– Philadelphia, PA – A 60-second spot airing on radio stations beginning today argues that Mayor Michael Nutter continues to balance the city’s budget on the backs of children and working families.

The spot is sponsored by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the national union of DC 33 and DC 47, which represent 17,000 women and men in Philadelphia who go to work every day to build a Better Philadelphia for All.

The spot follows a television ad released last week by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), which argued that Mayor Nutter’s policies have hurt public education in Philadelphia.

“Under Mayor Nutter, the number of city workers living in poverty has doubled,” said AFSCME DC 33 President Pete Matthews. “This is shameful and never in the history of Philadelphia have children and workers been so disrespected. His attempt to sidestep the collective bargaining process shows his disdain for the women and men of Philadelphia.”

“Mayor Nutter’s failed policies have cut vital services to the residents of this city who use them,” continued AFSCME DC 47 President Cathy Scott. “Because of his failures, library doors often remain locked and fewer people work in our recreation centers. It’s time for smart policies that put the people of Philadelphia first, rather than these policies that give tax breaks to large corporations on the backs of children and workers.”

City workers in Philadelphia have gone 5 years without contracts or wage increases, and suffered increases to their healthcare, attacks from Mayor Nutter’s administration and been forced into poverty. While both DC 33 and DC 47 have attempted to negotiate a solution with the Nutter Administration, he has gone to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to impose a contract that means cuts to vital services, wages reductions and less retirement security.

The radio ad closes with a call for the residents of Philadelphia to go to: www.abetterphilly.org to sign a petition to call on Mayor Nutter to stop balancing the budget on the backs of children and workers.

Dateline: Philadelphia, PA, Wednesday, September 4, 2013, 10:30 am
Source: AFSCME District Councils 33 and 47
Contacts: Kevin Hanes: 412-330-9930, Bob Wolper: 215-896-2970