned a demonstration to express dissatisfaction with the actions of Commissioner Ayers and Mayor Michael Nutter for demoting 14 Fire Fighters who were previously promoted.

The city has once again elected to act as swiftly as possible to demote our brothers. We currently have an appeal pending in the Commonwealth Court, but without an order from the court, Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers will be unjustly demoting these members on Wednesday, October 2, 2013.

To add to their insult and indignation he plans on parading them through Fire Headquarters in an individual demotion ceremony beginning at 9 am.

Please join us on Wednesday 10/2 beginning a 9 am at 3rd and Springgarden St to show our support for our Firefighters and our dissatisfaction with the actions of Commissioner Ayers and Mayor Michael Nutter.

Fraternally,

Joe Schulle