By The PA. AFL-CIO

– From the beginning of this legislative session, attacks on unions instead of policies that invest in jobs, raising wages, and economic growth have been the focus of those extreme conservatives in the legislature. This week the House Judiciary Committee reported out of committee House Bill 874 legislation making it more difficult for unions and their members to exercise their rights during strikes and organizing campaigns. We encourage you to tell your state representative to oppose this attack on workers’ rights.

Thanks to your meetings in their districts along with your phone calls and e-mails we have been able to stop Senate Bill 501 Paycheck Deception legislation from passing the Senate. The bill can be called up at any time if our opponents have the votes. Over the next few weeks be ready to TAKE ACTION on our request.

This week the Senate State Government Committee held public hearings on public employee and school employee pensions. Testifying on behalf of working families were Tom Herman, President of SEIU Local 668 and Steve Nickol of the PSEA. Legislation replacing good pensions – defined benefits pensions – with a less secure – defined contribution plan – for new hires and perhaps even current employees, is expected to be introduced early May by Senate Republican leaders. Be ready to TAKE ACTION.

And we are asking you to continue asking your State Legislators to support modernization of Pennsylvania Wine and Spirits. We support House Bill 228, introduced by State Representative Eugene DiGirolamo, which protects good jobs, further improves convenience for consumers, while generating additional revenue to help fund important programs and public services.

And ask your legislators to support Governor Wolf’s budget in its entirety.

Source: http://www.paaflcio.org/?p=5915

By The PA. AFL-CIO

– Congress just introduced a Fast Track bill that will allow massive trade deals to be negotiated behind closed doors. If Fast Track passes, it would virtually guarantee the passage of trade deals that will ship jobs overseas and sell out US workers for corporate profit.

Call your members of Congress and tell them to oppose Fast Track because it’s undemocratic and will drive down wages for workers like you.

Go to: http://act.aflcio.org/c/18/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=10098 and Fill out the form and the PA. AFL-CIO will call you, give you some brief instructions and then connect you to one of your members of Congress.

Source: http://act.aflcio.org/c/18/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=10098

By The PA. AFL-CIO

– Workers’ Memorial Day is observed every year on April 28. It is a day to honor those workers who have died on the job, to acknowledge the grievous suffering experienced by families and communities, and to recommit ourselves to the fight for safe and healthful workplaces for all workers.

It is also the day OSHA was established in 1971. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their workers. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.

Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Memorial Day observances are fast approaching. The PA. AFL-CIO has been working with our Central Labor Councils, Community Service Liaisons, and affiliates to assemble a list of observances and events around Pennsylvania. Use the URL below to view the events coming up, and find one near you so that you can participate.

If your union or organization is holding any type of event to commemorate this important day that is not currently on our list, please send the information to us as soon as possible, so we can help promote it.

Please participate in these events and show your support for safer jobs. Our fight will continue until every worker can go to work and return home safe and healthy at the end of the day.

Source: http://www.paaflcio.org/?p=5904

By Philly Jobs With Justice

– On Wednesday, April 14th, at 3:00 pm, Jobs with Justice, Philly Coalition of Labor Union Women, and SLAP @ Penn will be joining Fight for 15’s national day of action. We’ll join community members, fast food workers, clergy, and working families standing together to demand that fast food franchises pay their employees enough to live–at least $15 an hour.

McDonald’s is already feeling the pressure. Earlier this month, they tried to undermine the national day of action by enacting a slight, stingy pay raise–nowhere close to what these workers need. Let’s keep the fight hot and let these fast food corporations know that their workers deserve a living wage, not pocket change!

We need you out there with us! Here’s how to join:

• At 3 pm, we’ll rally at the McDonald’s at 40th and Walnut, one of the busiest McDonald’s franchises in the city.
• At 4 pm, we’ll start marching down Walnut towards the citywide convergence site at 30th & Market.
• If you can’t make it at 3 pm, you can still make the citywide convergence at 30th and Market; it’s set to begin at 4:30 pm.

Source – http://www.phillyjwj.org/blog/2015/04/415-national-day-action-fast-food-worker-justice

By UFCW 1776

– Some Republican legislators refuse to give up on liquor privatization. That is why we cannot afford to give up on the better/common-sense alternative: modernization.

Touch base with your legislator — let them know you are still paying attention the privatization debate and their stance on the issue. Remind them that modernization makes more sense for a number of reasons: convenience, jobs and much-needed revenue.

To Find who your legislator is and their contact information here, go to: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/#address

Source: http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Continue-the-push-for-modernization.html?soid=1112575112488&aid=gPPKEtX8HWA