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Category Archives: News

A Labor Day Message From John J. Dougherty, Business Manager, IBEW #98

– Dear Friends,

Just a quick note to wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy Labor Day weekend.

The landscape for labor is looking better every day, especially here in Philadelphia where unions are investing our pension dollars in the city’s growing skyline and new infrastructure.  A news item this week stated that Philly has the third highest number of new construction jobs in the nation.  We are back!

I also am delighted for our brothers and sisters in District Council 33 for finally securing a new and fair contract with the city. Now, thousands of union households can breathe a sigh of relief.  Kudos to Pete Matthews and Mayor Nutter for getting the deal done.

I’d also be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to thank our police officers and firefighters for keeping us safe 24/7.  I have said it before – the only thing older than the trees on my block are my neighbors.  I’ll never forget how the firefighters doused a bad blaze on my block a few years ago before it engulfed those old trees and houses.  They are our unsung heroes.

Also, please take a moment this weekend to remember our service men and women stationed around the world, many of whom are in combat zones.  Pray for their safe returns.

Finally, a little plug for America’s Union Workers.

YOUR hard work and long-term battles for economic justice gave us this 3-day weekend!  Unions built this great country and unions will continue to keep America strong!

Don’t forget about the Labor Day parade Monday all along Columbus Boulevard.  Stop down and say hello.  Happy Labor Day!

Sincerely,

John J. Dougherty
Business Manager
IBEW Local 98

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON LATEST ROUND OF SCHOOL DISTRICT LAYOFFS

– “The positions the district eliminated today illustrate the systematic erosion of a functional school system. In large urban settings like Philadelphia, these men and women are critical to providing support for our schoolchildren and their families.

“This is yet another example of how Harrisburg’s failure to provide sustainable public education funding continues to take a toll on our school district. Only a radical change in the way our schools are funded will reverse this devastating trend.”

Source: https://www.facebook.com/PhilaFedofTeachers/photos/a.218510488179036.68169.146726832024069/883493145014097/?type=1&theater

PoliticsPA: New poll shows Wolf dominating governor’s race

By Nick Field

– After a long summer of ads and attacks, the Governor’s race is almost exactly the same as it was roughly two months ago.The latest Franklin and Marshall poll was released today and it shows Tom Wolf holding a 49% to 24% lead over Gov. Tom Corbett. 25% of respondents were undecided.

This actually marks a small improvement for the Democratic candidate since June, when he held a 47-25 advantage.

Wolf’s lead holds throughout every age, income, religious, regional, racial, educational or gender status. Additionally he holds a 34 point lead among Independents (53-19) and a whopping 46 point advantage among moderates (59-13).

At least a partial explanation of these results can be found in the Governor’s approval ratings. Just 24%, less than one in four, of respondents feel Gov. Corbett is doing an “excellent” or “good” job as Governor. The GOP Governor holds just a 40% approval rating among Republicans. Even worse, only 26% feel he has done well enough to warrant re-election.

Meanwhile, 61% believe the state is “off on the wrong track.”

These results are particularly devastating for the Corbett-Cawley camp because they come after a period in which the Republican nominee unleashed far more ads than his opponent. They don’t seem to have done the Gov any good, in fact they may have been harmful.

F&M found 82% of respondents had seen a commercial for both candidates. They asked these people what the viewer recalled most from those ads. For Corbett’s spots, 27% remembered the negative tone. For Wolf’s spots, negativity finished third behind his business location and background.

Perhaps the best example of the Governor’s difficulties involves guns. Last week, the PA GOP made a big deal about a supposed gaffe from Wolf concerning gun owners. Yet the Democratic nominee leads even among this traditionally conservative group (40% to 36%).

Of course, there is still some time left and a large number of respondents are undecided. The possibility that every undecided voter will turn to Gov. Corbett, though, is quite remote. Currently, 24% of Republicans support Wolf and it would not be surprising to see that number come down as the faithful rally behind their candidate. The Democrat’s margin is still likely to narrow in the coming weeks and months. The Governor, however, must find a method to further chip away at his opponent’s lead and fast, or else he won’t hold that title much longer.

This poll surveyed 520 Pennsylvanians and was conducted from August 18 to 25. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.3%.

Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2014/08/28/politicspa-new-poll-shows-wolf-dominating.html

(This Article Was Also Featured at: http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2014/08/28/politicspa-new-poll-shows-wolf-dominating.html)

Pennsylvania AFL-CIO: Labor Day is Our Holiday, We’ve earned it!

– The Labor Day Holiday was created by labor unions as a day to recognize the achievements of working people and the value of work. Workers built this nation and are the foundation of our country’s strength and growth. The Labor Day Holiday is Our Holiday, We’ve Earned It!

On our holiday we will join together and renew our firm commitment in raising the wages and the living standards for all workers by supporting those workers who are fighting for a living wage and a union all across our nation. We stand together in support of decent wages and retirement security for all workers by restoring the bargaining strength for working men and women. This is how we will expand economic recovery, growth, and rebuild our middle class.

We also recognize the millions of workers who do not get this holiday off and the millions of immigrants who work in the shadows, brought here by their desire to contribute to our community. Our Labor Day Holiday is for all who labor and sacrifice to achieve the American Dream.

This land is our land too. It is not just for billionaires who are trying to buy our democracy, repress our living standards and our voice in state after state. On this Labor Day Holiday we proudly fight for our living standards and our rights to push for legislation and policies that raise wages and create good jobs for all workers.

Across Pennsylvania thousands of union members and their families will be celebrating Labor Day by joining their co-workers and friends to march in parades, enjoy picnics, and hold ceremonies to show that they are proud to be union members. Join us as we carry on this great American tradition which began over 100 years ago.

And remember to always buy union, buy Pennsylvania, buy American made products and services. It’s the most direct way we can save and create good jobs here in Pennsylvania and in the United States.

Source: http://www.paaflcio.org/?p=4480&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook

PA. AFL-CIO Welcomes New Legislative Director: Gabriel Pedreira

By The PA. AFL-CIO

– Gabriel Pedreira began his first day as the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO’s Legislative Director on Monday, August 18, 2014. He was named Director by President Bloomingdale and looks forward to meeting the many challenges we are facing as we continue fighting for policies that support Pennsylvania’s working men and women and their families.

Prior to joining us Gabe served for The Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) as the Communications Director for their Mid-Atlantic Regional Office. Prior to joining LIUNA, Gabe spent three years working for the Texas Organizing Project (TOP) in Houston, Texas.  Gabe also spent two years working as a Legislative Assistant for a member of the New York State Assembly. A native of New York City, Gabe received both his BA and MA degrees from the London School of Economics (LSE.)

Gabe, congratulations and welcome to the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO!

Source: http://www.paaflcio.org/?p=4464&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook