– BREAKING NEWS RELEASE –

ARDMORE, PA — Today, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America – Metropolitan Regional Council of Philadelphia & Vicinity resumed picketing at the iconic Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, PA. The new protest in response to the United States Golf Association’s (USGA) failure to honor the terms of a month-old labor agreement between the Carpenters and the USGA for work at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, PA, site of the 2013 U.S. Open Golf Championship, (June 13-16). The Carpenters Union, along with the Stagehands Union, had previously picketed the USGA in April for its use of Mexican nationals to perform the lion’s share of the work for the U.S. Open. The sides reached an agreement in mid-April and the two unions had been working the site until this week, when the USGA abruptly informed the Carpenters Union that it had run out of money and the services of its members were no longer required.

“The USGA under-budgeted our scope of the work. They never included us in the budgeting process, they never shared the numbers with us, and now they’re saying they’re out of money, which is ludicrous. We’re talking about one of the biggest golf tournaments in the world,” said Ed Coryell, Business Manager of the Carpenters Union. “It’s not our fault that they under-budgeted and it’s not fair that we’re not being allowed to complete the work we were promised…and there’s a lot of work yet to be done.”

The Carpenters Union, in a spirit of good faith bargaining, willingly gave up its jurisdictional rights to do the work on bleachers, tents, carpeting and scaffolding in exchange for the carpentry work. Now, it appears that the Carpenters’ good faith was betrayed by the USGA.

“It looks like the original agreement was nothing more than an attempt to appease us and get us to take down the initial picket line,” Coryell continued. “When they sprung this little surprise on us this week, we asked if we could sit down at the negotiating table and work this out. We were told they were too busy and couldn’t meet with us until June 18th at the earliest, which is, of course, after the U.S. Open. We’re not going to stand for this shameful treatment, which is why we’re back on the picket line now and will remain there right through the tournament, unless and until they return to the negotiating table and bargain with us in good faith.”

More than 25 carpenters are currently manning three picket lines at Merion Golf Club, including the main entrance on Ardmore Avenue.

PRESS CONTACT: Frank Keel at 484 410 4932

UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS AND JOINERS OF AMERICA – METROPOLITAN REGIONAL COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA & VICINITY

BREAKING NEWS RELEASE

ARDMORE, PA — Today, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America – Metropolitan Regional Council of Philadelphia & Vicinity resumed picketing at the iconic Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, PA. The new protest in response to the United States Golf Association’s (USGA) failure to honor the terms of a month-old labor agreement between the Carpenters and the USGA for work at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, PA, site of the 2013 U.S. Open Golf Championship, (June 13-16). The Carpenters Union, along with the Stagehands Union, had previously picketed the USGA in April for its use of Mexican nationals to perform the lion’s share of the work for the U.S. Open. The sides reached an agreement in mid-April and the two unions had been working the site until this week, when the USGA abruptly informed the Carpenters Union that it had run out of money and the services of its members were no longer required.

“The USGA under-budgeted our scope of the work. They never included us in the budgeting process, they never shared the numbers with us, and now they’re saying they’re out of money, which is ludicrous. We’re talking about one of the biggest golf tournaments in the world,” said Ed Coryell, Business Manager of the Carpenters Union. “It’s not our fault that they under-budgeted and it’s not fair that we’re not being allowed to complete the work we were promised…and there’s a lot of work yet to be done.”

The Carpenters Union, in a spirit of good faith bargaining, willingly gave up its jurisdictional rights to do the work on bleachers, tents, carpeting and scaffolding in exchange for the carpentry work. Now, it appears that the Carpenters’ good faith was betrayed by the USGA.

“It looks like the original agreement was nothing more than an attempt to appease us and get us to take down the initial picket line,” Coryell continued. “When they sprung this little surprise on us this week, we asked if we could sit down at the negotiating table and work this out. We were told they were too busy and couldn’t meet with us until June 18th at the earliest, which is, of course, after the U.S. Open. We’re not going to stand for this shameful treatment, which is why we’re back on the picket line now and will remain there right through the tournament, unless and until they return to the negotiating table and bargain with us in good faith.”

More than 25 carpenters are currently manning three picket lines at Merion Golf Club, including the main entrance on Ardmore Avenue.

– KATHY MATHESON Associated Press –

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – May 30, 2013 (WPVI) — Education officials plan to vote on what critics are calling a “doomsday” budget, an austere proposal that would force city schools to open next fall without resources like assistant principals, guidance counselors, athletics and music programs.

Thousands of layoff notices could go out in early June if the School Reform Commission Thursday approves a spending plan of nearly $2.7 billion, which includes drastic cuts in order to close a $304 million deficit.

Teachers, parents, students and community members plan to mount a huge protest outside district headquarters before the commission’s meeting. Meanwhile, voices from the business and philanthropic sectors called on residents of the surrounding suburban counties to support public education in Philadelphia.

“If we let the education of our young people go down the drain, we’re in big, big trouble,” Stoneleigh Foundation Chairman Carole Haas Gravagno said at a news conference Wednesday. “It’s going to affect the businesses, it’s going to affect the cultural life of this city.”

The state’s largest district, which serves about 204,000 traditional and charter school students, has not been able to keep pace with rising costs despite closing more than 30 schools and cutting hundreds of central office workers. Expenses include pension and health care contributions, plus payments for increasing charter enrollment.

Commissioners are trying to avoid the cuts by asking for $60 million from the city, $120 million from the state and about $130 million from unions through contract concessions.

Teachers union president Jerry Jordan has said previously that givebacks are unlikely, noting his members already pay hundreds of dollars out of their own pockets for school supplies.

Republicans in Harrisburg unveiled a state budget proposal on Wednesday that included an increase in spending on K-12 education. But the final amount of aid earmarked for Philadelphia likely won’t be known for weeks.

Mayor Michael Nutter has proposed generating about $95 million for the district through higher taxes on alcoholic drinks, cigarettes and businesses. The plan requires City Council approval and enabling legislation from the state, and strong industry groups oppose the tax hikes.

A coalition comprising bar and restaurant owners, plus alcohol suppliers, brewers and distributors, is holding a rally and fundraiser to fight the proposed liquor tax on Thursday evening, even as school commissioners meet.

Still, the district was heartened by the new support from Gravagno and local philanthropist H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest, who was unable to attend Wednesday’s news conference. The cable TV mogul released a statement describing healthy schools as an economic imperative for the region.

“Strong students make for a strong labor force,” Lenfest said. “Major industries and businesses of all sizes depend on that when they locate here.”

Gravagno said while her foundation for underserved children funds fellowships, not organizations like the district, she is working with the philanthropic community to drum up more support.

After Gravagno’s remarks, district spokesman Fernando Gallard said it was important to hear “a voice that’s independent to the district saying, ‘Folks, wake up! This is so crucial.'”

“Now the entire community is coming together,” he said.

The district is required to vote on a budget by May 31. If the schools end up receiving extra funds from either the city or state, commissioners will reconvene to add back programs and/or positions.

(Copyright ©2013 WPVI-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

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