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

By The PA. AFL-CIO

– Protect The Middle Class, Oppose HB 1538

– Middle class wages have been sinking in Pennsylvania for too long, but some lawmakers seem to think they aren’t sinking fast enough! Rep. Miller has introduced HB 1538 which would all but eliminate one of the last wage protections that exist in Pennsylvania. This bill would allow any political subdivision or agency to opt out of the Prevailing Wage Act!

It is expected that HB 1538 will be brought up for votes by the full House next week! It’s time to make sure our lawmakers in Harrisburg know that we are still paying attention and that we reject the idea that legislating lower wages is any way to help the middle class in Pennsylvania.

Make no mistake, HB 1538 and other anti-prevailing wage legislation that was voted out of committee in the spring are not about saving taxpayer dollars. These bills would allow contractors to low-ball bids and complete projects with unskilled and underpaid labor, while pocketing more of our taxpayer dollars as profits.

To Contact Your State Representative and Tell Them To “VOTE NO” on HB 1538,

GO TO: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/contact.cfm?body=H

Source: http://act.aflcio.org/c/236/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=7178

By Vince Lattanzio

A Pennsylvania judge has halted the demotion of more than a dozen recently promoted Philadelphia Fire Department lieutenants and captains pending a court decision.

Five captains and nine fire lieutenants were set to lose their titles on Wednesday after being promoted over the summer following a legal fight with the City of Philadelphia, according to the firefighters union.

However, Court of Common Pleas Judge Ellen Ceisler issued an order Tuesday evening putting a stop to the demotions until Judge Leon Tucker, who oversaw the first legal decision, reviews the case.

The officers were given their new positions after the International Association of Firefighters and Paramedics Local 22 sued the city for stalling on a set of promotions. The union won the court case and the department promoted the officers based off of a pre-assigned promotions list.

However, the city appealed the decision, arguing that the fire commissioner should be allowed to make promotions at his discretion. An appellate court agreed and reversed the ruling on September 18.

During the appeal, the fire department administered a new round of promotion tests for the lieutenant and captain positions. Since the 14 officers had already been promoted, the union says, the department excluded them from consideration.

“It’s just not fair,” said Local 22 rep Edward Marks. “There was a test that was given in early June and a new list has been posted from the lieutenant and captain’s test. And the fellas that are being demoted tomorrow weren’t eligible.”

City officials dispute that claim. Mark McDonald, Mayor Michael Nutter’s press secretary, says a number of the officers took the new test — some didn’t finish and others either failed or scored poorly.

McDonald says the personnel changes are being made to select the “best and brightest” for the captain and lieutenant positions.

The department is now using that new list of candidates to fill those 14 positions.

City officials said they told the union and those being promoted to be prepared to lose their jobs should the ruling be overturned.

“They had the right to take the test, they understood that this was all conditional from the beginning, so whatever they decided to do was up to their individual decision and the council, probably, that they received from their union,” Deputy Mayor Everett Gillison said.

Union president Joe Schulle said his members were lied to and told there would not be demotions.

“I will tell you that the commissioner lied and our human resources director lied and anybody else involved in the process that told our members that they were not going to be demoted, that this would be in bad taste. That this is not likely to happen,” he said.

The union says the department has since changed the testing requirements for the officer positions and those who may be demoted would have to wait a year to apply for the jobs once again.

A hearing on the issue is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Contact Vince Lattanzio at 610.668.5532, vince.lattanzio@nbcuni.com or follow @VinceLattanzio on Twitter.

Source: http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Philadelphia-Fire-Department-Demoting-14-Officers-Recently-Promoted-225085842.html